Corrections to the Numbered PDF
(Several chapters are 872 BC. I need to give them a better look for Kathy’s time concern.)
map – It’s not “Israel 850 BC” but “The Holy Land 850 BC”
Table of Contents
Foreword –
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Dave’s fiction is faithful to 1 Kings 18:3-4. Obadiah, palace administrator, was a devout believer in the Lord. While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.
[quotes around the Bible quote.]
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Dave’s fiction is faithful to 1 Kings 18:3-4. “Obadiah, palace administrator, was a devout believer in the Lord. While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.”
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challenges Obadiah’s resourcefulness and puts his life danger.
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challenges Obadiah’s resourcefulness and puts his life in danger.
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Enjoy this account of an unsung biblical hero.
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A map of the Holy Land in 850 BC helps us follow the account of this ancient hero.
80 “My. My. What have we here?” The commander stood taller than his
80 “My, my. What have we here?” The commander stood taller than his
248-249 Obadiah grabbed Ahab’s arm, and he took in a noisy breath. “What’s going on?”
248-249 Obadiah grabbed Ahab’s arm and took in a noisy breath. “What’s going on?”
574 The king slid a cut-glass carafe of olive oil across the table. “I’m
574 The king slid a carafe of olive oil across the table. “I’m
719-21 Seba came out from the stalls cradling his two-year-old son in an 745 elbow. He leaned his pitchfork against the door jamb. “You have 746 sound horseflesh, sir.”
719-21 Seba came out from the stalls cradling a baby in an elbow. He leaned his pitchfork against the door jamb. “You have sound horseflesh, sir.”
747 along. Two talents are about the weight of six toddlers like the one at 748 my house.”
747 along. Two talents weigh about the same as six toddlers like the one at my house.”
759 king we ride in the morning.” He ducked out of the circle. Seba and the 760 six waited at the stable door. 761 Obadiah returned. “King Omri thinks our ‘baby carry’ is the best 762 idea he’s heard. As long as we’re surrounded by fifty cavalrymen with 763 swords and javelins.”
759 king we ride in the morning.”
778 SHEMER’S HILL
778 HAUL TWO TALENTS OF SILVER
781 OBADIAH SWUNG HIS two oldest daughters off their feet, eased 782 onto their apartment’s one chair, and perched the girls on his knees. 783 “I’ll only be gone a week.” 784 “Where, Daddy?” The oldest leaned into his shoulder. 785 “To see a man named Shemer.” 786 Yedidah stood in the candlelight rocking the baby in her arms and 787 bumping her knees into his. “I just wish you didn’t have to go, that’s 788 all. We need you. I need you.” 789 He eased the girls to the floor, rose, pulled Yedidah and the baby 790 close, and swayed with them in his arms. 791 Yedidah spoke into his chest. “Hold me tight. Right here. I can’t 792 hug you up there at the gate and kiss you goodbye with the world 793 gawking at us.”
781 OBADIAH HELD HIS youngest daughter while she clung to his neck in the candlelight.
The oldest girl stood with her arms wrapped around Obadiah’s knee.
He pulled Yedidah to him swayed with her against his shoulder. “I’ll only be gone a week.”
“I just wish you didn’t have to go, that’s all. We need you. I need you.” She spoke into his chest. “Hold me tight. Right here. I can’t hug you up there at the gate and kiss you goodbye while the world gawks at us.”
796 Obadiah held the baby while Yedidah blew out the candle and 797 locked the apartment door. He followed her and the two older girls 798 through the hall. In the kitchen, he tucked the baby close to his chest
796 Obadiah held the baby while Yedidah blew out the candle and locked the apartment door. He followed her through the hall. In the kitchen, he tucked the baby close to his chest
803 had grown into a man with arms too long for his robe. He chopped 829 onions.
803 had grown into a young man with arms too long for his robe. He chopped onions.
827 Yedidah held her face taut while the two older girls clung to her 828 legs. She pulled the baby close, raised a hand to her chin, and wiggled 829 her fingers. The girls said, “We love you, Daddy.”
827 Yedidah held her face taut while she pulled the girls close to her knees. She raised a hand to her chin and wiggled her fingers. The girls looked up and wiggled theirs.
841 rattled the planks over the moat, and turned south.
842 When the sun had climbed halfway to its crest, Shemer’s Hill rose
[I want to add a paragraph.]
841 rattled the planks over the moat.
At the south junction, a lone figure faded into the bushes. Bandit or Syrian scout? Outside Dothan, another watcher stood in the trees. And again as they passed the Tirzah junction. None of the bodyguards or cavalrymen asked to investigate. Obadiah and the captain of the cavalry never gave permission to leave the safety of the group.
When the sun had climbed halfway to its crest, Shemer’s Hill rose
890 GERA THE GROVE MANAGER
890 THROW A BASKET THROUGH A TREE
978 Obadiah stretched on his rug, grinned at Hodiah’s ruling, and 979 slept. 980 “Wake up!” 981 Obadiah stirred to the voice in the dark.
[We need a break here.]
978 Obadiah stretched on his rug, grinned at Hodiah’s ruling, and slept.
[empty line]
“WAKE UP!”
Obadiah stirred to the voice in the dark.
1068 KING AHAB
1068 THE SUNRISE TO WARM HIS BONES
[I dated this chapter one year too earlyi. Instead of 867 BC, it should be 866 BC.]
1069 867 BC
1069 866 BC
[Plus, every chapter after this is one year early and needs to be changed. Yikes!]
1085 Gibbethon shuffled through, his basket swinging from his shoulder 1086 with the rhythm of his call.“Fish. Fresh fish.” Obadiah opened one eye a
[missing space]
1085 Gibbethon shuffled through, his basket swinging from his shoulder 1086 with the rhythm of his call. “Fish. Fresh fish.” Obadiah opened one eye a
1181 HOMEWARD
1181 RACE FOR HOME
1182 867 BC
1182 866 BC
1247 hammers at his side, grunted and pushed on the blocks.
1247 hammers at his side, grunted, and pushed on the blocks.
1282 the horses stumbling over bumps in the path. A few faces burst into 1283 smile at Obadiah, then faded, blank and sad.
1282 the horses stumbling over bumps in the path. One face burst into smile, then faded, blank and sad.
1324 KISHION
1324 I NEVER SHOULD HAVE LEFT
1325 867 BC
1325 866 BC
1418 “Sweet dreams, boy,” the grandpa boomed.
1418 “Sweet dreams, boy,” grandpa boomed.
1475 867 BC
1475 866 BC
1542 great-grandson’s my business partner.
1542 great-grandson’s my business partner.”
1621 Obadiah, opened his mouth and closed it again.
1621 Obadiah, opened his mouth, and closed it again.
1634 “Basics?
1634 “Basics?”
1651 864 BC
1651 863 BC
1653 OBADIAH CROUCHED AT the edge of the Fort Jezreel market 1654 and pulled a few pomegranates from the pile. The fruits were small
1653 OBADIAH CROUCHED BESIDE a pile of pomegranates in the Fort Jezreel market and turned one in his hand. The fruits were small
1680 out of the market, into headquarters and down the stairs.
1680 out of the market, into headquarters, and down the stairs.
1720 pointer across an open scroll, while his brother read. “Before he had
1720 pointer across an open scroll while his brother read. “Before he had
1771 Wake up? First his mother and now his wife sang the song of the
1771 Wake up? His mother hinted at the tune, and now his wife sang the song of the
1796 FACADE
1796 “LOOK WHO’S HERE!”
1797 864 BC
1797 863 BC
1880 took a step toward the alley, the other children moved with her, bent
1880 took a step toward the alley. The other children moved with her, bent
1891 “Look who’s here.” The king turned his back to the chain of
1891 “Look who’s here!” The king turned his back to the chain of
1975 864 BC
1975 863 BC
2110-11 slammed into her foot. As the child’s head shot back, her eyes rolled up in her head, and she sprawled on the dirt, silent and still.
2110-11 slammed into her foot. The child’s head shot back. She sprawled on the dirt, silent and still.
2182 Obadiah turned away. He’d failed with his friend, Ahab. There was
2182 Obadiah turned away. He’d failed with his friend Ahab. There was
2418 Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. – Kings 16:34
2418 Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. – 1 Kings 16:34
2215 863 BC
2215 862 BC
2426 863 BC
2426 862 BC
2571 862 BC
2571 861 BC
2665-66 Gera’s scream filled the olive grove and Obadiah and the guards thundered through to the gate.
[delete extra space. Add “the trees”]
2665-66 Gera’s scream filled the olive grove and Obadiah and the guards thundered through the trees to the gate.
2747 862 BC
2747 861 BC
2729 Gera stood and wiped his cheeks with the back of his hand.
2729 Gera stood and wiped a cheek with the back of his hand.
2951 862 BC
2951 861 BC
2953 OBADIAH STOOD AT the edge of the crowd with his head bowed.
2953 OBADIAH STOOD WITH head bowed.
3007-08 Obadiah looked up. The voice belonged to old don’t-you-know Jamin, the elder from Shechem. Jamin maneuvered past the mutton
3007-08 Jamin, the elder from Shechem, maneuvered past the mutton
3083 Gera. But instead of Gera’s cheerful grin, he wore a deep frown, and
3083 Gera. He wore a deep frown, and
3157 862 BC
3157 861 BC
3246 Shechem. Very glad to have with us still, but with all due respect, sir. A
3246 Shechem. Very glad to have you with us still, but with all due respect, sir. A
3271 DO YOU PRAY?
3271 NOBODY GOES THERE
3272 862 BC
3272 861 BC
3312 Obadiah scratched his whiskers. Yedidah and her mother had
3312 Obadiah scratched his whiskers. Yedidah and her sister had
3319-20 bounced beyond her grasp. “Who’s going to suspect an eleven-year-old girl, Mommy?”
3319 bounced beyond her grasp. [new paragraph]
3320 “Who’s going to suspect an eleven-year-old girl, Mommy?”
3418 THE MISLIYAH CAVE
3418 NO SLIME
3419 Market, Megiddo, Israel
3419 The Market, Megiddo, Israel
3420 861 BC
3420 861 BC [Since the previous chapters dates went older a year, this date is correct.]
3470 Yeskah whispered, “When you first mentioned secret shoppers, I
3470 Yeskah whispered, “When you first mentioned stealth shoppers, I
3528 As Ruthie led Yeskah and Obadiah out the gate, he glanced back
3528 As Ruthie and Yeskah led Obadiah out the gate, he glanced back
3529 at his bodyguards on the threshing floor holding pitas and squash. He
3529 at Yedidah, surrounded by bodyguards.
3587 hoopoe called. He turned left then right. The road hid behind thick
3587 hoopoe called. Obadiah turned left then right. The road hid behind thick
3658 859 BC
3658 858 BC
3769 in, Obadiah’s people could drink for weeks from Omri’s thirty-six
3769 in, Ahab’s people could drink for weeks from Omri’s thirty-six
3836 BEN-HADAD THREATENS
3836 BEN-HADAD WILL NOT GO AWAY
3837 859 BC
3837 858 BC
3862 from the stalks in their field. Each carried weapons and a heavy pack.
3862 from the stalks in their fields. Each carried weapons and a heavy pack.
3891 be thankful she cares about the boy’s comfort.”
3891 be thankful she cares about our boy’s comfort.”
4014 859 BC
4014 858 BC
4027 rescued this child? She never introduced bubblers. If you don’t know who 4028 they are, the queen can’t drag their names from you.
4027 rescued this child? She never introduced bubblers. “If you don’t know who they are, the queen can’t drag their names from you.” [Quote marks instead of italics.]
4211 Obadiah bit his lip. “Ahab,” Commander Omri had prophesied. “They
[period after Ahab]
4211 Obadiah bit his lip. “Ahab.” Commander Omri had prophesied. “They
4252 THE BATTLE OF TIRZAH VALLEY
4252 DRUNK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY
4253 859 BC
4253 858 BC
and glowered up at Ahab. “Those Syrians in sackcloth clinging to this chariot actually brought you Ben-Hadad, and you kissed him sweet goodbye?”***I’m not sure I understand. I thought Ahab just sent them off to get Ben-Hadad and bring him to him, but is Obadiah now saying Ben-Hadad had already been there and Ahab let him go?***
4408 mean, you let him go?” Obadiah stood on tiptoe 4409 in the center of the threshing floor. He gripped the rail of the royal 4410 chariot and glowered up at Ahab. “Those Syrians in sackcloth clinging 4411 to this chariot actually brought you Ben-Hadad, and you kissed him 4412 sweet goodbye?”
4457 A LIFE FOR A LIFE
4457 “STRIKE ME HERE.”
4458 859 BC
4458 858 BC
4601 Ahab waved his bodyguards the spears down and touched his
4601 Ahab waved down his bodyguards spears and touched his
4662 858 BC
4662 857 BC
4868 “My king, the Lord says, it doesn’t matter how important you think you
4868 “My king, it doesn’t matter how important you think you
4913 Ahab made one sound. “What—?
4913 Ahab made one sound. “What—?”
4954 Trade Away Inheritance – Number 26:52–54, 33:54, Joshua 13–22, Leviticus 25:23
4954 Trade Away Inheritance – Numbers 26:52–54, 33:54, Joshua 13–22, Leviticus 25:23
4963 857 BC
4963 856 BC
4972 and the donkeys. He sat with his men and turned toward the two kings.
4972 and the donkeys. He sat with his men and turned toward Ahab.
5100 Mikayhu splayed his arms at his side. He turned his face to the sky
5100 Mikayhu splayed his arms at his sides. He turned his face to the sky
5103 Ramoth in Gilead?’” [the quote continues in the next paragraph]
5103 Ramoth in Gilead?’
5106 Asherah clowns think they’ve discovered a secret formula.’” [the quote continues in the next paragraph]
5106 Asherah clowns think they’ve discovered a secret formula.’
5139 THE NOBLE WARRIOR
5139 “WHO TRAINS OUR HANDS FOR WAR”
5140 857 BC
5140 856 BC
5142 OBADIAH RODE BETWEEN the two kings, Ahab and 5143 Jehoshaphat.
5142 OBADIAH RODE BETWEEN King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat.
5194 Obadiah’s youngest bodyguard drove Zak up in a chariot and 5195 stopped next to Obadiah. Three more guards crowding them on 5196 horseback carried bows and clusters of arrows laced at the withers. Zak 5197 patted a clutch of javelins standing strapped to his chariot rail. “Our 5198 little gang can still put up a good fight.”
5194 Zak stopped in a chariot next to Obadiah. Guards crowded him on horseback with bows and clusters of arrows laced at the withers. Zak patted a clutch of javelins strapped to his chariot rail. “Our little gang can still put up a good fight.”
5206 Archers behind Obadiah sent a volley of arrows into the 5207 approaching Syrians, and the reply arrows stabbed the grass around 5208 Obadiah. One glanced off his chariot rail.
5206 Archers behind Obadiah sent a volley into the approaching Syrians, and the reply arrows stabbed the grass around him. One glanced off his chariot rail.
5317 857 BC
5317 856 BC
5351 With Obadiah holding one arm and Zedekiah the other, they
5351 With Obadiah holding one arm and Zak the other, they
5430 857 BC
5430 856 BC
5497 stood along the wall. Clean cloths lay on a marble chair, a flowing robe
5497 stood along one wall. Clean cloths lay on a marble chair, a flowing robe
5500-02 They set Ahab on a marble table in the center of the room. Obadiah and Hiel held his shoulders while Jehu and Bidkar pushed his legs down until Ahab lay straight on his back.
5500-02 They set Ahab on a marble table in the center of the room. Obadiah and Hiel held his shoulders while Jehu and Bidkar pushed his legs down until Ahab lay straight. Obadiah backed away. “‘How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle!’”
5564 BACKGROUND
5565 The king is dead – 1 Kings 22:29-39
5566 “dogs will lick your blood” – 1 Kings 21:19
5564 BACKGROUND
5565 The king is dead – 1 Kings 22:29-39
5566 “How are the mighty fallen…” – 2 Samuel 1:25
5567 “dogs will lick your blood” – 1 Kings 21:19
5569 849 BC
5569 848 BC
5596 light breeze. Go back to sleep and dream that scene again.
5596 light breeze. Go back to sleep and dream that scene again. [Italicize his thought]
5664 The two kings pulled in beside the general. Joram wore the bright
5664 The two young kings pulled in beside the general. Joram wore the bright
5716 849 BC
5716 848 BC
5741 Several captains hitched their teams to the rails in front of 5742 headquarters. But General Jehu hung a hard right beside headquarters.
5741 Several captains hitched their teams to rails on the plaza. But General Jehu hung a hard right beside headquarters.
5820 “Oh, I can’t look,” Yedidah said. The butcher’s wife agreed. “I 5821 k
5820 “Oh, I can’t look,” Yedidah said. [new paragraph]
The butcher’s wife agreed. “I know, dear.”
5885 Zak shook his head. “I’m sorry, sir, but General Jehu‘s not taking [the apostrophe]
5885 “I’m sorry, sir.” Zak flashed a grim smile. “But General Jehu’s not taking [reverse the apostrophe]
5946 Jehu killing Ahab’s son – 2 King 9:24
5946 Jehu killing Ahab’s son – 2 Kings 9:24
5955 849 BC
5955 848 BC
6130 SEVENTY HEADS
6130 SEVENTY HEADS IN TWO PILES
6131 849 BC
6131 848 BC
6202 let a loud breath and turned his back. One more issue beyond his
6202 let out a loud breath and turned his back. One more issue beyond his
6238 Taanach – Jezreel Valley, Israel
6238 Taanach – Joshua 12:21
6212 Obadiah turned to Yedidah. “Where’s our daughter?” Yedidah took a 6213 long breath. “She married a resourceful boy.”
6212 Obadiah turned to Yedidah. “Where’s our daughter?”
[new paragraph]
Yedidah took a long breath. “She married a resourceful boy.”
6243 ESCAPE
6243 “WHERE’S MY DAUGHTER?”
6244 849 BC
6244 848 BC
6357 DWELLING PLACE
6357 A LINE IN THE MIND
6358 849 BC
6358 848 BC
6315 Three bodyguards led horses into the clearing. One dropped to the 6316 ground.
6315 Two bodyguards led horses into the clearing. One dropped to the ground.
6328 A second guard swung down from his horse and answered
6328 A guard swung down from his horse and answered
6426 He stepped back into his chariot and led them through Jericho to
6426 He led them through Jericho to
6463 Obadiah jumped from his chariot and laughed as he rattled the
6463 Obadiah laughed as he rattled the
In the Acknowledgments, I want to add a line thanking Kathy McKinsey. Thus:
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book. Colleen is right. It’s a joy working with Joan.
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book. Colleen is right. It’s a joy working with Joan.
And thank you, Kathy McKinsey, World’s Best Proofreader, for revealing the little foxes before they could spoil the final edition of this vine.
The Author’s Bio looks good. I like the block paragraphs and the slight indent of the three Elijah questions.
i(1109 “Only six years here, Biah. He deserved more.”)
