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Chapter Text

"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat, sat and wept, as we remembered Zion.

There on the poplars, we hung up our lyres,

for our captors asked us there for songs, our tormentors, for amusement:

“Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

How can we sing a song of Elohim on alien soil?”

1-4 Psalm 137

~~~~

For many years, the purported Babylonian tablets recording the further giant slaying adventures of King David of Israel (United Monarchy) were widely regarded as fakes. In the interests of full disclosure, I was one of their chief detractors.(1) 

However, I must admit that these tablets are due new scrutiny with the recent translation of a set of Assyrian tablets presently stored at the British Museum, which both repeat and supplement segments of the Babylonian Giant Slayer tablets. 

Due to some elements within the Assyrian tablets, they may be dated to the reign of King Ashurbanipal between 669 - 631 BCE. That said, that particular king's habit of demanding that copies of any literature be sent to him for inclusion in his library means that it is possible that the initial version was written following the sack of Samaria and the subsequent deportation of 1/5th of the kingdom to Mesopotamia in 720 BCE.

While the Babylonian tablets, lacking provenance as they are, are difficult to definitively date beyond that they would have been written after the fall of the Kingdom of Judah to the Neo-Babylonian empire between 587/586 BCE.

While there are still numerous gaps in the story and many potential questions, this author believes the time is ripe for the publication of a translation that interleaves the two works and provide future scholars with an opportunity to discuss a previously unknown example of Judean iron age folklore. 

~ Percival Eddington Carmichael III

6th printing.

1983 edition.

Stamp - University of California Santa Cruz, McHenry Library

Chapter Text

In the springtime of the year, before the vines had begun to bud, a wild spirit came over King Saul and he would have nothing but that he went down in ecstatic prophecy from his capital in Gibeah to the city of Nob where he would make burnt offerings for the festival of the New Moon. He commanded that this procession be followed by musicians with many lyres, tambourines, and flutes. 

Queen Ahinoam preferred to stay behind for the good management of the palace. She sent with her husband their youngest, a daughter named Michal and with that daughter sent such brightly embroidered tapestries that would be fitting to display when her husband sat in state and much advice.(2)

Though Michal had been married to David, they had no household of their own. Therefore she was free to quietly follow the dancers in their wildly raucous celebration of the festival that came but twelve times a year and which the people of Israel were in those days willing and able to celebrate in the way that was sweet to YHWH.

Michal's place was that of an unmarried girl to recline on a cushion at her father's feet, while her father sat in state.  

Her thoughts like a bird in winter were often far flown even as her hands ever moved in threadcraft. 

She saw to it that the walls of the room where her father would sit in court were hung with the tapestries brightly embroidered by her mother's needle and thread. Even if those tapestries had been carved of alabaster, they could not have better depicted Saul's many victories desolating the enemies of Israel. Though they now lay in ashes, they are remembered by the needles that sewed them. 

In each, Saul stood taller than all other Israelites while enemies were slain, walls toppled and cities were cast into flames. Here were the bricks of the walls of Rabbath-Amon with their crenelated towers (3) that the Israelites with their iron chisels pried out so their chariots might flood in. There were the battering rams that the efforts of the Moabites had not thwarted with chains of iron. Flights of arrows fell on the Edomites like flocks of birds on seeds in a field. In the corner of each, vultures waited for their meals. 

But these images did not please Saul. On the wall above all of them was hung the sword of Goliath. As tall as a man and edged on both sides. 

No sooner had the burnt offerings for the new moon festival been completed, but what joyous exaltation had burned brightly turned now to ash.

Bitter was the edge of the anger of a king, who believed himself beset on all sides. 

No one was more troubled by this than Michal. She sent for her eldest brother Jonathan, hoping that the presence of a prince greatly beloved by his people would calm their father. That the trust of so good a prince would teach her father once again to trust. 

Instead Saul berated his son. "Why were you not the one to slay Goliath? Then men would sing the praises of our house! Then you would be known as the giant slayer. Then our line would be secured. But instead you cozen with the enemy."(4) As he roused to further anger, Michal dropped her spindle on the ground with a great clatter. 

She wailed that her thread had been mangled and so Saul did not do what they would all regret, but instead he berated Michal for her foolishness. Unfortunately, he asked to know where her husband might be.

Michal intended to answer that she could not pretend to know given how often her husband moved about. 

Unfortunately, Jonathan's heart was such that he wanted only to ease his father's heart and answered truthfully as he always did, "David was with me fighting for your kingdom in Keilah." 

Fast as a storm brings flood to the ravine, Saul sent messengers to bring David to Nob. He sent away all other musicians for only David would do to entertain him.  

When David arrived, Michal prayed that the sweetness of his playing would soothe the evil spirit in her father's heart. But it did not. 

So while surrounded by the ones she held most dear in her heart, Michal dearly wished they were all away. She spun wool from the sheep that grew fat on the grass outside the thick city walls and she watched her father from the corner of her eye. 

To be sure, everyone in the court watched Saul out of the corner of their eyes. Watched the spear in his right hand that he spun and tapped on the stone floor while the great sword of the giant Goliath hung in state on the wall. 

All eyes except David's. His eyes were closed as he plucked a sweet melody from a lyre and his mouth shaped words (5) that he didn't put to breath. But then, YHWH had chosen David, just as he had chosen Jerusalem, and therefore chose to intervene. (6)

A guard announced, "Your Majesty, three strangers seek an audience." 

Saul tapped the butt of his spear on the stone floor such that the sound echoed around the room. "Am I meant to pry their names from your lips? Am I the servant and you the king?"

"No, sire," said the guard in some haste. "Their names are Xanthe of the Oirpata, Piye of Kush, and Asim of Egypt."

Michal cast a glance at Jonathan to get his council at this turn of events, but her brother only had eyes for her husband. This was not unexpected. She knew that those two carried each other in their hearts like a river cares for the shore.(7) 

"Who then are the Oirpata?" The king tapped the butt of his spear on the stones with solid booms like falling towers.

"I am not sure, your majesty." The guard's voice did not quaver. "But she is most insistent on seeing Your Majesty."

On hearing that Xanthe of the Oirpata was a woman, Saul barked a laugh. "Very well, send them in." 

The first to come in was a barbarian woman of such unexpected appearance that the hall fell silent at her entrance. Xanthe of the Oirpata (8) was a squat muscular woman. She wore a red Phrygian cap and a felted brown tunic and trousers. She strode as a horseman does, bowlegged, but full of assurance. Her face was pale as cream and her cheeks bright red as if berries had been crushed to make the color. While her short curls were the color of fire. Her well muscled arms were bare and they seemed almost covered in embroidered cloth. But this was not so. Instead it was that her flesh was well decorated with fantastic birds and animals.

Asim the Egyptian's appearance was as mundane to Michal's eyes as the woman's was fantastical. For the presence of Egyptians in the court of King Saul was not uncommon in those days. He wore a pleated white cotton kilt with a wide leather belt and his body showed all signs of a life spent at leisure. His face was decorated with makeup in the manner of Egypt and likewise his head was shaved. He wore a close fitted blue cap marked with the image of a pyramid with an eye at the center. A symbol that had Abimelech the Levite shaking his head and whispering to the other priests. 

Piye the Kushite's appearance was also mundane. Though this was before the Kushites conquered Egypt, still men of Kush were not unknown to the kingdom of Israel. Piye was as slender as a curtain rod. Though no giant as Goliath had been, he was a full head taller than King Saul, who was no small man. His skin was as deep brown as the earth in the river valley near Assur.(9) Though his kilt was in the Egyptian fashion, over one shoulder he wore the skin of a lion. His other shoulder and arm were bare except for a brace that marked him as an archer and his boots showed the wear of one used to far ranging on foot. 

All three strangers knelt on one knee before the king as princes of foreign nations might do.

Xanthe said, "Great Majestic, I am Xanthe of Oirpata. These men are sons of kings as I am queen's daughter."

"As I am actually a king, get to the point!" snapped King Saul. As he spoke, spittle flew from his mouth. The evil spirit in him rode him hard. Red rimmed were his eyes and they burned nearly as much as the stitched cities on the tapestry covered walls.

Michal watched her father from the corner of her eye and kept spinning. 

"Oh, great and gracious king of Israel," began Axim with a sharp look from beneath kohl rimmed eyes at the spear in the king's hand. 

However, Xanthe stopped him with a slap to his shoulder. "Shush. I have gift for king." She stood, pulled a small golden cup from her pouch and held it out. 

King Saul was not impressed. "I have golden drinking bowls. I am a king. Trade comes to my ports and crosses my roads from many lands."

"This not for drinking." She went to one of the oil lamps and tilted it; capturing the flame for a moment within. The smoke that came from the bowl was thick and the color of a dove's wing. The woman placed her face over the bowl and inhaled deeply. She exhaled the smoke and her eyes held a strange shine to them. "Better than wine. You try?"

The court tensed with watching for when King Saul was deep in his cups, the evil spirit was even worse. 

All tensed except David, whose hands continued to pluck a sweet melody and whose mouth continued to frame words that he did not give speech.

But the most astonishing thing happened as the king breathed in. The spirit relaxed its grip on King Saul. They could all see it happen. 

Jonathan's eyes were bright with tears. His pure heart was full of hope that this time the mood would last. That they would get to keep their father for a few hours. 

Saul looked at his daughter. He smiled the way she remembered when she was a little girl and that smile plucked at her heart as surely as David plucked at the strings of his lyre. A melody played one too many times. 

Xanthe placed the golden bowl on the arm of the chair of state and stepped back. "Great King, giants have killed many in my land and burned what is in their path. So I am on quest for heroes to fight them. Have you such in your court?"

For a moment, Michal's heart stopped. That good woman felt her heart stop in her chest and she felt all the blood leave her face in a roar like a river at the word giant. 

However rather than react in rage, King Saul giggled. Sounding not unlike a loon in the marsh. "Yes, yes, we do." He waved at the massive sword of Goliath where it hung on the wall. "A mighty giant killer. A glorious giant killer. A man blessed by Elohim to smite giants." Tears leaked from the king's eyes as he laughed. "I was blessed once."

Normally this would be when King Saul threw a spear at David for his fame, or at Jonathan for failing to match that renown, but instead Saul laughed. Leaned and inhaled smoke, and laughed some more. 

Xanthe pursed her lips at this display and spoke words in her barbaric tongue. Only YHWH knows what she said. 

When the king finished laughing, she said, "Giants." She waved at that great sword on the wall. "To them, this is cloak pin. They burn with fire and bad air. They destroy whole tribes in way. Kill many Oirpata. Queen mother sent me because seers say they mean to wake father mountain. That I find heroes in south to fight them. Danger is great." She appeared to struggle for further words, until turning, she told her companions. "Explain more!" 

Asim took a prim step forward. "Oh, great king whose fame has spread even to Egypt, according to my maps and what Madam Xanthe has shared, the giants' father lives in Mount Nimrut (10) in the land of the Arrartu."

"I don't know where that is?" King Saul turned to his cousin, General Abner. "Do you know where that is?"

Abner shrugged and whispered to a Levite, who answered back. Abner said, "Far away. Beyond any kingdom we need to worry about."

"Why should I care about these giants if they're far away?" King Saul was by now listing to the right. Leaning over the bowl of sickly sweet smoke. 

"Your Majesty," said Asim, "The difficulty as Madam Xanthe has described it to us is that the giant in the mountain is the mountain. Chained to the earth in an earlier age of the world. Based on the stories she relayed, and correlated with my own knowledge, I believe that this is not the first time that this fiery fellow has attempted to break free. If my calculations are correct, and they generally are, the last time he woke it was some two hundred years ago. On that occasion, he cast a pall of smoke into the sky that covered all the land. This led to forty years of suffering. The rain did not fall. The crops did not grow. The sea people swept over the kingdoms of the earth and washed them away." Here the Egyptian smiled and buffed his own shoulder with his fingernails. "All but the kingdom of Egypt, though of course we left all the weaker in the world."

Jonathan's noble heart was lifted by Asim's words. By hearing of a great peril to all people. YHWH moved him to speech. "I would be honored to help you in this quest."

Abner said quickly, "Your Majesty, we cannot spare the crown prince. We have wars and battles of our own to fight, and those are closer to home." 

Piye smiled genially. A wide and brilliant white smile that took up all of his face. "I am a great hunter and have killed my lion. But I am also the seventh son of a great king and my name is not yet known. Those who face these giants and defeat them, their names will be as covered in glory as my father's kingdom is covered in gold." It was only then that Michal noticed that the Kushite's belt buckle was made of pure gold. Piye spread his hands. "If your first son is too precious to send, then perhaps a younger son if you have one. Though," here his wide smile grew even wider yet, "on his return you may find he will become the first son in the eyes of the people." 

King Saul's eyes grew crafty. "Jonathan is the man to go with you." He beckoned to Jonathan to come closer. "He will be a famed giant killer."

"Your Majesty," said Abner soothingly, as he moved the golden bowl away from the king, "This woman has traveled for many months, and surely through as many kingdoms. Yet her need is so absurd that all she has managed to collect as heroes are a petty prince and," his nose wrinkled, "an Egyptian scholar."

Asim drew himself up. "I'll have you know that I am a son of the Nomarch of Memphis and a priest of Imhotep."

The Levites in the room hissed. Abimelech the Levite boomed out, "False gods have no place here! This city is dedicated to Elohim and only Levites may make their homes within its walls."

"My investiture is more of a scholarly pursuit," said Asim in some haste. 

Xanthe held her hands tightly clasped behind her back. "Many I have asked and few have answered, but need is great." 

"We'll go with you," said David, putting action to words as soon as he said them as was his way. 

The medicine in the sickly sweet smoke held the evil spirit at bay. King Saul slumped back into his chair and didn't erupt when David spoke. "Jonathan, make sure you kill a giant." 

"Yes, father," said Jonathan, who straightened his shoulders as if he was dressed in his full armor tunic with his bronze helmet, and not a robe for court.

Xanthe glanced at Michal and made a flicking motion. "You want to come?"

Michal wanted nothing more in her entire life, but her mother had told her to watch over her father in his moods. Had counseled her often on her role in life. Her destined life was one of watching. Spinning thread. Weaving cloth. Doing what she could to redirect her father's flood. 

She was on the cliff of saying no, when David winked at her. 

YHWH spoke in her heart and she found herself saying, "Yes, I will go." 

She followed Xanthe out the door without sparing another glance.

She insisted, though the need to leave quickly was great, that they obtain what supplies they could from the priests of Nob.

Chapter Text

The party traveled along roads known to David and Jonathan from their many battles. (11)

Michal did not regret her decision to come with them. She knew that they were riding into danger, but she could not remember when she had had so much time with her eldest brother and with her husband. 

She was so much younger than Jonathan that he'd been a man full grown when she'd first learned to walk. David was her own age, but as often as he was with her, he was off again. 

However, she did not enjoy Jonathan's attempts to teach her to fight in the early evening by the last light of day. The spear he put into her arms was too heavy. Her body ached when she tried to hold up the shield. 

This went on until Xanthe said, "Start as child."

"I am a grown woman," protested Michal with some anger and much past pain.

"No." Xanthe sighed. She rummaged in her baggage until she pulled out a small hand ax. "This first ax. Gift of mother." She flipped this weapon in the air and caught it by the handle. With a deft flick of her wrist, she threw it to embed in a nearby tree. Next she pulled the heavy labrys from her belt. "This my weapon now. Start small. Grow big." 

"Yes, but you're a warrior. I am not," said Michal.

Xanthe shrugged. "If you teach me sew, start me on with big wall fabric or little stitch?" 

Michal had to agree that starting with the complicated end of things was perhaps not the best way to go about things. Certainly practicing with a knife was easier. After all, she knew how to cook. 

While she was cooking, David and Jonathan were hip to hip in conversation. Like two birds in a cote.(12) Each hour competing with each other to suggest great deeds that the other would accomplish.

One night, as Michal stirred the pot for their evening meal, Piye asked, "David is your husband, yes?"

Michal stirred the pot. "Jonathan and I share him.(13) I am the one that was married to him." 

"Very civilized," said Asim, darting a spoon forward before she was done with the broth, "I wouldn't have expected it of a tribe of Canaan."

Michal had enough pride in her people not to particularly care to be referred to as a Canaanite by an Egyptian, so she rapped his knuckles with her spoon. "I am an Israelite. You are the barbarians who worship false gods." Though she said it without the fire that Jonathan might have done, or as poetically as David might.

Just then, Xanthe breathed in deeply, put her finger to her right nostril, and snorted out a mighty gob of phlegm out of the left. The results of which she wiped onto her muscular arms.

"I think that we may all agree that Xanthe is the barbarian in our group," said Piye with a more successful foray for a lump of meat from the pot. 

Michal had too much softness in her heart over the care that Xanthe had taken to teach her knife fighting to agree to that description. 

The discussion might have become heated, but from the darkness, a child's voice whispered, "Is there room for one more by your fire?" 

Michal looked around. "Who's there? Are you lost, little one? Yes, come to our fire."

But it was a woman of middle years, who stepped out of the night's fold. "I am not lost. Been following that foolish spirit for hours. Woke me from a good nap she did and dragged me half across Canaan to find you."

Jonathan drew back as if someone had passed a foul odor. "Speaking with spirits is forbidden. The only guidance we should seek is from our lord Elohim."

Piye cleared his throat and Asim asked brightly, "Is there really a spirit? Ba or ka? Human shaped or bird with a human head?"

"You're silly," giggled the child's voice next to Asim, "and in great danger."  

"That's Tifti. I'm Zephaniah, a seer of Ein Dor," said the woman, sitting down heavily next to Michal.

"Witches shall not be suffered to live," said Jonathan, drawing his sword.

"I have heard your father's partial to killing my kind," said Zephaniah, "but I had to come."

Xanthe pulled her labrys. "Magic may be good to have when facing giants."

"All we need is faith," said David, "But my dear (14) prince," he moved to stand between the companions, "put your sword away. Even if Elohim were to prepare a table with our enemies, we would be protected. Listen to your heart," he moved to place his hand on Jonathan's chest, "Elohim has sent this woman here to help us."

"Damn straight (15) I'm here to help. Walked my butt off. The spirits made it damn clear I should get on over to some idiots burning a fire by a den of demons that fly by night and drink the blood of the living." 

"That cannot be good." Piye peered out at the darkness. "How do we fight these demons?"

"Are these demons bird-like, woman-like, or dog-like?" asked Amir. "Please be as specific as possible."

"What part of they fly made you think woman-like or dog-like?" asked Zephaniah. 

"Ah, true. Then I believe you may be referring to broxa (16). However, while they are attracted by firelight, I assure you good woman that I saw no signs of a broxa den, and I have read all eight books of the Thothinocra." (17)

"Scholar," Zephaniah held up an ’ōḇ(18), "I've had this my whole life and my spirit guide was damn clear. Clear as smoke. I can see them, but not hear them. While those around me can hear, but not see them." 

"My good Madam, I am a priest of Imhotep as well as a scholar and I assure you," said Asim, but his words were cut off.

"They're coming," whispered Tifti from above Michal.

Bumps rose on Michal's body as if a cold wind hurtled down from some snowy peak. The hairs on the back of her neck stiffened. She stayed small by the fire and fed it several more sticks. 

A dark shape with wings like that of a bat, but with great spines on its back dove out of the further dark and…(19)

…

…Now with Zephaniah's voice faltering, and the breeze biting at the markings that Asim had made in the dust, they all knew that it was only a matter of time before the broxa entered their camp.  

Jonathan looked at his youngest sister, who he felt charged to protect. He looked to where the one he loved as dearly as himself plucked at his lyre, helping to hold the creatures back with song. "They will soon be on us unless one of them leads them away. I regret only that I will not be there to fight the giants at your side, but if the creatures want for blood, then I will go and lead them away. " 

While he spoke, Michal poured all of the salt she'd taken from Nob, a great treasure gathered from the salt sea, into a water skin. She quickly shook the skin to make a brine. She considered her own skill in this area and handed the skin to Piye. She said, "Strike the broxa in the eyes with the brine." 

Piye wielded the water as skillfully as he did his bow. Where the briny water struck, the broxa shrieked and smoked. 

Michal wrapped her hands in thick wool and said to Xanthe, "Quick, help me throw the burning brands into the broxa's pit." 

Xanthe, though she was bloodied from a hundred wounds that spoke with open months, laughed. They threw the burning brands into the pit that had lain hidden beneath the brush. The broxa followed the fire into the depths. 

Finally, Zephaniah and David were able to grow silent. 

"How did you know to do that?" asked Asim. 

Michal looked at him. "You were the one who told me that the broxa were attracted to light. That salt could damage them. Though," she looked at the now cooling pot. "We'll need to eat quickly."

They ate in darkness and by starlight. They slept little that night. Never had any of them been gladder to see the rise of the sun. David might have sung a psalm in praise, but his throat was sore from hours of singing.

Still, Amir had a tincture to soothe throats. With his medicines and his skills gained as a priest of Imhotep, Amir tended their wounds. 

Though Jonathan declined saying that he would trust in Elohim. But with his many leaf armor, he had few wounds to begin with.

Michal was happy to have her own injuries cleaned and tended. Though she was more flustered than pleased when Xanthe announced, "I decide. Michal make plan to kill giants." 

"But David is the only one here who has killed a giant," protested Michal.

Piye rubbed ointment into his wounds. "I have killed a bull elephant in musth," which led to Asim questioning him about the phenomenon. 

Michal went to saddle the horses.

Xanthe followed her for the horses were hers, and she cared for them as she would for her children and kept their golden coats well curried. She repeated what she had said.

Michal tried to explain that it was not her lot in life to make plans for victory. Much could she hear her mother's voice as she spoke, and it must be admitted that she spoke with her mother's sharpness.

But Xanthe replied each time with calm curiosity. For her people's ways were very different from that of Israel. 

In the end, Michal agreed that she would attempt to make a plan to deal with the giants. Her heart well warmed with the complement of Xanthe's praise at her quick thinking from the night before.

Chapter Text

Having lost their supply of salt driving off evil spirits, they made their way to Tyre, which then, as now, was a great city of the Phoenicians. 

It was Michal's suggestion that they visit the markets upon the shore before making their way north along the coast. 

However, when they reached the market across from the island city, Jonathan and Michal had a quandary. For by prior arrangement, David lay with Michal when at court, and with Jonathan when in the field.(20) Until now on their adventure, sleeping as they had in a common tent, the question of sleeping arrangements had not come up. But now faced with a city with inns and hot baths to purify (21) them, Jonathan and Michal were uncertain just who should have the pleasure of David's company.

Finally, David laughed and clapped them both on the back. "Jonathan, you are awake as the owl at night. While Michal, you wake like a sparrow. It is simple. We will rent a suite of rooms. One for the two of you, and one for me. Each in your turn visit me, and my lord Elohim grant it, I will have the strength to please you both well." (22)

Alas, this was not to be. For word came that King Hiram, the ruler of that city had heard the children of King Saul, his mighty neighbor to the south were nearby, and he wished to invite them and the rest of their company to stay in the palace as his guests. 

A richly caparisoned ship was sent to the shore and they boarded it for the short journey to the island where the city was located. Though Israel had its share of ports and travelers, and Egypt and Kush were ancient in trade, still none of them were prepared for the cacophony of voices and peoples that thronged the streets. Where most cities were peopled like a flock of birds similar in plumage, this city was more like a marsh where a hundred sorts of birds may swoop and sing.

Seeing all the goods that were for sale, Michal couldn't help but wonder how her mother would react to seeing such a bounty. Most likely declare that it was forbidden without explaining why other than tradition. 

The party marveled even more as they came to King Hiram's palace at the center of the city. 

As the youngest of Saul's children, Michal had lived all her life in a king's palace and so thought that she was used to royal splendors. Certainly her mother had reminded her often enough of her obligations because of those splendors. 

But the king's palace in Tyre was as much grander than her father's palace as a cedar is grander than a reed. The high roof vaulted on the strength of the cedar of Lebanon. Well plastered walls arched up to high windows that let in both light and air, while below they were beautifully decorated with intricate tile, gold, and semi-precious stones. 

Upon a golden throne decorated with leaping dolphins sat a kingly figure of a man with a curling white beard and a diadem of gold and costly gems upon his brow. A jolly young man without a whisker of a beard served first wine to the king and then filled their cups.

There was only one spar to this picture of regal display. Michal had seen King Hiram's father, King Abibbal, many years before when he had come to meet with her father, and that fellow had been half the age of the man on the throne. However, it seemed unwise to say anything, so she kept her silence tight as a robe whipped by the wind.

Her husband was not so careful, but then the hand of YHWH was on him.  

David laughed. 

"What is so funny?" asked their server.

"That a king would serve wine to a servant," replied David.

"What do you mean?" asked Piye, gazing over the top of his cup. 

David did not have time to reply before Jonathan said in great earnestness, "David, you're more than a body servant. You are a leader of men. Brilliant in battle."

"Enough, my blushes need no fuel," said David.

While their servant, who was no servant, put down his urn. "What gave me away?"

David winked at the man, choosing of all times to be enigmatic.

The man sighed and held out his hand. The man on the throne got up and placed the crown in that hand. "Yes, I am King Hiram. Though few believe it when they come to my court." Hiram placed his crown on his head, which did appear to fit ill with youthful curls. "I had a wager with my adviser that you would take him for me given the chance."

"I noticed the truth," said Michal, but softly. So softly, her words were not heard.

Hiram asked what had brought them to Tyre. 

Amir started to answer, but David picked up his lyre and set the explanation to song. He included their adventures so far, such as they were. 

Hiram was greatly amused and proposed that they have a series of contests. If they won their contests, then he would provision them well. If they lost, they'd leave no worse off than they were now.

Since King Hiram had heard of David's skill with a sling, he summoned this or that person with skill in that area. David was by far the best at striking targets with his sling. Though he exclaimed when he saw that they used not mere river stones, but spheres of solid iron to strike objects. These were far more deadly than any rock. Those David competed against had their spheres stamped with salacious jests or the marks of their houses.

Here Piye jested that since David had two spheres (23), perhaps one should be marked with Jonathan's mark and Michal's mark as he served under their house. This jest was sufficiently merry to make Hiram laugh until tears ran from his eyes, but then Michal had noticed that the king was excessively inclined to be merry, and most importantly to be made merry by David.

But then, David had been formed to be charming by YHWH.

When it came to archery, it was of no surprise that Piye was the best. His great bow, nearly as tall as he, allowed him to not only fire arrows at great speed and accuracy, but a full length farther than any other bowman.

Though David did return the favor of Piye's earlier jest about the spheres with several jokes about thin arrows. However, Piye merely calmly replied, "The important part is hitting your mark."

To Michal's great embarrassment, Jonathan hotly protested that David always hit his mark.(24)

When Amir's turn came, he humbly begged to be challenged at tricks of knowledge, to which Hiram said, "Tell me the mystery of the great bull, and I will accept that you are the most knowledgeable." This Amir whispered in King Hiram's ear, and the king was satisfied.

Xanthe stood up. "I challenge all to ax throw!" But there was no one to take up the challenge, which was a great disappointment to her. However, though this was an island, and her own horses had been left on the farther shore, she was able to demonstrate several tricks upon horseback. 

Though when Hiram asked if she rode stallions in the saddle, Xanthe looked at him solemnly and swore on her mother's honor that she preferred to ride mares. Though she'd heard some liked geldings, she did not. "She may expect affection, but get much in return. While geldings do not care, and stallions," here she shrugged, "of no use to me."

This set off Hiram into still greater laughter. 

It was a very merry gathering.

Somewhere in this, Michal admitted to being very tired and wished to sleep in the room set aside for her use. 

Xanthe said, "Perhaps with you I go? Show you further tricks of the Oirpata?"

Michal was briefly taken aback. She was used to her husband's sword practice, but had never considered anything of the like for herself.

After a consultation with David, she accepted this offer and was greatly rewarded by it. (25)

Michal never did enquire if David and Jonathan entertained swordplay later on. (26)

As a result of these various exploits, Hiram fitted them out with many supplies. Even more, he gave each of them gifts. 

To David, he gave a sack of small iron balls, each the size of a walnut, and a great many jokes that had Jonathan blushing.

To Jonathan, he gave a ram's horn trumpet that emitted no sound when blown upon. 

To Amir, he provided a silver flute which similarly made no sound. 

To Piye, he gave arrows whose tips were said to have been made from metal that fell from the sky and fletched with feathers from the Bar Juchne(27), which would be impossible since their wings could eclipse the sun. Further the arrow barbs were as prickly as a burr and inclined to stick to any stone. So  Piye was only somewhat grateful for the gift.

To Xanthe, he gave a small riding crop with the sort of remarks that made clear that the walls of the palace of Tyre were hollow. 

Michal received a gift too, though she had competed in no games late into the night. It was a bronze lantern of intricate design. Hiram claimed that it had been made in the city of Ur in days long gone by. 

As they returned to shore, the companions wondered aloud if the gifts they had received were ones given to Hiram by kings of other nations. Unwanted things that he wished to pass on without appearing to reject the gifts. 

However, when Michal polished her lantern, she saw that hammered into its base were the four letters of the tetragram. (28)

Making her own quiet jest, she said, "Let there be light." The lamp lit itself obligingly with no more than that. Heart pounding, she said, "Let there be darkness." The lamp obligingly went out. She informed the lamp, "You are very useful," and resolved to keep it dry and well polished.

Chapter Text

So no more troubled by the attacks of goat legged men (29), the company rode quickly through the pass to the Horns of Dag and into a desolate valley by the restless sea. There they came upon a vast ruin. Walls yet seared with the marks of fire, but with full grown trees flourishing in the gaps. Buildings of well carved stone toppled and statues thrown down. 

Looking at a particularly ornate and soot blackened stela, Amir became puffed up with excitement. He pointed to the stone half buried in the earth. "Don't you see, we have come to the ruins of Ugarit. I never thought to see it as its location is not marked on maps, lest its fate fall upon the city of the mapmaker."

Xanthe was unimpressed. "Many ruins have I passed. In desert and on mountain. Through forest and by lake."

"No, no. This isn't just any city. Ugarit was a city of great wealth and culture. It was the Tyre of its age. Greater even because it had many centuries to reach that great height. It was a crossroads for all of the mighty empires before the great fall." Amir's voice took on an irritated tone. "Remember. When the father of giants last woke and cast ash into the sky. When the sea people came and swarmed over all the great empires of the world."

"Except Kush," said Piye mildly. When Amir looked sharply at him, Piye added, "Kush grew stronger as Egypt grew weaker."

"Be that as it may," said Amir, "it was a great city and now is lost." 

So may beloved cities fall, but some will be rebuilt. YHWH wills it. Just as YHWH wills that one day Babylon(30) be plundered in repayment for what it has done.

Jonathan scoffed. "What use are these ruins to us?"

But Michal's mind churned like a farmer working butter. "Could there be information about the giants that we face? Some clues that may help us to defeat them?"

"How much could they tell us?" asked Piye. "They fell to ruin and the mountain is far away."

"More than we know now," said Michal, her voice as sharp as a kitchen knife. 

"I agree with Michal," said Xanthe, moving to stand solidly at Michal's side.

Amir cleared his throat. "It was rumored that the weapons Yagrush and Ayamur(31), made by Ptah himself were kept in the palace of the king." 

At this point in the discourse, Amir would have begun a long discourse, but Jonathan interrupted him. "As useful to search for a cloud as it would be to search for weapons made by a heathen god for there is no god but Elohim." A beam of light cut through the clouds to shine upon the brass leaves of his coat of armor and illuminating his helmet of bronze.

"You keep your sword and I take magic weapon. There. Decided," said Xanthe, as she nudged Michal's hip.

"First we would need to find them," said Piye.

Asim pointed to a hillock. "In the libraries of Memphis, there are many ancient letters of correspondence with the king of Ugarit. His palace should be up there. Perhaps if we split up, we could cover more ground."

Michal said sharply, "That was how we were beset by the dybbuk (32) in the valley of the nine sisters (33). Can we not learn a lesson and not repeat the same error?"

So it was agreed that they would…(34)

…

 As they came to a fork in the passageway, Amir said, "By Imhotep's cap, what do we have here?" He tapped Piye's shoulder. Piye sighed and gave Amir a leg up to better examine the words written on the wall for a moment. "The passage on the left is marked with the word for treasure while the right goes to the king's counting house."

Michal raised the bronze oil lamp higher. The light cast from it shimmered on the passage to the right. "We should go that way." The ever burning lamp had not led them astray so far.

Xanthe sighed. "But…"

…

…"We should have followed the path the lantern set," said Michal for the third time. Though she winced to realize that she sounded exactly like her mother. A fact that was made clear when Jonathan gave her a sharp look.

Michal resolved not to distract him when he had to duck one of the flying serpents of flame presently swarming in the air.

"It's not all bad," said David as he swung the battle-maces yagrush and ayamur in mighty blows that struck a dozen snakes out of the air…

…

…The spindle spun in Michal's hands. Turning the light from the bronze lantern into a strong thick thread.

"What use is that?" asked Piye. 

"You have never had to work with wool if you ask that question," said Michal, working the spindle so another skein of yellow thread appeared. It was strong too. When she tested it, the thread did not break even when she put her full weight on it…

…

The fishing spear moved as if it was a part of Michal's hands, pushing forward to…

…

…Amir set down the silver flute. The worms did not begin moving again though, and remained where they were. 

"What are they?" asked Piye, peering at the hole in the solid stone that the worm had carved.

For once, it was Jonathan who answered, "It is a Shamir(35), created by YHWH before the first Shabat. Moses used the Shamir to engrave the breastplates of the priests. Their gaze can cut through any stone or metal."

"Actually, they eat," 

Amir was cut off in his statement by Michal saying their code word for when he should cease speaking, "Canaanite." 

Xanthe sighed over the remains of her beloved ax. Michal ached to see her so sorrowful. 

However, David seeing her distress, tossed her yagrush and ayamur. Xanthe caught the battle-maces in both hands and all frowns were gone. 

Michal quietly swaddled the Shamir into a woolen blanket and put them back into the lead container where they had been before Amir had set them free. She was careful as she put the container back on the shelf.

Having nearly died some dozen times, though Amir complained bitterly that they should keep looking for more records, Michal overruled him. 

She was more than happy to leave the ruin with their company still intact. If armed with many more weapons.

Chapter Text

At long last, after crossing rivers and mountains, the companions neared their destination. But in so doing, they came to know the giants were near their destination also. 

For those creatures had left a solid trail of destruction. Whether village or forest, whatever lay in their path was turned to ash. Though many had escaped into the hills and had much to say about the giants.

The headman of one village said, "If you go to face those creatures, you will die."

"Elohim willing, we will not," said David with a smile. 

As they rode into the next village, Tifti, the spirit who haunted Zephaniah's ōḇ, whispered like the wind, "Shamhazzai(36) is almost free!" 

Zephaniah (37) sighed. "The girl is not wrong. I can sense him shaking with a longing to break free of the chains that bind him." Her ōḇ  glowed with a green light, which in Michal's experience was never good.

As if to reinforce the urgency of the situation, the earth gave a quick and sudden lurch and the hills made a great rumbling sound.

From some distant ridge that they could not see, a puff of black smoke billowed into the sky.

"We need to get there faster," said Piye.

Asim rubbed his eyes. "We are going as fast as we can. This is the only way."

"That you know of," said Michal. She held up a hand in their agreed upon gesture to let Asim know that she meant no criticism. "Your knowledge, though extensive, comes from far away. Lets ask at the next village. They may know more."

When they asked, there was indeed a closer route. "Though," the old woman chewed on a sticky bit of sap, "you'll have to go past the skeletons."

Xanthe gave Michal's shoulder a squeeze as if to say that whatever Michal chose was fine with her.

"By all means, let us face the skeletons," said Michal.

They had to lead the horses on foot, the way was so narrow. Up a steep ridge and over into a narrow deep valley. 

The path skirted the edge of a shale hillside. At the bottom of the valley, there was a round lake that was a deep and silken blue. All scattered upon the shores of the lake were white bones. While within the shallow waters close to shore were yet more bones.

Xanthe drew her battle-maces and Jonathan his sword.

The skeletons lay on the ground as skeletons were often inclined to do. After a moment, Xanthe rubbed her head, dislodging her cap and chuckled. "Just skeletons." 

"So it would seem," said Michal. 

"Don't be so quick to judge." Zephaniah said, "We are far from that there lake. Closer, they would not be so quiet. Also, it will take us many hours to get around this place and we should not tempt the souls here by stopping. Unless you want to join those folks down there."

None of them wished to remain. Michal hung the bronze lantern from the curved tip of the fishing spear so that its light could guide their way. They walked all through the night and all that time the bronze lamp cast a sure and steady light upon the powder white trail. The wind whistled and cast up dust, but nothing attacked them. 

Amir started to tell them about the difference between a ba and a ka, but trailed off. Even his boundless desire to share knowledge was dampened by the relentless quiet of that place.

There was something about the cold that reached up from the valley below that made none of them inclined to do anything but walk quickly and away.

As dawn broke golden on the high mountain pass, they finally broke free to see the valley over which Mount Nimrut puffed ominous dark clouds. Between them and the mountain was a lake -- if no less eerie in its own way -- that reflected the smoking peak. The shape of that barren mountain was less that of a man than of a stack of hundreds of wings that by some trick of the light almost appeared to blinking eyes. 

This was of course no trick of light, but at their distance, the companions could not yet see this.

The lake also reflected the massive shapes of the giants. Any one of them was as tall as a cedar of Lebanon.  Each of them glimmering from rounded shapes in their flesh. Each of them slowly dug at the base of the mountain. One by one they were breaking the chains of the earth holding their father down. 

"Xanthe, I underestimated what you meant when you said you wanted us to fight giants," said David with a rueful air. 

"Those are not giants. Those are Nephilim!" Jonathan knelt upon the grass. "We must make a burnt offering and pray for guidance."

"Fascinating," said Asim. "I've read the lore about Nephilim, after all Egypt has an extensive section on Judean lore, but I'd never read that they were quite that large, nor that they glowed." 

For once, Michal didn't feel the urge to point out to Asim that mentioning the years of the servitude of the Israelite people in Egypt was perhaps unwise in present company. Mainly because she wanted to know whatever he knew about the creatures in front of them.

Under the circumstances, the idea of dropping everything to burn some offerings to YHWH seemed an excellent idea. Michal questioned whether YHWH would answer them outside of the land of Israel, but she made the fire while Jonathan and David prepared the offering. 

Michal had suspected that the giants were quite large from the signs of destruction that they'd seen on the way, but actually seeing them was another thing. 

Zephaniah prepared an offering in her own way.

Xanthe spoke quietly to Amir, who said, "Imhotep's not really that sort of god."

When the offering was made, the sky did not open up. YHWH did not speak in their hearts. None of them began to speak in prophecy. 

Amir's belly rumbled as loudly as the earth had done. 

"Michal, what shall we do?" asked Jonathan.

For a moment, Michal could only blink at him. He had always behaved as if Michal was his little sister, which was only true. This was the first time he had requested a plan from her. This was the first time since Xanthe had announced that Michal would come up with the plan that he had acted like he believed it.

Still, she felt uncertain. She looked at David, but her husband only shrugged. " I was planning on killing them with my new metal spheres." They all gazed upon the massive figures. "Maybe not the best idea. Though all things are possible with Elohim." 

One of the giants paused in his digging to grip a mighty cord of stone by its roots and flung it casually behind him. It landed with a solid boom. 

Trying to stop such creatures with a slingshot seemed a recipe for much destruction to Michal. Though she couldn't think what might work. If she had been other than who she was, she might have rushed in with no plan.

Instead she looked up at the heavens where the first birds of morning were loudly making their songs. She said, "Piye, could you catch a partridge or a pheasant."

"Is that part of the plan?" asked Jonathan, his much beloved brow wrinkling. 

"It's for breakfast," said Michal. "We have ridden all through the night without stopping. The horses are tired, as are we. I'm hungry and we'll do better if we go to face these things on a full belly." 

Soon the fire was crackling with the small game that Piye had caught. A rabbit rather than a bird, but it would do. Michal added some herbs that she recognized from some of Amir's instructions. Smiling to herself at all that she had learned along the way.  

As she waited, for what was cooking sometimes but waiting, she took out the spindle that she'd found in the ruins of Ugarit and the habit that her mother had instilled within her, she began to spin. Though it was only since going on this journey and obtaining the magic spindle in Ugarit that she gathered the earliest beams of morning light and spun them into the lightest and yet strongest of threads.

Xanthe sat next to her, as ever fascinated by the repetitive motion. Michal found herself telling Xanthe, "My mother often says that spinning is like prayer."

Jonathan said, "I've never heard her say that." He sat down on the opposite side of the fire. 

"You are not often in the women's spaces." Michal didn't look over at David, who, as was his own custom, had pulled out his lyre and begun a new melody of praise. 

It occurred to Michal that if this quest succeeded, she would go back to her old life of watching. Her hands didn't stop their spinning. They didn't stop the motion of a prayer to YHWH. 

A morning breeze ruffled at Michal's robes like a cat and her heart lifted. 

Piye asked, "Is it me, or have they stopped?"

"That one still digs." Xanthe stood up. Pointing to the farthest of the giants. But as she did so, the sun rose yet higher and the shadow of the mountain ridge slipped away. As the giant turned golden in sunlight, he froze in place.

It was in that moment that Michal felt filled with the certainty of YHWH. No manic prophecy as she'd seen come over her father, but more of a quiet belief that she understood what the problem before them was and it seemed to her the solution was one of sewing. 

David said, "We must go now. They are vulnerable." 

Just as Michal said, "We must go now, I know how to defeat them, but we must hurry to finish before nightfall."

The party needed no more encouragement. 

As they went, Michal asked Asmir to repeat the story of how the mountain was said to have been chained. He repeated the tale he'd told them at the beginning of their journey. That the creature chained to the earth, weary after a day of wicked deeds, had fallen into a deep sleep and while he slept the peoples of the earth, equally weary of his wicked results chained him into the mountain.

"We don't have any chains," protested Jonathan. "We'll have to fight." Michal could see in her brother's eyes the reflection of their father's command. His readiness to risk his life to try and gain respect that would never come.

"Chained him," Michal pointed to where the frozen giants were digging, "or stitched him?"

Xanthe grinned. "We have thread that Michal spin every moment." 

"But it is just thread," said Piye, "Strong thread, but thread."

"I am guessing that none of you have ever seen someone caught in a loom," said Michal. "Or a small bird caught in a strong spider's web."

"Those are not small birds," said Asim pedantically, but then he added a recitation of both fantastical stories and observations in nature of large things tied down with many threads.

"First we must topple them," mused David.

On that, Michal agreed.

As they reached the first giant, they realized several things. First of all, its flesh was a sort of granite. Secondly, they discovered that the glowing round objects all over its body were eyes of flame. Now closed against the sunlight.

"But we saw it moving," said Piye. "I know we did." 

"A creature that turns to stone in sunlight," said Amir. "Really that is not part of the Nephilim lore."

Driven by that feeling that had carried her this far, Michal commanded the bronze lantern to light. The light from the lantern showed a fine series of cracks where the giant's stone body met the stony earth. 

"Xanthe, strike at those cracks with your battle-maces. Jonathan," she knew he would have the courage and heart to be able to do as she requested, "blow upon the horn of Jericho.(38)  Elohim willing, the giants will fall as the walls of Jericho once did."

This they did, and as Michal had hoped, the giant fell with a great boom that would have had the horses running if Michal hadn't foreseen this problem and had Xanthe tie them down.

While Xanthe and Jonathan went to the task of toppling the other giants, the others set to work. 

On one side of the body of the giant, Zephaniah bound one end of a thread with her ōḇ to the earth, and gave the other to Piye to tie to an arrow with the tip of star metal. This he fired across the giant's body and into a ridge of stone. By the power in the metal, it became one with the earth on the far side. 

On the other side, Amir bound thread to the earth with some binding known to him. David then tied the other end to one of his metal spheres and it cast across the body of the giant, which Zephaniah then bound to the earth.

Through all of this, Michal spun more thread using light from both the sun and the lantern. 

In this way, they tied the first several giants down. 

But the hours of the day were creeping quick across the sky. Even with all the giants toppled, they had only bound three of them down, with some fifteen more to go. 

To move more quickly, they split up. Piye and Amir working on tying down one giant, while David and Zephaniah worked on another. 

Jonathan climbed up on top of another giant, and taking Xanthe's two battle-maces with some distaste, tied thread to both ends and dropped them to the earth. Michal used the fishing spear to sew the giant down, while Xanthe used her small hand ax.

They moved throughout the inching hours of the day, until the sun reached the far ridge and descended down with one giant entirely unbound. 

One by one the giants woke as the sunlight left them, each struggling at their bonds, but unable to break free as Michal had hoped and prayed. 

However, the unbound giant slowly stood up and seeing what had happened to his brothers went to help them. 

Jonathan drew his sword and called out to the giant. "Stand back giant. I will face you down and by the will of Elohim defeat you." 

Michal had no idea what plan could be in her brother's head. He was a tiny figure in the face of such a crushing force.

David, seeing what his dear prince (39) was doing, bend to take up rocks from the ground and flung them rapidly into the many glowing eyes of the giant. Piye seeing what David was doing, and not to be outdone, targeted eyes farther up. Each of them struck their targets. Not enough to blind a creature with thousands of eyes, but since they were standing far apart, enough to confuse it.

They were also enraging the creature and soon it would be too full of wrath to care which of them it crushed. 

Michal turned to Xanthe. "Can you ride your horse and blow upon the flute as you go? I would have you lead the giant back to the skeleton lake."

"I can fire arrow backwards while riding," said Xanthe by way of answer. After a quick embrace and three kisses (40) that left Michal short of breath, Xanthe got on her horse and set off. That she was blowing on the flute was evident for the giant turned and started in her direction. He lumbered after her in great steps. But though his legs were long, Xanthe's horse was bred for the wide vast plains of her people, for running days on end without stopping, and ran as fast as the wind whistled.

The companions followed on their own horses. 

They arrived at the pass into the valley of the skeleton lake not long after the giant. Xanthe dismounted from her horse and was making her way across the shale. The giant would reach her at any moment. 

But just then, Jonathan skidded halfway down the hillside and yelled. "Forget her. Face me. I am your doom. I will feed you to the wild animals of the field and the creatures of the air."

The giant took a step in Jonathan's direction.

David looked around for a suitable stone, but all were uneven shale. Piye was out of arrows.

Michal called out to Jonathan. "Blow on the horn of Jericho."

Thankfully, her eldest brother heard her. Even more thankfully, he listened. He blew on the horn and a mighty sound came from the horn. The giant swayed. Not enough to topple him, but enough to send him sliding down in the direction of the lake. 

Enough to purchase them some time.

But it did far more than that. For as his large foot touched the waters of the lake, the skeletons within swarmed out of it like white spiders. They tugged and pulled upon the giant until he toppled backwards into the water. The blue lake roiled for some minutes and was quiet. 

Michal presumed this meant that there was now a giant skeleton in the lake, but had no intention of checking.

Though Asim did wonder aloud if its skeleton was made of bone or stone.

Piye blew out a breath. "Now we are giant slayers."

Jonathan said with a downcast face, "I haven not slain any giants. I have sewn them down and mildly pushed one."

"To his doom," comforted David. "No one will know that you did not kill that giant with your sword." 

"I would know," said Jonathan with a familiar lift of his chin that told Michal that when they returned home, he'd tell their father nothing less than the exact truth.

Chapter Text

The thought of their return troubled Michal.(41) It was a stray thread that nagged at her all through the next night as they took turns watching to see if the giants would break free, which they did not. It was a stray burr that plagued her all through the next day as they took the precaution of spinning more thread and adding considerably more bonds to the giants until they resembled cocooned worms. 

By Xanthe's sighs, Michal knew that the thought of their return was on her mind as well. Amir was cheered to think of all he had to write down. Piye was full of tales he'd tell his older brothers. While Jonathan and David were already planning their next raids as if they were back in Zion.

Michal pulled the two of them aside. She said, "David, husband, you are in my heart."

"As you are in mine," said David with the ease that he always gave for words of love.

"You also have bound your heart to that of my brother, and that pleases me."

"As it pleases me that you have found some company in Xanthe," said David, reaching to take her hands.

Michal pulled her hands away. "But I have no household in Zion. I am like an insect caught in sap in my father's house. My mother's voice rings in my ears that I am a girl and not a woman grown." Jonathan opened his mouth in protest, but made none. "Zion is my home and may my hand wither if I forget her, but I would like to find my own way for a time. Go east to find a freedom that I may not find in my father's house." She looked to where Xanthe was standing close by with the horses. "With my dearest." (42)

Jonathan might have told her not to be foolish, but David stopped him with a kiss to his cheek and a kiss to hers.

And so when they reached the port city of Byblos, Michal and Xanthe headed to the north and east while the others took ships back to Israel or Egypt. 

Michal and Xanthe journeyed until they came to the land where the Oirpata roamed the great grass sea. There they lived for many years among the horse drawn carts of the Oirpata. In her time, Xanthe became queen of her people. Michal was made a queen in her own right, and many came to her for her wisdom was renowned. Michal spinning with the spindle by the light of the bronze lantern kept Israel in her memory even in her happiest hours. But was well pleased with the freedom that she'd found.

When word came from the port towns to the south that David and Jonathan (43) were kings of Israel, Michal sent them both robes of sunlight, but she opted not to return. Preferring to remain with the Oirpata and her queen.

Chapter Text

The companions returned to familiar lands.(44)

In Tyre, they were once again entertained at the court of King Hiram, who was much amazed to learn that not only were his gifts of use, but had been critical for the defeat of the giants.

A bittersweet reunion, because in Tyre, Piye and Amir bid farewell to their companions, and caught a ship that would take them more quickly to Egypt and up the Nile to their homes.

While the others rode across the land and into the kingdom of Israel. 

All but Zephaniah, who opted to remain in Tyre rather than return to Ein Dor.

So it was that on their return to the court of King Saul, many months later, Jonathan recounted their adventures to his father, who said, "Again, you've slain no giant. Go. See if you can kill Philistines that plague our people instead." 

While Michal went to see her mother in the women's quarters. 

Queen Ahinoam scolded Michal roundly for leaving her father without anyone to sooth his tempers. She scolded Michal for going on a foolish adventure when she had obligations at home and to her father's house.

Michal kissed her mother and said, "Mother, I am a woman grown and married. I have decided to setup a household near to my father-in-law's people." She took Xanthe's hand in hers. 

Her mother was scandalized to think that Michal would prefer a tent to a palace, but it was so. Michal would not let herself be swayed from her path and took up a new home  herds of horses in the rugged hills above Bethlehem.

Those horses that were much prized by the men of Israel. Though Xanthe would only sell them to David or Jonathan. While the thread Michal spun from light was much prized by the women of Israel. Though Michal always gave that thread away to those who had need of it. Though she made the merchants from Tyre pay dearly for it. 

If they were occasionally troubled by Philistines and Edomites and Moabites and such, Xanthe dealt with them quickly with her battle-maces. 

So they lived for many years in the rugged hills above Bethlehem until such time as it was necessary for Michal to take up her duties as the first wife of David and queen of Israel in Jerusalem. That Xanthe went with her as a handmaiden was such a scandal that no one would speak of it. That Michal had no children with David was of no matter. Her husband had many wives, and she and her handmaiden were quite busy maintaining the king's stables.

Chapter Text

(1)  "Why the Giant Slayer Tablets are a Fake", Modern Antiquarian , 20 Sep 1961, pp 3-5; "Why Provenance is Important", Archeology Today , 13 Aug 1962, pp 6-12; "Improbable!", The Journal of Babyalonianolgy ,  9 Mar 1963, pp 36-37; "Feminist Poppycock, Not Midrash!", Insane for Assyriology , 20 Jun 1965, pp 82; "No Time for Fakes!", Dig It , 2 May 1966, pp 125.

Note in dark blue pen, "Dude, you like had such a hard on about these tablets. Yeesh, what a dick."

(2)  Queen Ahimoam is referenced in both the Assyrian and the Babylonian versions, but only by name in the Babylonian version. The lines about the tapestries here and further on are omitted in the Babylonian tablets. 

(3)Many of the details described in these carvings bear a resemblance to scenes carved into the alabaster carvings found in the palace of Ashurbanipal in Nimrud, throne room B. Since this is the same palace where the Assyrian tablets were found, it is likely the individual responsible for transcribing this story was at least familiar with these carvings.

Note in red pen. "Israelite in the court of the enemy. Eunuch? Woman? Daniel?"
Note in dark blue pen. "Dude, Daniel = captive of Babylon. Not Assyria." 

(4) Presumably this is a reference to Jonathan's oft referenced deep friendship with David.

Note in red pen. "They were boning."

Note in light blue pen. "Hallelujah."

Note in dark blue pen. "The minor fall, the major lift, the Baffled king composing Hallelujah ~Leonard Cohen"

(5) In the Assyrian version, the word here is song.  

Note in red pen, "And you went with words."

Note in dark blue pen. "Everyone's a critic."

(6) This sentence is included in the Assyrian version, but not the Babylonian one. Presumably because at the time it was written, Judah was yet a kingdom. 

(7) In the Assyrian version, the line is, "like a grape vine caressing an olive branch, their hearts bore fruit for each other." Clearly a reference to the great friendship between Jonathan and David.

Note in red pen, "My brother in Christ, they were boning."

Note in dark blue pen. "Uh, Jewish."

(8) According to Herodotus, young men of a Scythian tribe called the Oirpata, meaning man-killers, went on to form a separate tribe with the Amazons.

Note in green pen, "Neato."

(9) The Babylonian text refers to Babylon, rather than Assur.

(10) This section of the Babylonian tablet is damaged. Though it appears that the reference may be to a mountain in the land of the Parsa. 

(11)This section is entirely from the Babylonian version, and there is no parallel text in the Assyrian version.

(12) Another sign of the great friendship between David and Jonathan.

Note in red pen, "Boning!"

Note in green pen, "They could have been *really* good friends. Nah, they were doing it."

Note in purple pen, "Birds in a coat?"

(13) This line has led to some speculation that there was mistranslation between the oral story and when it was written down in Babylon. Since David was known to have multiple wives, this may be what the oral storyteller was attempting to convey with this line.

Note in purple pen, "lol oral."

Note in dark blue pen, "So mature, you're in college."

(14) This word could also be translated as beloved, but this word is more likely.

Note in red pen, "Dude, you are killing me."

(15) The word used here is straight as in something smoothed straight with a plane or file. 

Note in red pen, "The only straight thing."

(16) Boxa are a figure in middle eastern folklore. A vampiric creature that drinks bodily fluids from goats and humans. 

Note in green pen, "neat chupacabra"

(17) This work is unknown in Egyptology and may refer to a lost text.

(18) This word may mean talisman, wineskin, or familiar spirit. Though contextually this would appear to refer to a physical object. 

(19) There is a break here in the text.  

Note in red pen, "No shit, Sherlock."

Note in green pen, "noes! want to know!"

(20) This would seem to indicate an agreement on Michal's part that her brother and husband should do what they can to stay warm while fighting the Philistines. 

Note in red pen, "I am not dead!"

(21) The word here may be purify or cleanse.

(22) This passage is the subject of much prurient speculation. However, given the reference to baths and purification, it may be that they are referring to some form of religious ritual that was so commonly practiced in the era that the writer felt no need to explain it. 

Note in red pen, "Oh! You knew. You just didn't want to admit it."

Note in green pen, "agree!" 

(23) With the new evidence of the provenance of this story, this would be the earliest known instance of metal spheres used by slingers and a further indication that at a very early point, slingers would mark their spheres.

Note in red pen, "Dude, balls of steel."

Note in dark blue pen, "Balls of iron! In name of age!"

Note in purple pen, "cool"

Note in black pen, "feel like in Shakespar class~ totes dick jokes"

(24) Presumably Michal, as the incident in 2 Samuel 6:14-22 demonstrates, much given to formality in royalty, felt it was beneath the dignity of Jonathan to remark on David's well known marksmanship.

Note in red pen, "Or like, David is great in the sack."

Note in dark blue pen, "Would explain things."

(25) Perhaps the two ladies of the party took that as an opportunity to discuss horses, as young women are well known to be horse mad.

Note in red pen, "Back to homicide my dude in Christ."

Note in dark blue pen, "Once again, wait no, I know the dick who published this. Dude in white sliced bread Christ." 

Note in green pen, "oooh, X&M r in <3"

(26) It is rank speculation, but perhaps this means that David and Jonathan put on a show of Israelite fighting techniques.

Note in red pen, "Bone. Bone. Bone."

(27) The Bar Juchne, like the leviathan in the sea, is a massive bird from middle eastern folklore.

Note in green pen, "cool"

(28) YHWH, some scholarship relates YHWH to verbs meaning "to be", "to exist", "to cause to become", or "to come to pass".

(29) The phrasing of this sentence indicates that there may be a missing part of the story. Lacking that section, it is unclear what meaning we are to take from the phrase goat legged. This may have been a contemporary aphorism, such as referring to a drunkard as legless, or literally mean that the party encountered some tribe of men with legs as hairy as goats. 

Note in black pen, "Given satyrs, probs both." 

Note in dark blue pen, "LOL, Seders." 

(30) This section is missing in the Assyrian texts. 

Note in red pen, "Revenge!"

(31)The weapons yagrush and ayamur were made by Kothar-wa-Khasis, a godly smith of the Ugaritic people and appear in the Baal Cycle. Kothar-wa-Khasis was seen as a parallel to Ptah.

Note in green pen, "cool"

(32) Dybbuk is a type of evil spirit in judean folklore capable of possessing a living person. 

Note in green pen, "nasty"

(33) This would appear to be another reference to a missing passage.  

Note in light blue pen, "Right on Michal! Don't split the party!"

(34) The rest of both sets of tablets are badly damaged with only fragments remaining. 

Note in green pen, "oh noes!"

(35) Shamir are referenced in rabbinical commentary as either a worm or a substance that has the power to cut through or disintegrate stone, iron and diamond. King Solomon was purported to have used shamir in the place of cutting tools to build the first temple.

Note in light blue pen, "Don't get it."

(36) Shamhazai is a fallen angel referenced in the apocryphal book of Enoch. The earliest versions of which date from around 300-200 BCE. 

Note in green pen, "neat"

(37) This represents the reappearance of Zephaniah in the text. Though why she has been missing since the 2nd tablet is unclear.

Note in red pen, "Writer forgot her."

Note in purple pen, "Erased from the narrative by the patriarchy."

Note in light blue pen, "Or she is there, but not included in this translation for reasons."

(38) This would imply in one of the missing parts of the story, the companions discovered that the ram's horn trumpet they received in Tyre was the one used by Joshua to destroy the walls of Jerricho.

Note in green pen, "neat"

Note in black pen, "know other word?"

(39) The Babylonian version uses the word beloved. Another reference to David and Jonathan's dear friendship.

Note in red pen, "I am re-deaded!"

(40) There may be some lost cultural significance to three kisses.

Note in red pen, "Yes! Boning!" 

Note in dark black pen, "Technically not."

(41) Here we have a variance in the endings. The Assyrian ending.

Note in light blue, "What?"

(42) This text posits an apocryphal fate for Michal in sort of sisterly compact with a female friend. 

Note in red pen, "What was your deal?"

(43)That an Israelite taken into captivity into Mesopotamia would rewrite the fate of Michal into becoming a queen of a Scythian tribe speaks to the martial dominance power of the Scythians at that time. While it is rank speculation of the sort this writer abhors, perhaps one might imagine that the Israelite source of this tale was sent with Princess Seru-eterat of Assyria as part of her bridal party to Scythia and that this tale was one sent back as a present by the princess, who was sufficiently known for her literacy to chide her sister-in-law on the subject, to her younger brother, King Ashurbanipal.

Note in green pen, "neat"

(44) The Babylonian ending.

Note in light blue pen, "Just me, or iron age DND?"

Note in black pen, "not just u"