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last night?”
    “Yes.”
    “Can I talk to him?”
    “No.”
    “Is he awake?”
    “He was.”
    Getting information out of Shebna was going to be like lowering a bucket into a deep well and raising one drop at a time. Judging by the glitter of anger in Shebna’s eyes and the history of animosity between the two of them, Eliakim guessed that he would probably bear the brunt of Shebna’s worry and frustration.
    Eliakim had never understood why Hezekiah had appointed Shebna—an Egyptian and an avowed atheist—to such an important position as palace administrator, seated at the king’s right hand.
    Shebna was undoubtedly a brilliant man, and Hezekiah had known him since childhood, when Shebna served as the king’s tutor. But the king also knew that the Word of God said, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.” Ever since Eliakim had been appointed to the king’s council, he and Shebna had been frequent adversaries, especially when God’s Law was at the center of the issue. Eliakim wasn’t looking for a fight this morning, but he wouldn’t run from one either. He took another step closer and faced Shebna squarely.
    “Tell me what’s going on.”
    Shebna paused a long time before answering. “The king woke up shouting orders. He insisted that he would walk up to the Temple, but—”
    “Walk! Why didn’t someone order a sedan chair?”
    “He refused it. When he tried to walk, he collapsed. The physicians are in with him now.”
    “Have they given you a report?”
    “They say he must rest. He cannot get out of bed again.”
    “Then let’s make sure that he doesn’t.”
    “How? You have not witnessed his stubbornness! Or his rage!”
    “No, but I’m witnessing yours . Stop shouting at me, Shebna. I didn’t come here to argue with you.”
    Shebna didn’t respond. He turned to stare out the window, his jaw thrust forward defiantly. Eliakim knew it wouldn’t be easy to deal with him in the king’s absence, but he was determined to try.
    “Let’s get to work,” Eliakim said after a moment. “Everything is in a state of confusion downstairs. What needs to be done?”
    “I have prepared the divorce papers the king requested. He has not signed them yet. He is not able.”
    “His hands?” Eliakim remembered Hezekiah’s swollen, blistered palms and shuddered.
    “Yes. But I do not understand why he is divorcing her. She should be stoned to death.”
    Eliakim exhaled. “I asked the king what he wanted to do last night. And as angry as he was, he said he didn’t want Hephzibah executed.”
    “That makes no sense. It is what your Law demands.”
    “I know. But he loves her.”
    “Love does not matter! We must convince him to put her to death. You know the Law; you must help me convince him.”
    Eliakim shook his head. “I can’t do that.”
    “She deserves to die!”
    “Yes, according to the Law, that’s true. But love allows room for mercy and …” He stopped. He could see by Shebna’s scornful expression that he would never understand. Shebna didn’t believe in a loving God; how could he grasp the concept of mercy?
    “She must be executed,” Shebna insisted. “The king must show by example what will happen to people who practice idolatry.”
    “The king doesn’t want people to worship God because they fear the death penalty. And God certainly doesn’t want that kind of worship, either. Faith in God involves more than outward ceremony. It’s a heartfelt belief.” And that’s why I never liked you, he wanted to say. You’re a hypocrite and as much of an idolater as Hephzibah .
    “You may as well return home,” Shebna said suddenly. “King Hezekiah will obviously not be holding court today. I will remain here with the king.”
    Eliakim knew that Shebna would take advantage of Hezekiah’s illness to do whatever he wanted, whether his decisions violated God’s Law or not. Eliakim couldn’t allow that to happen. Their eyes locked, and Eliakim saw