Gods And Kings by Lynn Austin Read Free Book Online

shadows, but he knew that daylight would quickly reveal the truth of how badly the structure had deteriorated over the years. In its prime, Yahweh’s Temple had been the pride of his nation.But now it stood forlorn, like a deposed queen, clothed in the remnants of her former glory. Uriah shook his head as if to erase the pitiful sight.
    Ever since he’d inherited the priesthood, he’d watched helplessly as the institution that he served decayed from apathy. His countrymen had neglected the Lord’s Temple and the required tithes and offerings for so many years that the priests and Levites could barely make a living, much less afford repairs to the building. Most of his brethren had deserted Jerusalem long ago, ignoring their regular terms of duty to pursue other means of supporting their families. Meanwhile, the worship of Yahweh had become stagnant, stuck in a routine of traditions and rituals that no longer had meaning for the people. Yet the priests and Levites who remained were opposed to change.
    Uriah had deliberately pursued a position of power in King Ahaz’s court, vowing to restore the Temple of Yahweh to its rightful place of authority in the nation. He had sat in the back row of the council chamber for nearly two years, watching for an opening, waiting for his chance at power. Now it had come. The only obstacle in his path was the sacrifice to Molech.
    He sat on the cold step for a long time, watching the eastern sky grow lighter and lighter. When the sun finally peeked above the Mount of Olives, he shaded his eyes from it. He would have to leave soon. The priests and Levites would be arriving to begin their preparations for the morning sacrifice. But Uriah couldn’t seem to move.
    As a man of God, he knew that he should pray about a decision as big as this one, and he found it odd that he hadn’t—that he couldn’t. The longer Uriah sat, the more he longed for someone to confide in, someone who could appreciate the opportunity that King Ahaz had offered him and help put his conscience to rest. He thought of Zechariah the Levite. His former teacher and mentor was a brilliant man, well versed in the minutest letter of the Law. He was also an astute politician, setting the example Uriah had followed in pursuing political power. And although Zechariah had lost his position in court after King Uzziah died, Uriah felt drawn to him now. Zechariah was one of the few men who could understand the dilemma that Uriah faced and offer him advice.
    He slowly rose to his feet, his body stiff with cold, and walked around the courtyard to the rusting door that led to the Levites’ quarters. He paused in the dim corridor outside Zechariah’s room. Seeing his former teacher always brought back memories of Abijah, and with those memories, a sense of hopeless frustration. Uriah had always known that she couldn’t belong to him, but that knowledge hadn’t stopped him from wanting her. He had loved Abijah since the first day he’d seen her, the first day he’d become her father’s pupil … and his love for her was the only thing in his life that he’d never been able to control. He loved her still—the king’s wife.
    Uriah finally forced Abijah from his mind and rapped on her father’s door. While he waited he thought of all the changes in his mentor’s life—how Zechariah had fallen from political power, how he’d lost his home, his wife, his health. When no one answered the door, Uriah realized that he hadn’t seen Zechariah in months. He nearly turned away, then decided to knock one more time.
    “Go away,” Zechariah called from inside. “Leave me alone.”
    Uriah stared at the closed door. He had put on a show of great self-confidence before the king a short time ago, but he suddenly felt inadequate before the man he had always admired and sought to emulate.
    “Rabbi Zechariah, it’s me, Uriah. May I have a word with you, please?”
    Several minutes passed before Zechariah opened the door. He looked