A Story of God and All of Us Young Reade - By Roma Downey Page 0,25

trading routes, with deep valleys protecting it on three sides, and a constant supply of fresh water nearby.

David plans to conquer the city and give it a new name: City of David. Later

it will be known as Jerusalem. It is a name that honors God, for it means

"God is peace." The last part of the word is shalom in Hebrew.

In David's dream, he sees that Israel will finally know peace during his reign.

That will one day come to pass.

This ancient fortress is already occupied by the Jebusites. If David is to make the city his own, he must take it by force. The king of Israel has a plan to penetrate enormous and guarded walls.

Nighttime. David's torso is wedged inside a sewer pipe. He emerges into a larger tunnel and lights a torch. Soon, the rest of his army climbs into the light behind him.

The men crawl slowly through the sludge. They do not speak, and communicate only by hand signals. The tunnel soon opens up into a wider chamber completely

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filled with deep water. Their way is blocked by iron bars rising from the ceiling and extending down into the depths below.

Uriah looks at David and raises an eyebrow. What do we do next? he seems to be asking.

David simply hands him his torch and dives into the filthy water. A minute passes. And then what seems like another. Uriah and the others anxiously watch and wait, peering down into the muck to where the bottom of the iron bars might be. It feels like an eternity.

Suddenly, David surfaces and treads water on the opposite side of the bars.

"Come on."

Uriah hesitates. He's never been much of a swimmer, even in the clearest of waters. But to immerse himself in this filth and then open his eyes to find his way... the thought is repulsive. A glance at the other men shows that they are experiencing the same fears. "Leave the torches," David commands. With three simple words and a powerful tone of voice, he has reminded the men that he is no mere soldier. He is the king. And he must be obeyed. Uriah sets down his torch and jumps in. The quiet splashes of the other men soon

follow.

A passage leads from the sewer into the city's underground reservoir, filled with drinking water. David and the men happily immerse themselves in the cool, clear water, eager to clean themselves. They swim onward 100

through the cistern until a thin shaft of light plays on the water.

"A well," Uriah says with a smile.

David merely nods, his eyes searching the narrow stone walls for the one requirement vital to all wells: a rope. He spies it in the cleft between two rocks and swims for it.

Within ten minutes David and his men have all pulled themselves up the rope and out of the well. They are now inside the walled city of Jebus. They move quietly through the nighttime shadows. It is well past midnight, and the city is asleep.

Only when he and his men are in position does David yell his battle cry:

"Israel!"

David stands on the roof, surveying a model of his proposed temple in front of him. The sight is beautiful to behold. It is broad daylight. From his palace's rooftop terrace, he can look down into the courtyards of the many homes and gardens that surround its walls.

A man clears his throat behind him. "Your Majesty?"

David turns to see the robed prophet Nathan strolling tentatively across the terrace.

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"Ah, prophet!" David enthuses. "Look! My temple... for the Ark."

"I don't understand, Your Highness. You've summoned me to discuss... a temple?"

David beckons to him and points down to the small architectural model of his

glorious temple. It is stunning to behold, with towering pillars and the sturdy walls of a fortress. "The world has never seen anything like this, prophet.

The Lord will be pleased."

But if Nathan is dazzled, he does not show it. He stands still. Then he speaks in solemn tones. "The Lord came to me last night."

"And tell me: is he pleased with our work?"

"The Lord told me this: the House of David will rule over Israel forever."

"We are blessed," David exults, overcome with joy.

"Your son will be king," Nathan is telling him. "He will build this temple."

"My temple?"

"God's temple," Nathan corrects.

David's son is named Solomon. He builds the great temple in Jerusalem, just as Nathan prophesied. Long 102 after his parents pass on, that temple provides a permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant.

Solomon gains a reputation as the wisest