Kings & kingdoms: The greatest story never told

KINGS & KINGDOMS

The greatest story never told

Daniel Hynes

Copyright Dan Hynes 2015

The right of Dan Hynes to be identified as the moral rights author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000 (Cth).

This book is copyrighted. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Inquiries should be addressed to the author.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry

Creator: Hynes, Daniel C. (Daniel Christopher), 1961- author.

Title: Kings and kingdoms: the greatest story never told / Daniel Hynes; illustrated by Jessica Anne Webster.

ISBN: 9780646932460 (paperback)

Target Audience: For young adults.

Subjects: Christian fiction.

Historical fiction.

Speculative fiction.


Other Creators/Contributors: Webster, Jessica Anne, 1986 - illustrator.

Dewey Number: A823.4

Her children stand and bless her.

Her husband praises her:

"There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,

but you surpass them all."

(Proverbs 31:28-29)

To my dear wife, Mandy. While I was at sea, deployed to the Middle East Region for six months, she singlehandedly moved house and watched over our sons Josh and Adam and our faithful dog Sam. I could never have written this story without her loving support, encouragement, and prayers.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Epilogue

Prologue Endnotes

Chapter 1 Endnotes

Chapter 2 Endnotes

Chapter 3 Endnotes

Chapter 4 Endnotes

Chapter 5 Endnotes

Chapter 6 Endnotes

Chapter 7 Endnotes

Note from the Author

Foreword

Stephen Mark Merriman

Lieutenant Commander (Retired)

Chaplain to the Royal Canadian Navy

It takes a talented individual to be able to verbally tell a story, especially a story that has become a timeless classic. I have known Dan Hynes for some thirty years plus. Initially as a young Canadian Naval Officer dating my wife’s sister, then as my brother-in-law, friend, and colleague. I recognized the first time I met Dan that he loved to tell stories. However, many can tell stories, it takes a skilled, highly talented, and exacting type of individual to be able to write a story and to retell it with a new excitement from a different perspective.

I believe after reading Daniel Hynes’ book, ‘Kings and Kingdoms – The greatest story never told’, the author has done just that! He has taken the Christmas story and has told it in a way that engages the reader to enter into travelling on an unexpected journey that engages the heart, mind, and soul as told through the eyes of the magi.

The magi are living in a journey of unfolding mysteries, signs, wonders, and divine encounters, that seek and celebrate an impending birth, while another more sinister story unfolds in a parallel spiritual realm that seeks to prevent the birth and destroy the child.

When I had finished reading this book, I felt that I had been engaged in a ‘Paul Harvey’ broadcast! Mr. Harvey would retell a well known story from the perspective of a secondary character, and how much more important the role they played actually was! It was always a learning experience for the listener and his closing line was always and now you know the rest of the story.

Prologue

Babylon, spring 539 BC

Each written word cut deeper into Daniel’s heart. He felt such pain that he wanted to cry out at the top of his lungs. The air stood still as the sun beat down on his face. His chest heaved as he wept on his swollen knees before the window of his upper room. He closed his eyes and hunted for that childhood picture of Jerusalem in all its glory before…

The papyrus scroll containing the words of the Lord from the prophet Jeremiah weighed heavily in his arms, reminding him that his Mincha or midday prayer needed to continue. He began to read again:

Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here. It’s a lie! Do you really think that you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, ‘We are safe!’ - only to go right back to all those evils again?¹

He strained to continue reading as the tears welled up in his eyes and once again pushed their way through the ashes that had come to rest on the leathery skin of the aged Judean exile. He paused to take a deep breath and looked up toward his homeland of nearly seventy years past. The black goat’s hair gown itched against his skin as the heat of the Babylonian day reached its peak. He put the discomfort of his flesh aside and focused on the passion of his Lord.

While you were doing these wicked things, says the Lord, I spoke to you about it repeatedly, but you would not listen.²

Daniel let out a deep sigh and gently placed the Holy Scriptures down upon his prayer mat. He then bowed to the Lord and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting confessing;

"O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority. All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice. So now the solemn curses and judgements written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin. Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem. O Lord our God, you were right to do all of these things, for we didn’t obey you.

"O Lord our God, we have sinned and are full of wickedness. In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain.

O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead.

O my God, lean down and listen to me.

O Lord, hear.

O Lord, forgive.³

***

As Daniel continued to present his petition before the Lord, he was completely unaware that he wasn’t alone. It was a well-known fact that at the ripe age of eighty-four, although of sound mind, Daniel’s body was beginning to display signs of aging. His hearing had been deteriorating over the last few years, and as such, those plotting now to bring about his demise lurked undetected in the shadows of the potted palms not far from the window where he was praying, listening to every word of his prayer.

Since their arrival in Babylon, Daniel and his Hebrew friends had openly declared their unwavering faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Without fail, each day, morning, noon, and evening they would pray toward Jerusalem, which they regarded as the dwelling place of their God on earth.⁴

Today these uninvited guests shuffled positions to hear the statesman continue in his noon prayer ritual.

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked. I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.⁵

Just then one of the eavesdropping officials smirked at the others and said in hushed tones, Protects those who love him? We shall soon see.

***

In the cool darkness of their below-ground meeting den, the fallen angels gathered. It had been a day that would long be remembered in the kingdom. Astaroth, the angel prince of the Babylonian horde, paced the dirt floor among the lions, recounting the events that had led to this moment. His puffy grey face eerily glowed like a full moon. The rotting leftover scraps and droppings of the cats added to the ambience of hate that he radiated. Then through thin lips that opened to reveal a crooked smile, he said, This will be my first prophet! I have waited so long to see this day, and nothing is going to stop his death in this place. I want to see his wretched skin torn, and his bones crushed by our African friends the moment they are released. There can be no mistakes in this last hour! His voice lowered to a hiss as he swung about to ensure that he eyeballed every spectre in the room. No mistakes.

***

Belteshazzar!

Daniel recognized the gruff voice of Marzban, the head of the king’s Imperial Guard. He was a powerful and driven man who had been promoted up through the ranks of the Immortals at great speed. He now stood in the courtyard of the soon-to-be-chief administrator of the Empire of Persia and summoned him in his Babylonian name.

Daniel came to the flower-lined balcony and looked down into the garden court where he had spent many an hour, and asked, What has happened that you should enter my home in such a manner Marzban? Especially at this late hour in the day.

King Darius has directed me to arrest you on the charge of treason. You are to be taken immediately to His Majesty. You must come now!

Daniel nodded knowingly and backed away from the railing he’d leaned against. He looked for a moment at the shiny reflection of himself in the glazed sky blue tiles on the wall. He needed to dress appropriately for his king and proceeded to collect his purple court robe and the gold chain of office prior to presenting himself to Marzban.

When he entered the courtyard, Marzban bowed as was customary when the badge of Daniel’s office was presented. Daniel smiled, returned the greeting with a nod, and led the Commander out of his residence to the awaiting Imperial escort. They passed the well-adorned city castle to the promenade, which followed the Euphrates river north past the south and the north citadels. The sun’s setting light created great shadows through the palm-lined paths up into the king’s famous hanging gardens. The sound of the many cascading water features faded as they approached the Ishtar gate and entered the cool shadow of the north citadel. He knew that they were heading to meet the king outside his palace at the entrance to the lion’s den.

As they passed the parapet that overlooked the large lions that symbolised Mede and Persian power and authority, a blanket of peace enveloped him. Daniel felt as if he were being carried along effortlessly to meet the newly appointed King Darius, a friend of nearly twenty years. He glanced down at the powerful and restless animals, and one of King David’s psalms rose from his heart;

"‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord.

"I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honour him.

With long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."⁶

As they descended and rounded in front of the den, he couldn’t help but notice the relief work covering the building he would soon enter. On either side of the entrance were carvings of a hero, which appeared to be the king, grappling with a fearsome creature or lion of considerable size and strength. Surprisingly, Daniel didn’t see a king besting the lion of Babylon, but the king being defeated by the Lion of Judah.

Marzban commanded the guard to halt and then form a protective square to keep the crowd of onlookers at a distance. The court herald was in attendance as were many senior officials from the newly selected cabinet. The formation of the bright red wicker shields of the spear bearers topped with their sky blue ‘fillet’ tiaras made for quite a colourful backdrop for the king’s arrival. Daniel caught the last of the sun dropping below the north citadel wall. Maariv. Time for evening prayer.

The herald cleared his throat and unfurled a scroll. Daniel glanced toward the river and the approaching King Darius and his entourage. The other two deputy administrators and a handful of nobles and princes from the provinces that had been visiting the palace flanked the king as he climbed the last few steps toward Daniel. Suddenly, a hush fell over the courtyard, and the only thing that could be heard was the sound of the palm leaves in the evening breeze. The guard parted smartly to allow the passage of the ceremonial party. The herald waited as the king took up his place directly before Daniel. Darius then turned and glanced toward his apparently new chief administrator, who in turn nodded to the herald. The portly gentleman stepped forward and began the proclamation that had been heard several times throughout the city during the day.

To all be it known that Darius, King of the World, Great King, King of Mede, King of Persia, King of Babilani, King of Kiengir and Akkade, King of the four rims of the earth, son of Ahasuerus, of a family which always exercised kingship; whose rule Bel and Nebo love, whom they want as king to please their hearts. In this, the first year of his reign issues this proclamation throughout his kingdom, to every race, colour, and creed on earth, both by word of mouth and in writing, thus says Darius, King of Persia. For the next thirty days, any person who prays to anyone - divine or human - other than myself will be brought forth and thrown into the den of lions, and may his god be with him.

That was the cue for what appeared to be a well-planned presentation for all to see. Suddenly there was the sound of a horn alerting the people of Babylon that it was again time to stop and worship their king.

With great reverence, every citizen of the Empire within the sound of that horn fell to their knees and worshipped King Darius.

***

With his back to Daniel, Darius’s eyes swept from the Euphrates on his left over the sea of servants. He slowly turned toward the opening of the den, and there standing eye-to-eye with him was his old and loyal friend, Daniel. Loyal, yes there was nothing about Daniel’s devotion to his God that made him any less loyal to him. It was his strong faith and godliness that made him so wise and valuable to his kingship.

Clearly jealousy toward Daniel from the other nobles and officials had led to this predicament. They knew if they played Darius to sign off on this law, which couldn’t be revoked, it would only be a matter of witnessing Daniel in his regular prayer ritual to bring about his execution.

Darius had struggled all afternoon to find a way out of this trap that had been sprung. His only hope had just faded, as Daniel hadn’t taken this one last opportunity to give homage to him. There was great sadness in Darius’s heart, swallowing hard a tear formed as he heard the gasps of his officials behind him.

The King gave a great sigh, stepped back, and said, May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you. Then he raised his Royal spear like a sceptre and struck the gold pomegranate-shaped counterbalance firmly down upon the grey polished stone platform. This was the signal to commence the punishment.

***

Vidarna and the king’s third - soon to be second - chief administrator Farbod stepped forward. Farbod reached out and with a smirk that only Daniel could see, removed from Daniel’s shoulders his gold chain containing his seal and badge of office. He placed this on the lavender coloured pillow of his assistant who withdrew to the side of the herald. Then the two of them unfastened Daniel’s heavily embroidered and much adorned purple robe that Darius’s predecessor King Belshazzar had recently awarded him. A waiting attendant also collected this.

Throughout this slow and painful moment, Darius didn’t look away. His pale face displayed a range of tortured emotions. Daniel, however, was at peace and completely consumed by the opal-coloured clouds that reflected his last sunset.

Daniel, do you have anything you wish to say before you leave my sight for the last time?

The whole world held its breath to hear what this faithful old prophet had to say. As he continued to stare as though looking right through the sunset into another realm, Daniel said, The heavens declare the glory of God … and I remain his servant. He roused from his reverie and looking directly into the eyes of Darius and said, Long live the king!

Commander! Marzban stepped forward, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, and kneeled before the king.

Darius looked down and with almost a whisper said, You may proceed, but take caution. He is not to be thrown, allow him the dignity of his age and service to enter the den of his own accord.

Marzban rose and spun to face the man he’s always known as Belteshazzar, Chief of the magicians. Suddenly the Commander of the guard felt an overwhelming sense of peace and warmth as he looked into the prisoner’s eyes. He reached out and touched his arm with a desire to embrace him.

Daniel smiled and turned toward the den.

Moving in the rhythm of God’s grace, Daniel walked up the ramp and commenced his descent step-by-step down the cold stone stairs into the consuming darkness.

***

Astaroth beamed with evil delight. He and his demons had finally disgraced the Almighty’s seeing prophet. His death would be a great victory for the Prince of the Air and the Dominion of the Realm. He pursed his lips and threw his head back as though about to savour a long-awaited moment. His cunning plan had gone perfectly - without a hitch. His sticklike bony wing remnants shuddered in the air as he threw his arms up in praise to Lucifer for his wicked spiritual support. There hadn’t been any interference from the heavens throughout this whole event. It had been that easy. However, he demanded everyone remained vigilant and on point until the last bone was crushed to dust.

He watched as four of the Immortals struggled under the weight of the stone slab that fit neatly over the entrance. The king’s head mason came forward with sealing mortar and troweled in the edges where the slab met the den.

Then first the king and then his nobles each rolled their different coloured faience seals into the wet clay to ensure that there would be no tampering with the execution.

No one was going to rescue Daniel! This was the perfect plan.

***

Darius stepped back to look at the sealed den and once again said, May your God rescue you and deliver you back into my service.

The crowd probably believed the sealing would be so that no one could come and free Daniel without the king knowing. However, this wasn’t his purpose. Darius was fully aware of the conspiracy play for Daniel’s position in his kingdom. He directed, for the first time in fact, that they seal the den for Daniel’s protection. No one was going to get into the den and bring harm to his friend. Truly the fate of Daniel and the lions was in the hands of his God.

The king of Persia turned, and as the crowd parted he and his courtiers recessed to his palace in the north citadel. There was no fanfare, and for the remainder of the day Darius saw no one. As darkness fell upon his kingdom, he stood like a Sentinel watching the den from his roof throughout the night.

***

As Daniel reached the base of the stairs, he saw light entering through the two gated passages at each end of the facing wall. The portcullises were still lowered, and he knew from previous observations that the lion handlers wouldn’t lift the gates until the stone door had been set