Lamb

Lambs

“Nathan, you have come to see me?” the king’s smile is tight as he looks at the prophet. His face shows no pleasure this time. Nathan is shocked to see the paleness of the king’s face, but he hides his concern in his bow before the king. He stands right in front of the king, looking at the older man. Time hasn’t been very kind to his king! The king slouches back onto his throne, leaning on an arm, his ginger hair hiding his hand. “Well, tell me what this is about, Nathan” impatience sounding through, eyes wandering round the large throne room. The king frowns a little, finding his heart beating restlessly. “Surely I have nothing to fear from this prophet,” the king clenches his fist, hidden in the curls, “After all, I have served God this year, haven’t I?” He can feel that dark corner in his heart stirring whenever he thinks of the Lord, a corner that he has kept locked up this year, ever since…well, that’s just it. Ever since.

Nathan leans forward a little, his usual calm stirred up about something, the king’s interest piqued. “You see, oh King, there are these two men in your kingdom,” he raises his hand as the king raises an eyebrow, opening his mouth to interrupt. “I know, it sounds like a case for your judges, but hear me out, oh King,” Nathan says hastily. “You see, it’s not just a standard dispute. Please allow me to continue, oh King.” The king shrugs, how could he argue with a prophet; after all, they both serve God, and Nathan has come especially to see him. His breath comes a little easier as well, he did wonder if Nathan would mention his youngest son, but it seems to be a dispute between two men. So the king nods at Nathan, whose calm voice carries on, “The one man is very rich, I won’t mention any names, but he has large herds of cattle and many sheep. Some of his sheep are on the far pastures, some are closer to his house, to make sure they always have what they need.” The king looks at Nathan, the frown still in place, relief in his eyes though, and Nathan continues, “He is an upstanding member of the community of course, with many contacts. His family is from a well known tribe, and he is known for hospitality.” Nathan pauses, looking at the king, noticing his eyes reflecting boredom. There are so many wealthy people around as it’s a good time in the kingdom. They have had peace in the country itself for a while now, so many inhabitants have extended their herds and flocks. Nothing special about that, and certainly not worth a busy king’s time.

“Near his house is a small cottage, with a poor family. They work hard, but they have very limited resources. The mother has not been well, and the man has several young children. It’s a happy family, making the best of their circumstances. Most of the time the father works for the rich landowner, who isn’t an easy man to work for. In all their struggles, this family have one thing they value above all else. One thing they do have in their poverty, and that’s a little lamb. The father loves this lamb, as he has brought it up by hand. They couldn’t afford anything else, and the whole family adores the little thing. It lives in the cottage with them and has been a source of great joy and comfort to them all.”

The frown has been replaced with a dreamy smile. Yes, King David knows about bringing up lambs by hand; the tedious, regular feedings, the wriggling lamb on your lap, its tiny feet dancing on your legs whilst seeking the milk. He knows the love a man can feel for this sweet creature. The special bond that will always be there, even when the lamb turns into a sheep, stubborn, wayward. He dreams back to the fields around Bethlehem, hears their quivering voices echoing around, feels their soft curly wool. Nathan inclines his head, knowing he now has the king’s ear, “You see, the man fed the lamb, allowing it into the house. It actually ate off his table, played with his children, and the man loved this lamb like a daughter.” The king nods, yes, he fully understands, and a sense of being a kindred spirit with the poor man grows in him.

“Well, King, the rich man had a visitor stay over. He wasn’t expecting anybody, the man turned up at an awkward time. Of course, a meal had to be prepared straight away.” Hospitality is of the utmost importance, the guest would have to be served. Any guest has to be served well, treated with respect and care. “The problem was, the rich man didn’t want to sacrifice any of his sheep for this traveller. He didn’t know him that well, and to lose a valuable sheep just to feed a stranger went against his business sense. So he went to the poor man’s cottage.” Nathan stops, as the king sits up in shock, guessing where this is heading!

“Yes, your Lordship, he took the poor man’s lamb, in spite of their cries and protests; deafening himself against their pleas, and used this lamb for the evening meal.” The king is outraged, his fair skinned face red with anger, his fists balled on the arms of his throne, dark eyes filled with fury.

“Outrageous!” His splutters in anger, “What a terrible, cowardly act! As the Lord lives, Nathan, that man shall be put to death, that is certain. He will restore the lamb four times over to the poor family, although nothing can replace their precious lamb, of course. To have such an outrageous act done in my kingdom! I will personally see to this, for the man has shown no pity to the poor family at all!”

Nathan stands there, quietly, his face showing none of the king’s outrage, as he slowly lifts his arm, pointing at the furious king, his words ringing round the deadly quiet throne room, “You are that man, oh King, it was you!”