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Upper Egypt
10th Century BC

 

Menelik stood on the shore of the Red Sea, staring at the horizon as he shielded his eyes, the firstborn sons of Jerusalem nowhere to be found. It was curious, what had happened, and he had no explanation for it. The sails of all his ships were full, the oars barely used the entire journey, yet the wind had failed the others.

Why?

Travel by sea was a novelty for him, but the captains of the vessels they had hired seemed as perplexed as he was.

Yet that wasn’t what concerned him the most. It was what one of them had shouted, something he must have heard incorrectly.

You have the Ark of the Covenant.

He must have misheard the man, yet he was certain enough that he hadn’t, to order the boats to unload on an abandoned stretch of coastline rather than the port, where they might be searched by Egyptian authorities.

For if they did indeed have the Ark of the Covenant in their possession, and someone were to discover that fact, those who would desire it would stop at nothing to possess it.

Including killing all his men.

Even he found his own heart pounding at the excitement as the vessels were unloaded. He knew the fathers of the firstborn had requested the Ark be sent with their children, but Solomon had denied it. There was no way his father had changed his mind, which must mean they had stolen it then hidden it among the supplies and gifts sent by Solomon for his mother.

Surely Father must know by now.

Yet if that were the case, wouldn’t he have sent men to recover it? Why had no one come to tell him that thieves were in his midst with the most precious of bounties? It made no sense.

His eyes narrowed as he continued to piece together the mystery he faced. How was it that he had the Ark? The firstborn seemed certain, yet wouldn’t they have kept it with themselves? When the caravan had been attacked at the rear, the head of his personal guard had ordered them to the boats, the rest of the procession hurrying to follow with the carts.

But the Israelites had remained behind, as brothers, to fight.

And that meant their own cargo had remained with them.

So, if that were the case, why did his men end up with the Ark?

Tamrin, the head of his personal guard, jogged toward him, coming to a stop. “Your Highness, I have answers to your questions.”

“Proceed.”

“After questioning the men, I’ve discovered that a cart was brought forward by the Israelites last night while we rested. The next morning, four of them were in our midst, with no explanation beyond that they wanted to get to know us—some sort of goodwill gesture, I suppose.”

Menelik frowned. “Why do I somehow doubt that?”

Tamrin agreed. “When the caravan was attacked, the four Israelites headed for the rear to join their brothers, then when the order was given to make haste for the boats, our men took the cart with them. None are aware of what is on it.” He pointed to a dozen men approaching, carrying a shrouded box, there little doubt in Menelik’s mind what was under it. “As you can see, they found the item.” Tamrin’s eyes narrowed. “May I ask what it is? I thought I heard the Israelite say it was the Ark of the Covenant? What is that?”

Menelik ignored the question, instead rushing toward the Ark. “Don’t touch it except by the handles!”

His men froze, confused, all looking to see what they were holding on to, all relieved to see they were already following his orders.

“Put it down and look away!”

They complied, and Menelik carefully took a corner of the heavy cloth covering the Ark and lifted it, nearly fainting at the confirmation of what was among their midst.

What do I do?

This belonged to his father. To the Israelites. To their god. His god. It had to be returned, but the unloaded boats were already setting sail, their captains eager to return to the open seas or the safety of a port, his own captain warning him that these were Egyptian lands, and they wouldn’t take kindly to a small force landing on their shores outside of a port controlled by them where an inspection could occur.

It was that exact reason he had ordered the diversion, and it had been a wise move. If the Ark had been discovered by the Egyptians, there was no telling what might happen. But now that he had confirmed it was indeed among them, he had to return it, for there was no way God would want it with him, and not in Jerusalem where it could protect His chosen people.

“Sir! Look!”

He turned to find many of his men already staring to the north, hundreds of soldiers on horseback or war-carriage, supported by even more on foot.

“We must have been spotted bypassing the port,” said Tamrin, giving orders with waves of his arms for the men to prepare to repel the enemy. “They must have sent a contingent to see where we landed.”

Menelik cursed. The captain had begged him to set ashore north of the port, but he had refused, instead ordering them farther south, hoping to avoid this very encounter.

He was a fool.

“There are too many of them,” he muttered, surveying the situation as his men readied themselves. “We can’t win.”

Tamrin shook his head. “No, sir, we can’t. Only a miracle could save us now”—he gestured toward the departed boats—“or those returning.”

Menelik grunted. “If you thought it was difficult to get them here the first time…”

Tamrin chuckled. “You’re correct, of course, sir.” He glanced at his liege. “What should we do?”

Menelik frowned. “Pray for that miracle.”

Then a thought struck him, a thunderbolt of energy sending shivers through his body as he turned toward the Ark sitting only paces away.

“Perhaps a miracle is exactly what we need.”

“Sir?”

Menelik gestured toward the Ark. “According to my father, the Ark of the Covenant is the means in which his people harness the power of God to defeat all their enemies.”

Tamrin’s eyebrows rose. “That…thing can stop an army?”

Menelik nodded. “Apparently so.”

“How?”

Menelik’s shoulders slumped. “I have no idea, and even if I did, I doubt it would work for us. It was, after all, stolen, and never was supposed to be in our possession.”

Tamrin turned to face him. “Sir, if there’s any chance that thing can work, we have to try, otherwise you will die.”

Menelik regarded the army amassing in front of them, then checked their rear. They could flee, but they’d be forced to abandon their supplies, and this was Egyptian land. Eventually, they would be caught and slaughtered, and the Ark would fall into their hands, perhaps to be used against their traditional enemy, the Jewish people his father ruled.

You must try.

He closed his eyes, praying for some sort of message, some indication from the Jewish god of what he should do.

A strong breeze swept over him, cooling and calming, and he tingled all over, a smile spreading.

Thank you.

His eyes snapped open and he strode toward the Ark. “Have your men fall back and hold their position. Select ten of your bravest men to join us.”

Tamrin’s eyes widened. “Umm, forgive me, sir, but do you propose twelve of us face that army?”

Menelik shook his head. “No, my friend, there will be thirteen of us.”

“Thirteen?”

“God will be with us.”