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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Shrewdness (03/07/05)
“You saw how they fled before us!” The king of Ai bellowed from his balcony. “They fell beneath our swords just as grain falls before the reaper!”
The crowd below cheered. Earlier that day the defenders of Ai had routed the Israelite army. They came against the city of Ai and her defenders crushed them. No one could take this city! Apparently, the rumors about Jericho had proven false. Perhaps the god of the Jews was not as strong as had been reported. Perhaps the gods of the Amorites were more powerful!
A smile played at the corners of the king’s mouth as he stroked his unkempt beard.
“Now I will show this rabble what a real king can do.” He muttered under his breath.
The next day news reached the king that the Israelite army was massing again. Ai’s ruler sprang from his throne and ordered his armor brought to him. He would teach those Jews a lesson they would never forget!
Within moments the army of Ai was assembled at the city gates. The King stood on the back of an old wagon. After leading them in a brief prayer to their gods, he spoke to the gathered troops.
“Our enemies have returned! They are just beyond our gates. With the help of our mighty gods we will go forth and crush the Israelites and their god once and for all!” the king yelled as he waved his sword in the air. “Onward to victory!”
The roar from the army of Ai was deafening. Out of the city they poured as they charged into battle. They had defeated this supposedly great Israelite army before; they knew they could do it again.
The battle was fierce but brief. Just as they had done in the previous battle, the Israelite army broke and began to run. Victory was at hand! Soon they would fall before the might of the Amorites and their gods!
Ai’s king was at the forefront of the charge with a twisted smile on his face. He would soon annihilate the pests that brought down mighty Jericho. Then nothing could stop him from growing his kingdom and….
“The city is on fire!” his armor bearer screamed interrupting his revelry.
Turning, the king gasped as he saw black smoke billowing from his city into the afternoon sky! How shrewd! The enemy had lured them away and taken the city! Everything he had was on the verge of being lost.
“Wait! There is still time.” he said to himself. “With the help of our gods we can still end the day victorious.”
However, the battle quickly turned against him. No longer was the army of Ai on the offensive. Israel’s army, that had been running, was now turning and fighting! Ai’s defenders tried to escape the onslaught but had nowhere to go! More of the Israelite army laid in ambush and was now attacking. The Israelite force that had taken the city was now cutting off any escape. Ai’s king and army were now surrounded.
The king of Ai was on the run. His army, as well as all that he had, was gone. In vain he implored his gods to protect him and somehow give him victory. It didn’t happen.
Finally, it was over. The Israelites were victorious. The Amorite king had been captured and the city taken. The former ruler of Ai trembled as he stood before Joshua, the leader of Israel.
“King of Ai, you are an evil man. You and your people have defied the living God himself. The blood of those you have sacrificed cries out – especially the innocent children. Today you defied the army of God.” Joshua said as he looked at the former king.
The king did not reply. With his head down he silently continued to call upon his gods to rescue him.
“Now, o king your day of reckoning is at hand.” Joshua said as he pointed to a tree.
The former ruler of Ai turned to see a noose hanging from the tree. His eyes grew wide with fear as he fell to his knees.
“No! No!” the former king pleaded as he was dragged toward the tree.
He struggled in vain against the men who bound his hands behind his back. Where were his gods? Why did they not rescue him? Tears ran down his grime-covered face as the noose tightened around his neck.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Crista Darr
03/15/05
A great picture of the vanity of calling on gods that are no gods. Call on Jesus! He answers!
donna robinson
03/16/05
You made the battle come to life! I liked seeing it from the enemy's standpoint too. Definitely God's wisdom was shrew here, asking the Israelites to keep faith and to go forth on his word. Who would have thought the battle would end that way? I thought the imagery here was neat!
L.M. Lee
03/17/05
excellent! I could see the pages of history unfold.
Phyllis Inniss 
03/18/05
A vivid scene was played out here. One saw the arrogance of the King of the Amorites, even calling on his gods. Having put their trust in the Lord, the Israelites were victorious. Great retelling.