Biah 2nd Drafts

The New Samaria City, Samaria, Israel, 876 BC Obadiah took in the smell of roast mutton that wafted in from the kitchen of the new King Jeroboam Inn. From across the plaza, the shouts of workmen building Omri’s palace mingled with the ping of hammers and the ffft-ffft of saws. The open door let in … Read more

12b Queen 867 BC i [A lot could be added to his from the old chapter that showed A&O arguing about Jezebel on while they ate cucumbers and the guards raised eyebrows.] Samaria City, Samaria, Israel Obadiah stood next to a pillar in the open city gate. With one hand he shielded his eyes from … Read more

Obadiah stared. Had Jehu’s men discovered them? Shiphrah’s husband tiptoed toward the ladder, his field hoe circling high as if he were eager to chop the head off a snake. 49. Escape 842 BC En-Gannim, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah pushed Yedidah into Shiphrah’s tiny room. “Stay back.” They should have pulled the ladder up onto … Read more

“Your old friend Jehu’s got a list of new enemies, and you’re at the top. Angels had to drag Lot out of Sodom, and I smell fire and brimstone.” Zak yanked Obadiah to his feet. 46. Who Is On My Side? 842 BC The Bakery, Fort Jezreel, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah scowled as Zak guided … Read more

Obadiah stood. Syrian scavengers were scouring the battlefield, killing wounded Hebrews and stripping the dead. He must carry his king and his people home. 43. The King Is Dead 8?? BC Ramoth, Gilead, Israel Obadiah stood in the deepening dark and found Jehu. “General, our troops are scattering to their own homes. But we need … Read more

Acknowledgments Steve Critters

21. Keren i 864 BC ii Gera’s Courtyard, Samaria City, Samaria, Israel Obadiah asked Gera, “How long did Liev manage olive groves?” Gera pursed his lips. “Mmm … seems like he worked the groves with me for six years.” Obadiah turned to Zak “You know, if Liev found woolly worm or black scale, he showed … Read more

14 Facade 864 BC i The Stables, Fort Jezreel, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah led a horse out of its stall and waited in the aisle. The stable boss—the boy Ahab had slapped—to join him. He had grown as tall as Obadiah and owned full biceps and a thick black beard. “You’ll be back in a … Read more

Obadiah stepped down, lost his footing, then stumbled through the gate on the left. At the far side of his family courtyard, a fresh mound stood by the corner of the house. He knelt and sifted a handful of dirt through his fingers. I should have been here for my father. The ladder rattled against … Read more

50. Author’s Notes (I’m not sure the book needs this page. These issues are good fodder for blog posts, and maybe that’s all they need to be.) So, what are the facts? Or what really happened? Or how did Obadiah’s life really go? 1. The Age of Marriage Did Obadiah and Ahab marry as young … Read more

Obadiah stared. Had Jehu’s men discovered them? Shiphrah’s husband tiptoed toward the ladder, his field hoe circling high as if he were eager to chop the head off a snake. 37. Escape 842 BC En-Gannim, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah pushed Yedidah into Shiphrah’s tiny room. “Stay back.” They should have pulled the ladder up onto … Read more

No doubt this Shiphrah person would toss his head over the wall to Jehu just as the wise woman of Abel threw the head of Sheba to Joab. 48. Heads 842 BC Megiddo-Beitshan Road, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah held his nose and breathed through his mouth for what seemed like two weeks. The cart finally … Read more

“Your old friend Jehu’s got a list of new enemies, and you’re at the top. Angels had to drag Lot out of Sodom, and I smell fire and brimstone.” Zak yanked Obadiah to his feet. 46. Who is on my side? 842 BC The Bakery, Fort Jezreel, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah scowled yet allowed Zak … Read more

While Zak stood and watched through the slits, he sipped wine, nibbled bread, and spooned soup from a bowl on the windowsill. “Here she comes.” 47. Cart 842 BC The Bakery, Fort Jezreel, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah stood and set his plate on the table. The borrowed robe left his knees naked, so he stooped, … Read more

31. Threat 860 BC The Palace Terrace, Samaria City, Israel Beside King Ahab, on the palace terrace, Obadiah waited for dawn. Smoke from a thousand campfires mixed with the murmur of troops and drifted over the balustrade. Above the eastern mountains, stars faded, while around the plaza, the rapid twitter of robins announced sunrise. In … Read more

23. Misliya i Market, Megiddo, Israel 864 BC ii Obadiah stole a glance at Yeskah. Why was his sister-in-law allowing her daughter to direct? He gripped Yedidah by the hand and looked up. “Lord, please send Ruthie the right helpers.” “Amen” came from Ruthie, the sisters, and the guards. Ruthie jumped into the middle of … Read more

22. Do You Pray?i Gera’s Courtyard, Samaria City, Samaria, Israel 864 BC ii Obadiah raised a palm and shoved the young guard’s words back at him. “You can’t stuff people into a hole in the ground. You heard Hiel in Jericho. It’s narrow. Wet. Cold. No air.” Zak nudged the guard. “Go ahead, tell him.” … Read more

Obadiah sat bolt upright. A few words to Jezebel, and Hiel could turn their family into enemies of the state. 17. The Cave of Gilgal [buildi] 864 BC Jericho, Manasseh, Israel Obadiah scrambled to his feet.ii “Zak, we’re leaving. Now.” He took Yedidah by the hand to help her to her feet. They would ride … Read more

He belonged with Ahab. Although he hated Baal and Asherah, his place was with the king. He stood, cupped Tola’s cheek, and kissed his mother’s forehead. “Will soon be light. Better get some sleep.” 10.3 Sanctuary 864 BC i The Market, Fort Jezreel, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah crouched at the edge of the Fort Jezreel … Read more

16. Jericho B4 Hiel.docx Obadiah 1947 words “Wait, please.” Hiel called. He loped over to the chariot and tipped his huge head up toward Obadiah. “Come. Please come visit us in Jericho. It’s … it’s important. And, like the king says, bring your wife.” 16. Jericho 864 BC The King’s Highway, Manasseh, Israel Obadiah stopped … Read more

45. Fire and Brimstone 842 BC The Headquarters Roof, Fort Jezreel, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah closed his eyes against the afternoon sun. He lay on the northeast corner of the headquarters roof next to Yedidah. Twitching a smile at her soft snore, he tugged his headscarf over his eyes and snuggled deeper into his couch. … Read more

While the three [ Obadiah, Hiel, and Jehoshaphati] knelt in the brilliant sunshine and worked loose the knots which held Ahab to his chariot, General Jehu came down the stairs with women, children, and young men surging around him. 44. Burial Obadiah’s fingers froze on the knots as he searched the faces around Jehu for … Read more

Obadiah turned to Jehoshaphat. “Please, my king, lead us home.” 48. The King Is Dead 8?? BC Ramoth, Gilead, Israel Obadiah stood with his hand on Ahab’s chariot. As the screams and the clashing of steel faded with the light, the moans of the wounded rose from the darkness. Obadiah scanned faces in the grove … Read more

42. The Battle at Ramoth 8?? BC Ramoth, Gilead, Israel Obadiah rode between the two kings, Ahab and Jehoshaphat. Ahead of them, the tread of infantry shook the earth, while chariot horses and mounted archers clop-clopped behind them. They followed the Jabbok River Valley toward Ramoth. Ahab waved toward the circling vultures and red-tailed kites … Read more

39. To Fight or Not to Fight 8?? BC Plaza, Samaria City, Israel Obadiah entered the aroma of roasting beef and mutton at the city gate, followed by his bodyguards. On the threshing floor, he turned away from the harps and lyres and threaded through the happy, gossiping crowd to the potter’s shop. With his … Read more

37. The Lettuce Murder 868i BCii Naboth’s Vineyard, behind Fort Jezreel, Israel Obadiah shut the headquarters back door and led several bodyguards and the king between the onions and the cabbage. How could Ahab think sackcloth gave Ben-Hadad the right to negotiate? Obadiah shook his head. Ahab lacked the political instincts of his father. The … Read more

“You know that long, skinny entrance to Tirzah Valley.” 34. Counterattack i 868 B.C. The Plaza, Samaria City, Israel As the sun reached the top of the sky, Obadiah waited on the threshing floor while Hiel marched out the gate leading one hundred junior officers. Each carried a sling and a pack jammed with round, … Read more

Obadiah rolled his eyes. This child thought he heard military strategy from on high. 33. Commandosi [Steveii] 868 B.C. The Plaza, Samaria City, Israel Obadiah groaned. They needed ten thousand chariots and three hundred thousand spearmen, but Gera had brought them a singer of psalms. Ahab pinched Mikayhu’s cheek as if the boy were his … Read more

HEREi [Contextii] [GGiii] 36. Mika’s Not Singing 868 BCiv Fort Jezreel, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah opened his apartment door. “What’s up?”[modern] [Settingv] Zak stood in the hallway. “It’s Mika, sir.” “Can’t the stable boss take the boy’s singing?” vi “Um, Mika’s not singing. He’s begging for someone to kill him.” He led Obadiah out the … Read more

30. Invaded 860 BC Fort Jezreel, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah held Yedidah tight and nuzzled her hair. Her voice vibrated his chest, but his robe muffled her words. Three weeks ago, scouts reported the Syrian army was mobilizing in Damascus, and spies said the troops chattedi about this opportunity to see the Jordan River Valley … Read more

A tall boy with cheeks untouched by whiskers sauntered behind Gera. Messy brown curls escaped his headscarf and bobbed to a beat as if he were singing. 32. A Thrill of Hope 860 BC The Plaza, Samaria City, Israel Obadiah turned toward the city gate. “Gera!” A boy followed Gera. i The noonday sunii showed … Read more

’29. Fire [cavesi?] 861 BC Mount Carmel, Israel Obadiah smoothed the front of his tunic as the sun edged out over the Great Sea. No clouds were forming from the sea for the early afternoon shower. Showers had stopped when the boy closed the sky. The surface lay calm, with only a few ripples from … Read more

Obadiah covered Ahab’s hand with his own. “I’ll notify the tribes, my king.” 28. The Tribes Gather [cavesi?] [Bible lines?ii] 861 BC Mount Carmel, Israel Obadiah stood with Ahab and their bodyguards, surrounded with the murmur of the crowd at the south edge of the crest of Mount Carmel. On Obadiah’s right, Elijah and his … Read more

26. A Few Blades of Grass [cavesi?] 861 BC Fort Jezreel, Jezreel Valley, Israel Obadiah strolled beside Ahab through the fort gate. The two wore their signature white robes and purple headscarves. Ahab draped an elbow over Obadiah’s shoulder. “Come help me find grass.” A hoopoe called from the turret then fluttered down and landed … Read more

“If you hold back. If you don’t deliver those who are drawn unto death, about to be killed. If you say, ‘Look, I didn’t know’—doesn’t the one who ponders hearts see? He who holds your life, doesn’t he know?” 20. A Time to Mourn 864 BC Gera’s Courtyard, Samaria City, Samaria, Israel Obadiah sat with … Read more

864 BC The veranda of Gera, the grove manager, Samaria City, Samaria Obadiah retreated from the parapet. He must have heard wrong. They couldn’t put Liev in the ground. Not right away. Keren hadn’t heard his song. His sons needed his hand on their shoulders, his counsel in their ears. And the child who had … Read more

Tipping his head toward the children stumbling into the alley, Obadiah raised an eyebrow toward Hiel and touched Ahab on the wrist. “Please, my king. What goes on behind the temple?” 15. Behind the Temple 864 BC i The Plaza, Samaria City, Samaria Obadiah clapped Ahab on the shoulder. “Bring your guards. Give the elder … Read more

18 Pickles B2.docx Obadiah 1711 Words 18. A Jar of Pickles 864 BC The veranda of Gera, the grove manager, Samaria City, Samaria Obadiah filled his plate and glanced around the veranda. Although the sun still hid behind the mountains of Gilead, the dim light showed Gera at the far corner of the parapet. From … Read more