But There Was No King In Israel.
- Thread starter Duke of Adamski
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It is indeed SWMH, I like that map very much, and you are correct that it is a shame it is not seen in more AAR;s. In regards your point of the Davidian faction, well, there are indeed many groups within the new Israel that want just such a thing, other groups want other things, we shall be meeting these groups, and exploring their individual agenda's in later chapters.
The 12 tribes are not here meant to be understood literally, The Book of Benjamin was compiled many years after the events it describes and is primarily concerned with the relationship of G-d with man rather than the literalness of history. Consider that Benjamin, in a smart political move to unify the sentiments of his new disparate population, resurrected the idea of the tribal groupings, rather than the actuality of it. From a gameplay perspective it makes little difference but from a narrative point of view makes more sense.
As for the Byzantines, well, I can foresee some trouble with them in the future, though Benjamin does have some leverage, through Anastasia, who grew up in the court at Caesarea. Indeed, she might now be completely unrecognisable to her father....
This is magnificent. Keep it up.
Thank you very much, that is very kind, I certainly hope to keep going with this. Certainly as long as the game lets me, my starting position is perilous in the extreme, and I have only played a few years ahead of the narrative so... who can say what will happen.
Great AAR! Very well-written, and the Old-Testament writing style is very original. It gives a highly biblical feel to the AAR, especially the Hebrew names.
Definitely following.
Definitely following.
Chapter Six
The fame of Benjamin spread all across the country, and the Kings of the tribes that dwelt therein were fearful for they knew the might of his arms, and were dismayed lest the Israelites come forth from the lands that they had already taken, and stream from the highlands into the cities of the plain, or burst across the Jordan. And they feared also the strength of Basil, from across the Great Sea, and they had heard of Sicel, and the humbling of the Aghlabinites.
But these fears were groundless for in these years the Israelites were low in fortune, and much work lay before them in the rebuilding of the land, of the cities of the highland and the vineyards of the hills; yet this was not known to the Kings of the Plain or to the Kings across the Jordan. From Libnah and Ashkelon they came, from Gath and Kedemoth, from Ramoth-Gilead and Beth-Dagon, and met in council, six kings and plotted against Israel, and when news came that Basil, King of the West had sailed with the sun, they gathered their arms and grew haughty and mighty.
Now Benjamin went up from Dor and he came to Jerusalem, and he looked upon the Temple built by the Ishmaelites, and he looked upon the ruins of the Temple of The Lord, and he wept that all that remained of The Lord's house were ruins. And the people wept also, for they were saddened and felt alone without the Temple of The Lord. But The Lord spoke to Benjamin and to him said, “mourn not for the Temple, for it shall again stand, in times that are not, and the people shall worship again, and the Priests shall be again, at the time that I shall show you.” And Benjamin said to The Lord, “oh Lord of all the Heavens, will I live to see that day come at last, the fulfilment of all out prayers?” Yet The Lord made no reply to him at that time.
Benjamin spoke to the Israelites, “though the Temple is torn still, we should not wet this wound with weeping, for it is old and well-tended, for when we were in Babylon The Lord came forth from Zion in his chariot, and he dwelt there among us, and even in the desert with Moshe did he come with us, for we were not alone then, and we are not alone now, for we were not alone in our wanderings for eight hundred years, nor are we alone now. G-d is with us.” These words cheered the hearts of the Israelites who rose from their faces and looked with joy upon Zion and no longer with sorrow.
These are the names of the Kings of the tribes that dwelt about Israel, who surrounded them in the country. Abu-Ja'far, King of Ashkelon, Dagan, King of Libnha, Ali, King of Bashan, Mengucek, King of Moab, Timar, King of Ramoth-Gilead, Afsion, King of Beth-Dagon. And they rose up with all their strength and fell upon the Israelites as they tended to their vines, and to their flocks, and with slaughter they rose from the Plain of Shephelah, and from the across the Jordan. Many men were slain by them in their movements, many widows and maidens made slaves and concubines. And the people of Israel cried out in terror saying, “Oh Lord, why did You bring us out of our lands, out of the safety of the lands of exile, shall we now perish in the wastelands of Canaan?”
Now Benjamin gathered the people together and he armed them with all the spoils that had been found on the shores of the sea, and he marched with them and they struck across the Jordan, and met the armies of Ali, King of Bashan and Mengucek, King of Moab, and they fell upon them in their camps at Sela, and fought with them. But Bashan and Moab had the victory, and the Israelites fled away with many slain, and the Bashanites and Moabites pursued them into the hills.
Benjamin made offering to The Lord at Shiloh, where refuge had been found, and he learned that Israel had acted displeasingly to The Lord when they had doubted in his strength and repented of their return. But Benjamin made offerings to The Lord at Shiloh and restored his favour to Israel. Though all was dark and grim for Israel, and the people were still dismayed, but this time they trusted in G-d.
The tribes who came against Israel, The Ashinites, the Samidites, the Ibrahimidites, the Doganites, the Rameledites, the Togayites, the Aydinites, these are the tribes of the plain. The tribes who came against Israel, The Parsukites, the Danismendites, the Basbuganites, the Yurekites, the Lawatinites, these are the tribes from beyond Jordan.
And the Israelites stood in the hill country of Ramoth, and looked all about at foes and gathered together their arms and stood ready to die, and thought in their minds that all was lost and that all would be taken from them. But in their hearts they trusted in G-d.
At Arsour the Israelites gave battle and all the men of war from all the tribes of the Plain and of Moab and of Bashan came against them. Benjamin led the Israelites in battle and his sword flew to all sides, for it was The Sword of G-d. But Israel ever were pushed back, and ever they fell back and ever it seemed that defeat would come. Benjamin cried out to The Lord, “G-d remember your people now, and send them succour as they face foes, remember the end of those at Masada, and wish not such a fate on us.”
And horns were heard blowing in the south, and the Israelites were affeared that it signified more foes, and the hearts of the tribes of the Plain, and of Moab and of Bashan, were allighted for they deemed the horns to bespeak fresh confederates. Yet both of them were surprised for out of the desert came Danyal, warrior lord of Negev and Sinai, and he brought sword and slaughter to the enemies of Israel and put them to flight, screaming into the plains or back towards the Jordan.
Benjamin went out to him after the battle, when the killing was done, and the crows fed on the enemies of Israel. And Benjamin said to him, “whatsoever you wish of us, we shall deliver, be it gold or silver, even the vestments of our priests, take all and leave us with naught, yet still will we be in your debt.”
But Danyal would take no gold, nor no silver, and he wished not the vestments of the priests, for he said, “I come not for reward, though I am a soldier of coins, but I came because The Lord of Israel commanded it, and though I am not of Israel I have heard of his fame, and would do his bidding.”
And the people fell before Danyal in gratitude, and he thanked them for their humility and returned to the desert with all his men.
Then it came to pass that Benjamin gathered up the swords of the vanquished and went out to Gath, and there brought fire and storm upon it, and it was destroyed and its people slain, all the people of Gath were slain, and all the people of Gath, 500'000, all were slain. And the kings of Bashan and Moab came to Benjamin and made peace with him, paying many shekels of tribute and swore to never again cross the Jordan, and them having sworn this Benjamin let them go.
But the Kings of the Plain fled away to Mitzraim, and they came to Pharaoh and pledged to serve him if only he would aid them against Israel. And Pharaoh agreed to this request, and this would cause much suffering in the land of Israel.
The fame of Benjamin spread all across the country, and the Kings of the tribes that dwelt therein were fearful for they knew the might of his arms, and were dismayed lest the Israelites come forth from the lands that they had already taken, and stream from the highlands into the cities of the plain, or burst across the Jordan. And they feared also the strength of Basil, from across the Great Sea, and they had heard of Sicel, and the humbling of the Aghlabinites.
But these fears were groundless for in these years the Israelites were low in fortune, and much work lay before them in the rebuilding of the land, of the cities of the highland and the vineyards of the hills; yet this was not known to the Kings of the Plain or to the Kings across the Jordan. From Libnah and Ashkelon they came, from Gath and Kedemoth, from Ramoth-Gilead and Beth-Dagon, and met in council, six kings and plotted against Israel, and when news came that Basil, King of the West had sailed with the sun, they gathered their arms and grew haughty and mighty.
Now Benjamin went up from Dor and he came to Jerusalem, and he looked upon the Temple built by the Ishmaelites, and he looked upon the ruins of the Temple of The Lord, and he wept that all that remained of The Lord's house were ruins. And the people wept also, for they were saddened and felt alone without the Temple of The Lord. But The Lord spoke to Benjamin and to him said, “mourn not for the Temple, for it shall again stand, in times that are not, and the people shall worship again, and the Priests shall be again, at the time that I shall show you.” And Benjamin said to The Lord, “oh Lord of all the Heavens, will I live to see that day come at last, the fulfilment of all out prayers?” Yet The Lord made no reply to him at that time.
Benjamin spoke to the Israelites, “though the Temple is torn still, we should not wet this wound with weeping, for it is old and well-tended, for when we were in Babylon The Lord came forth from Zion in his chariot, and he dwelt there among us, and even in the desert with Moshe did he come with us, for we were not alone then, and we are not alone now, for we were not alone in our wanderings for eight hundred years, nor are we alone now. G-d is with us.” These words cheered the hearts of the Israelites who rose from their faces and looked with joy upon Zion and no longer with sorrow.
These are the names of the Kings of the tribes that dwelt about Israel, who surrounded them in the country. Abu-Ja'far, King of Ashkelon, Dagan, King of Libnha, Ali, King of Bashan, Mengucek, King of Moab, Timar, King of Ramoth-Gilead, Afsion, King of Beth-Dagon. And they rose up with all their strength and fell upon the Israelites as they tended to their vines, and to their flocks, and with slaughter they rose from the Plain of Shephelah, and from the across the Jordan. Many men were slain by them in their movements, many widows and maidens made slaves and concubines. And the people of Israel cried out in terror saying, “Oh Lord, why did You bring us out of our lands, out of the safety of the lands of exile, shall we now perish in the wastelands of Canaan?”
Now Benjamin gathered the people together and he armed them with all the spoils that had been found on the shores of the sea, and he marched with them and they struck across the Jordan, and met the armies of Ali, King of Bashan and Mengucek, King of Moab, and they fell upon them in their camps at Sela, and fought with them. But Bashan and Moab had the victory, and the Israelites fled away with many slain, and the Bashanites and Moabites pursued them into the hills.
Benjamin made offering to The Lord at Shiloh, where refuge had been found, and he learned that Israel had acted displeasingly to The Lord when they had doubted in his strength and repented of their return. But Benjamin made offerings to The Lord at Shiloh and restored his favour to Israel. Though all was dark and grim for Israel, and the people were still dismayed, but this time they trusted in G-d.
The tribes who came against Israel, The Ashinites, the Samidites, the Ibrahimidites, the Doganites, the Rameledites, the Togayites, the Aydinites, these are the tribes of the plain. The tribes who came against Israel, The Parsukites, the Danismendites, the Basbuganites, the Yurekites, the Lawatinites, these are the tribes from beyond Jordan.
And the Israelites stood in the hill country of Ramoth, and looked all about at foes and gathered together their arms and stood ready to die, and thought in their minds that all was lost and that all would be taken from them. But in their hearts they trusted in G-d.
At Arsour the Israelites gave battle and all the men of war from all the tribes of the Plain and of Moab and of Bashan came against them. Benjamin led the Israelites in battle and his sword flew to all sides, for it was The Sword of G-d. But Israel ever were pushed back, and ever they fell back and ever it seemed that defeat would come. Benjamin cried out to The Lord, “G-d remember your people now, and send them succour as they face foes, remember the end of those at Masada, and wish not such a fate on us.”
And horns were heard blowing in the south, and the Israelites were affeared that it signified more foes, and the hearts of the tribes of the Plain, and of Moab and of Bashan, were allighted for they deemed the horns to bespeak fresh confederates. Yet both of them were surprised for out of the desert came Danyal, warrior lord of Negev and Sinai, and he brought sword and slaughter to the enemies of Israel and put them to flight, screaming into the plains or back towards the Jordan.
Benjamin went out to him after the battle, when the killing was done, and the crows fed on the enemies of Israel. And Benjamin said to him, “whatsoever you wish of us, we shall deliver, be it gold or silver, even the vestments of our priests, take all and leave us with naught, yet still will we be in your debt.”
But Danyal would take no gold, nor no silver, and he wished not the vestments of the priests, for he said, “I come not for reward, though I am a soldier of coins, but I came because The Lord of Israel commanded it, and though I am not of Israel I have heard of his fame, and would do his bidding.”
And the people fell before Danyal in gratitude, and he thanked them for their humility and returned to the desert with all his men.
Then it came to pass that Benjamin gathered up the swords of the vanquished and went out to Gath, and there brought fire and storm upon it, and it was destroyed and its people slain, all the people of Gath were slain, and all the people of Gath, 500'000, all were slain. And the kings of Bashan and Moab came to Benjamin and made peace with him, paying many shekels of tribute and swore to never again cross the Jordan, and them having sworn this Benjamin let them go.
But the Kings of the Plain fled away to Mitzraim, and they came to Pharaoh and pledged to serve him if only he would aid them against Israel. And Pharaoh agreed to this request, and this would cause much suffering in the land of Israel.
Glad to hear it. Hope you enjoy the new chapter, and thank you for your kind words.
Ouch
just when the Chosen People thought the worst was behind them, the LORD gives them another trial. They must be starting to feel like Job.Seems the Land of Milk and Honey will not present itself to the Israelites easily. I hope for them it won't take forty years.
I do love the KJV-ese that this AAR is written in; I've only just begun reading, but count me subbed!
Very interesting style, an even more interesting concept. If I may ask a small question however- are you still a vassal of Byzantium, or are you now independant?
I'm most definitely following.
I'm most definitely following.
I was wondering the same thing, but given all the specific DoWs at Benjamin from the various Muslims it's clear Israel is on its own for the time being.
Ouch
Seems the Land of Milk and Honey will not present itself to the Israelites easily. I hope for them it won't take forty years.
You can imagine my face when I got the Tulanid DOW, you could have knocked me down with a feather... in fact throughout this entire early part of the game almost everything that happened elicited a stern , "WHAT NOW!!!!" from me.
What a nice AAR.
I especially love your Biblical style you're writing.
Thank you very much, both for reading and for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it very much, hope you keep reading.
Much appreciated Revan; I have just begun reading Bloodsnake and Battlewolf, possibly my favourite Norse themed AAR. Hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Thank you both for taking the time to comment. In regards your question I am indeed independent, I had hoped to continue, at least for a time, as a vassal of Byzantium, as I thought it would leave many possibilities for story open. however none of my neighbours actually DOWed me at all, scared of Byz doom hordes I suppose... which was very calm and peaceful, but not particularly exciting, so Basil had to give them independence...but I have still got his daughter as my ward, and she is certainly taking to the Israelite way of doing things.
Next chapter should be up tomorrow, G-d willing, and probably the one after that, the following day. I have closed my school for the holidays, after tomorrow anyway, so will be able to tap away without any other distractions.... other than family,.... and probably a party of two....
Chapter Seven
And Pharaoh agreed to the request of the Kings of the Cities of the Plain and gave out orders that all the armies of Mitzraim should gather, and that they should assemble at Tanis on the banks of the Peluse, and this was given out, and it was done. So it was that the armies of Mitzraim gathered at Tanis and the lords of Mitzraim also, and when they had gathered at Tanis they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the seashore in multitude with horses and chariots, very many.
Benjamin had set spies to follow the Kings of the Plain as they fled, and so all these things were known to him, and his heart was troubled, and the hearts of all Israel were troubled and knew fear. And Benjamin cried out to G-d about the armies of Mitzraim, of Egypt the Cruel, and The Lord answered him, “be not afraid because of them; for it shall come that I will deliver them, all slain, to Israel, so it will be that you will hough their horses and burn their chariots with fire, do what I ask of you, and this shall be so. Meet them not in the deserts, or the road, but in the hills.”
These words Benjamin told to Israel, and they rejoiced, but Chanan of the Judahites spoke against Benjamin, “we hold the plain, and its cities are all sieged up by our men, should we run away to the hills, the Canaanites will say that we are afeared and that we are cowards, and they will laugh at us, and they will not fear us. So let us go up against Mitzraim and meet them in battle on the road.”
Benjamin replied, “do not do this thing, because if you do this thing all Israel will be cursed in the eyes of The Lord and shall suffer for disobedience, has not The Lord shown us what we must do?”
Chanan said “yes, but still I say we should fight, and rely upon the strength of our arms and not merely upon the favour of The Lord.”
The arguments of Chanan moved many men of Israel, and so man men followed him, choosing to go forth with him and there arms. But Benjamin would not go, and with the faithful of Israel remained at Hebron.
So Chanan and a large part of the armies of Israel went forth from the Cities of the Plain, leaving men to watch them, and went forth along the Way of the Phillistines, even as far unto the reek of the Sea of Reeds, and they went forth haughty in their power, and preening in their arrogance. And the armies of Mitzraim fell upon them and they were slain, all were slain, even to a man were they slain, save Chanan alone who fled the battle and cowered in a cave, and he was taken from the cave by the men of Pharaoh and he was hung from a tree, from morning until the afternoon of the second day, then he was taken down and burnt by the men of Pharaoh.
When word of this came to Benjamin their was much wailing, and the Israelites were in despair. But Benjamin spoke to them saying, “remember the Psalm,
'hear us O Lord, attend to our wailing,
give Your ear unto our prayers,
know that they go out from true lips;
see the wicked that would oppress me,
see the deadly enemies in their might
who compass all around us;
keep us as the apple of Your Eye,
and hide us from the shadows,
arise Oh Lord, and disappoint them
cast them down with Your Sword
and deliver my soul from wickedness.'
And the people were steadfasted and resolute again in their faith and trust in G-d.
The armies of Mitzraim came forth and freed the Cities of the Plain, and the people of them were heartened by Pharaoh and his power, and they said, “See now the might of this G-d of Israel, see how he flees from the might of Pharaoh. What fools were we to fear Him before.”
So the armies of Mitzraim, and of Pharaoh, and of the Cities of the Plain went up into the highlands there to do battle with Israel and to bring the Israelites low, and the armies met together at a place in the highlands, which is ever called Eltekon, which lay in the land of the Jebusites. And there the Lord came among the enemies of Israel, and the swords of the Angels fell among them, and they were discomfited before Israel, and broken went fleeing into the Lowlands. And Israel houghed the Egyptian horses and burned their chariots with fire, as the Lord had promised.
And Benjamin led forth the Israelites and pursued the enemies of Israel, and brought with them much slaughter and captives, even unto the walls of the cities of the roads of the sea were they pursued. But the Cities of the Plain, yet stood within their strength and so Benjamin burned them not, save only Ziklag, which Benjamin did burn with fire. And Pharaoh himself was taken by Israel and all the Kings of the Plain, and brought in chains before Benjamin, and bade to make peace with The Lord, and with Israel.
So it was that the armies of Mitzraim went away, and the Kings of the Plain gave tribute to Israel, and so Israel at last knew peace in the land, all through the country was peace, though the land was yet desolate.
And Pharaoh agreed to the request of the Kings of the Cities of the Plain and gave out orders that all the armies of Mitzraim should gather, and that they should assemble at Tanis on the banks of the Peluse, and this was given out, and it was done. So it was that the armies of Mitzraim gathered at Tanis and the lords of Mitzraim also, and when they had gathered at Tanis they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the seashore in multitude with horses and chariots, very many.
Benjamin had set spies to follow the Kings of the Plain as they fled, and so all these things were known to him, and his heart was troubled, and the hearts of all Israel were troubled and knew fear. And Benjamin cried out to G-d about the armies of Mitzraim, of Egypt the Cruel, and The Lord answered him, “be not afraid because of them; for it shall come that I will deliver them, all slain, to Israel, so it will be that you will hough their horses and burn their chariots with fire, do what I ask of you, and this shall be so. Meet them not in the deserts, or the road, but in the hills.”
These words Benjamin told to Israel, and they rejoiced, but Chanan of the Judahites spoke against Benjamin, “we hold the plain, and its cities are all sieged up by our men, should we run away to the hills, the Canaanites will say that we are afeared and that we are cowards, and they will laugh at us, and they will not fear us. So let us go up against Mitzraim and meet them in battle on the road.”
Benjamin replied, “do not do this thing, because if you do this thing all Israel will be cursed in the eyes of The Lord and shall suffer for disobedience, has not The Lord shown us what we must do?”
Chanan said “yes, but still I say we should fight, and rely upon the strength of our arms and not merely upon the favour of The Lord.”
The arguments of Chanan moved many men of Israel, and so man men followed him, choosing to go forth with him and there arms. But Benjamin would not go, and with the faithful of Israel remained at Hebron.
So Chanan and a large part of the armies of Israel went forth from the Cities of the Plain, leaving men to watch them, and went forth along the Way of the Phillistines, even as far unto the reek of the Sea of Reeds, and they went forth haughty in their power, and preening in their arrogance. And the armies of Mitzraim fell upon them and they were slain, all were slain, even to a man were they slain, save Chanan alone who fled the battle and cowered in a cave, and he was taken from the cave by the men of Pharaoh and he was hung from a tree, from morning until the afternoon of the second day, then he was taken down and burnt by the men of Pharaoh.
When word of this came to Benjamin their was much wailing, and the Israelites were in despair. But Benjamin spoke to them saying, “remember the Psalm,
'hear us O Lord, attend to our wailing,
give Your ear unto our prayers,
know that they go out from true lips;
see the wicked that would oppress me,
see the deadly enemies in their might
who compass all around us;
keep us as the apple of Your Eye,
and hide us from the shadows,
arise Oh Lord, and disappoint them
cast them down with Your Sword
and deliver my soul from wickedness.'
And the people were steadfasted and resolute again in their faith and trust in G-d.
The armies of Mitzraim came forth and freed the Cities of the Plain, and the people of them were heartened by Pharaoh and his power, and they said, “See now the might of this G-d of Israel, see how he flees from the might of Pharaoh. What fools were we to fear Him before.”
So the armies of Mitzraim, and of Pharaoh, and of the Cities of the Plain went up into the highlands there to do battle with Israel and to bring the Israelites low, and the armies met together at a place in the highlands, which is ever called Eltekon, which lay in the land of the Jebusites. And there the Lord came among the enemies of Israel, and the swords of the Angels fell among them, and they were discomfited before Israel, and broken went fleeing into the Lowlands. And Israel houghed the Egyptian horses and burned their chariots with fire, as the Lord had promised.
And Benjamin led forth the Israelites and pursued the enemies of Israel, and brought with them much slaughter and captives, even unto the walls of the cities of the roads of the sea were they pursued. But the Cities of the Plain, yet stood within their strength and so Benjamin burned them not, save only Ziklag, which Benjamin did burn with fire. And Pharaoh himself was taken by Israel and all the Kings of the Plain, and brought in chains before Benjamin, and bade to make peace with The Lord, and with Israel.
So it was that the armies of Mitzraim went away, and the Kings of the Plain gave tribute to Israel, and so Israel at last knew peace in the land, all through the country was peace, though the land was yet desolate.
I've been stopping in periodically reading this, it's great! Like the style you right it in, definitely fits right for it.
Nice job defeating the Tulunids by the way
Nice job defeating the Tulunids by the way
I've been stopping in periodically reading this, it's great! Like the style you right it in, definitely fits right for it.
Nice job defeating the Tulunids by the way
Thanks; I got really lucky with the Tulunids, they sent a small rmy against me which smashed by first army, then came straight on to my second and i luckily captured the King. I would have been buggered otherwise... 100 percent warscore to them, i thought I was about to get forced to peace out any moment.
Glad you are enjoying
Chapter Eight
Now when the armies of Mitzraim had been defeated and brought low, the congregation of Israel gathered in Jerusalem to give thanks, and many offerings were made to the Lord, both at the shrine at Shiloh and at Jerusalem, for the people were much astounded and amazed at their deliverance from the chariots of Pharaoh, and they gave thanks to G-d. And Benjamin led them in their hymns, an they were glad and joyful, for this was Passover, and this was the first Passover of peace in the land, the first Passover in Jerusalem for many years.
It was during this Passover, even as the Matzoh was passed and the wine was sipped that the first division began to show within the Israelites, even as they gathered in Jerusalem, even as they worshipped and made sacrifice to The Lord the first divisions began to show.
There was within the assembly of Israel a man named Hisdai, and he was a wise man, and well thought of by all men, he came to Benjamin and before the assembly cast his arms wide and motioned to the Shrine that lay upon the Temple Mountain in Jerusalem, and he there rent his clothes and wept before Benjamin.
And he said, “look across the valleys towards the Old City, look towards the Mountain of G-d. Look at the shrine that sits upon it, a shrine of blaspheming, a shrine of idols, and impiety. Let us go up to the city and smash the walls of the shrine, let us make them to dust, to powder, let us strip the world bare of the filth of that place. Let it no longer pollute the waters and hills of fair Jerusalem.”
The people of Jerusalem, the natives of the land, heard all of these and they were angered and alarmed and took to the streets with sticks in their hands, and shouts; and they clashed with the Israelites in the streets and many were slain on either side.
Benjamin called a stop to all the violence and he said to Hisdai, “Hisdai, know you the story of the Tower of Babel?”
And Hisdai replied, “yes, every child knows that story, the words of Torah are known to all the Israelites Benjamin, we need no lessons.”
But Benjamin replied, “I believe it to be that you do need lessons yet, for tell me, what does the story of the Tower mean?”
Hisdai said, “it means the rebellion against G-d, the overweening of pride, and of how the men of Nimrod, at his bidding, strove to conquer high into heaven, to build a Tower that would ascend even unto the Throne of The Lord.”
“Nay” said Benjamin, “this is not the case, for is it not written that “G-d came down to see what they were building?” If it is written that G-d came down, then the height of the Tower was naught for Him to fear, He who is without Equal. This was not the sin of Babel. Rather the sin of Babel was to value the building more than the people, to love the work of the hands more than the hands that did the work. For is it not also written that when the Tower rose high, many men would fall to their deaths from the high scaffold, but that the others mourned not the man who had fallen, but the bricks merely, that had fallen with him. Thus it was that G-d punished the people for loving a construct more than they loved each other, for seeing society as a product of man, rather than as a servant of man. This is why G-d punished the people with languages. Thus it is written.”
But Hisdai spoke again, “I see still no reason why we should not go forth and cleanse the Temple Mount and begin again the construction of the Third Temple?”
And Benjamin replied, “nay this will not be! For it is written that the Temple will rise again from ash, but it is not written that we ourselves must fire the fields, to kindle that new Temple. The Shrine that the Mohameddanites have placed on the Mountain, shall stand, it shall stand until such a time as together all shall build the Third Temple. Look at the streets, look at the riot, would you have the House of G-d inaugurated in blood?”
And Hisdai had nothing to say, and so he went away from Benjamin, and Benjamin calmed the crowds and all sat together and prayed to G-d, the Israelites to the G-d of Israel, and the Mohameddanites to the G-d of Ishmael.
These are the leaders of the factions of the Israelites. Hisdai son of Chassin, for the Hasidim, the Holy Ones, Caleb son of Ahred for the Tzaddikim, the Righteous Ones, Lamila son of Jehu, for the Essenes, the Healers, Baruch son of Amram, for the Zealots.
But Benjamin was Judge over all Israel, and all Israel listened to his words.
Now when the armies of Mitzraim had been defeated and brought low, the congregation of Israel gathered in Jerusalem to give thanks, and many offerings were made to the Lord, both at the shrine at Shiloh and at Jerusalem, for the people were much astounded and amazed at their deliverance from the chariots of Pharaoh, and they gave thanks to G-d. And Benjamin led them in their hymns, an they were glad and joyful, for this was Passover, and this was the first Passover of peace in the land, the first Passover in Jerusalem for many years.
It was during this Passover, even as the Matzoh was passed and the wine was sipped that the first division began to show within the Israelites, even as they gathered in Jerusalem, even as they worshipped and made sacrifice to The Lord the first divisions began to show.
There was within the assembly of Israel a man named Hisdai, and he was a wise man, and well thought of by all men, he came to Benjamin and before the assembly cast his arms wide and motioned to the Shrine that lay upon the Temple Mountain in Jerusalem, and he there rent his clothes and wept before Benjamin.
And he said, “look across the valleys towards the Old City, look towards the Mountain of G-d. Look at the shrine that sits upon it, a shrine of blaspheming, a shrine of idols, and impiety. Let us go up to the city and smash the walls of the shrine, let us make them to dust, to powder, let us strip the world bare of the filth of that place. Let it no longer pollute the waters and hills of fair Jerusalem.”
The people of Jerusalem, the natives of the land, heard all of these and they were angered and alarmed and took to the streets with sticks in their hands, and shouts; and they clashed with the Israelites in the streets and many were slain on either side.
Benjamin called a stop to all the violence and he said to Hisdai, “Hisdai, know you the story of the Tower of Babel?”
And Hisdai replied, “yes, every child knows that story, the words of Torah are known to all the Israelites Benjamin, we need no lessons.”
But Benjamin replied, “I believe it to be that you do need lessons yet, for tell me, what does the story of the Tower mean?”
Hisdai said, “it means the rebellion against G-d, the overweening of pride, and of how the men of Nimrod, at his bidding, strove to conquer high into heaven, to build a Tower that would ascend even unto the Throne of The Lord.”
“Nay” said Benjamin, “this is not the case, for is it not written that “G-d came down to see what they were building?” If it is written that G-d came down, then the height of the Tower was naught for Him to fear, He who is without Equal. This was not the sin of Babel. Rather the sin of Babel was to value the building more than the people, to love the work of the hands more than the hands that did the work. For is it not also written that when the Tower rose high, many men would fall to their deaths from the high scaffold, but that the others mourned not the man who had fallen, but the bricks merely, that had fallen with him. Thus it was that G-d punished the people for loving a construct more than they loved each other, for seeing society as a product of man, rather than as a servant of man. This is why G-d punished the people with languages. Thus it is written.”
But Hisdai spoke again, “I see still no reason why we should not go forth and cleanse the Temple Mount and begin again the construction of the Third Temple?”
And Benjamin replied, “nay this will not be! For it is written that the Temple will rise again from ash, but it is not written that we ourselves must fire the fields, to kindle that new Temple. The Shrine that the Mohameddanites have placed on the Mountain, shall stand, it shall stand until such a time as together all shall build the Third Temple. Look at the streets, look at the riot, would you have the House of G-d inaugurated in blood?”
And Hisdai had nothing to say, and so he went away from Benjamin, and Benjamin calmed the crowds and all sat together and prayed to G-d, the Israelites to the G-d of Israel, and the Mohameddanites to the G-d of Ishmael.
These are the leaders of the factions of the Israelites. Hisdai son of Chassin, for the Hasidim, the Holy Ones, Caleb son of Ahred for the Tzaddikim, the Righteous Ones, Lamila son of Jehu, for the Essenes, the Healers, Baruch son of Amram, for the Zealots.
But Benjamin was Judge over all Israel, and all Israel listened to his words.
Great update again!
It's impressive how you managed to create such a compelling story with so few in-game events.
It's impressive how you managed to create such a compelling story with so few in-game events.
Very interesting update- and nice reference to Babel. If I am to understand, you now should have quite a bit of gold from the won defensive wars? I don't know how much it costs, but could you build the Third Temple if you wished?
Great update again!
It's impressive how you managed to create such a compelling story with so few in-game events.
Thank you very much; you don't seem to get that many flavour event with Jewish rulers so you don't get much to work with, and once the first flurry of holywars were over I had quite a bit of peace; for a time anyway. The struggle is trying to build an intriguing narrative around what you do get.
I am glad you are enjoying so far, and I hope that I continue to impress.
I actually don't have as much money as you might think, most of the start up money the republic got was squandered on mercenaries to get me through the first few years, and then spent on tradeposts and general upgrades.
The Temple costs 1500 gold to build, but doesn't give you any particularly good benefits, at least not yet anyway, so I thought to leave it undone for now. Plus when I got religious difficulties in Jerusalem I thought that it was a good narrative reason to postpone it.
Thank you very much.
I am going to Florence for a few days from tomorrow, but nevertheless I have the next chapter ready and waiting.