Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times in 3 parts

After they had gone, Procla went over and put her arm around Pilate.  “Now, there, Pilate dear, whatever is the matter?  You don't believe those rumors do you?”

He sighed a long sigh.  “I don't know what to believe.  I just know I never should have allowed them to crucify him.  The gods tried to warn me with that dream of yours.  I should have listened to you.”

“Well, we can't go back now, can we?  Let's try to forget about it.  Once we get home and you start to take care of the backlog of cases, I’m sure you'll forget all about it.”

“Perhaps you're right—I should forget about it, but I just can't somehow.”

“Well, maybe this will help you to forget.”  She placed her lips against his and gave him a big kiss.

The lovemaking helped to ease his mind temporarily, but in the middle of the night, he awoke suddenly, yelling “No, he's innocent!  Take him, not Barabbas!”

Procla awoke with a start and slapped him on the face.  “For God's sake, Pilate, get over it!”

 ***********************

When the Feast of Pentecost drew near, Jews from every part of the area began to gather in Jerusalem.  One day, as Linus, Herod's servant was on his monthly shopping trip and was gathering water from the well, he overheard some Jerusalem Jews talking to some Jews from Beersheba.

“How about that Herod?  He doesn't care that he's half Jewish.  He goes along with all of Rome's suggested tax raises.”

“Which Herod are you talking about?”

“Why Herod Antipas, of course.  Is there another.”

“Oh, you haven't heard.  His nephew, Herod Agrippa just arrived back from Rome and is living in Beersheba.”

“No, I didn't know.  I suppose if he ever comes to power, he'll be just as bad, if not worse, than his uncle.”

“Yes, and from what I can gather, he'd like nothing better than to take over his uncle's rule.”

“Wow!  Now that would be disastrous.  Herod Antipas is bad enough, but a younger version would certainly be worse.”

************

Returning with the supplies, Linus found Herod and Herodius in an amorous embrace.

“I’ve bought the supplies, sir,”  he said, bowing.

“Very good, Linus.  And what news from town?”

“Well, sir, there are rumors that your nephew, Agrippa has returned from Rome and is living in Beersheba.”

Herod sat up straight and reached for his crown.  “Really?  And is that all they say?”

“Well, no, sir.  They say they think he might be out for your throne.”

“Oh, do they now?  And how solid are these rumors?”

“Really, I couldn't say, sir.  I only caught a bit of the conversation.”

“Alright, Linus, you may go, but fill our glasses before you retire.”

The servant left,  and Herodius asked: “Do you think it's true?”

“I don't know, but I’ll find out.”

Linus re-appeared bearing a container of wine with which to fill the glasses.  Herod held up his finger.  “Oh, Linus, see if you can find my half-brother, Manaheem and tell him I want to see him.”

“Right away, sir.”