Israel-David King/Berenice Last Queen
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David settled in Hebron with his two wives, Ahinoam of Israel, and Abigail, widow of Nabul of Carmel. Though multiple wives was the custom of the land, and David would add more, he truly believed that his love for God reciprocated God’s love for him, for how else could he have escaped all his enemies and trials? As he settled peacefully in Hebron, the eternal mutual love and intimacy with God permitted him the intimacy on earth in poetry and affection for his other two wives, Israel and God. David felt the seconds slipping. He accomplished his mission, the coded message of his birth. That night was pure springtime, with stars glittering and brightening creation. David looked through the window but found no stars, for a black blanket covered the heavens. As his heart pounded in failure – the hammer driving tombstone into the rock of ages-- So ended the life of David, king of Israel. Alone, stripped of life, inside a cave, and she a queen of Judea, final thought, "The children of the God of Israel will forever wander the face of the earth." She ignored his gaze. "Perhaps he has not been born yet?" Titus moved toward her, his desire beyond control. Suddenly the sound of trumpets blared loudly. Vespasian had reached the Carmel. As Berenice lay devastated at her total failure in life, she repeated over and over, "Failure, failure, oh God, why have You forsaken me!"
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About the Book
David and Bathsheba were lovers from childhood to death. Their marriage was aborted through trickery so that the latter adultery was a symbolic consummation. As King David had that rare combination of pious soldier and beloved leader who unashamedly expressed his love of God through a marvelous collection of religious poetry: the Psalms. He sinned in a moment of weakness and was duly punished in horrible events, yet he remained the ‘sweet singer in Israel’ creator of Jerusalem three thousand years ago. Two thousand years ago, Berenice was the most beautiful woman of her age and the last queen of Israel, the final descendant of King David. Her deep devotion to God and His holy temple in Jerusalem required acquiescence to Roman rule and might. She set in motion complicated exotic plans to save the temple and her subjects involving Emporer Vespasian, Titus, and a host of Luminaries. The surprising failure cost Berenice her honored place in history.
About the Author
An internationally acclaimed expert in automotive color and inventor, a member of the "Flying Tigers" in World War II; Hebrew Scholar and historian, Sol Panush is the author of Automotive Color and Pigments - first and second editions, The Theology of Color – Color in the Bible, The Splice of Moments - a two volume autobiography, among other articles and publications. Sylvia and Sol Panush have been married for 60 years. They live in Farmington Hills, Michigan. They have 15 grandchildren.