Shenir, Dedan's younger brother had been angry and jealous of Dedan because their father had decided Shenir was not to go with them today.

"Why do you get to do everything and I do not," he had yelled at Dedan.

He deserved not going, suits him right for saying all of those things about me, thought Dedan.

Twelve-year old Dedan,  firstborn son, was starting his training to take over his father's position when he became old.  Dedan glanced nervously at his father as they neared the top of the mountain.  When he was young did he ever feel fearful about growing up as I do?

In the afternoon Dedan and Ahishar were walking toward piles of Lebanese cedar logs. What was that? Was that someone ducking down behind those piles?  It looked a little like Shenir. Oh, no, it was Shenir. What is he doing up here?  Should I tell father. What will he do to him?  If I tell father, Shenir will never forgive me, but if I do not tell father, I will be punished for knowing he was here and not telling him.  I just cannot tell on him. He turned his back and pretended to listen to his father talk to the manager of the ceder logs.

It was evening when they were finally walking back down the mountain toward the palace.

"Master." They looked up to see a servant running toward them.

"What is wrong Shalloha?" Ahishar asked.

"Your son, Shenir is missing, sir."

"When was this discovered?" asked Ahishar.

"Just now, your honor."

They all ran down to the palace. I am in great trouble now, Dedan thought. I cannot tell everyone that I saw him hours ago and did not say anything about it then.  I must do something.  I will just have to go find him myself.  Just then a psalm ran through his mind: "God is a present help in trouble." I will surely need all the help I can get.

Quietly, trembling slightly, Dedan carried his sandals so that he would not be heard crossing the cool stone floor to the front door.  As he passed a room he could hear his father ordering a search party.

Tip-toeing, he was soon outside the doors. Putting his sandals on, he ran up the steep terraced mountain road to the temple mount. When he got to the cedar logs, he looked around, then chose a narrow street and ran down it.  He could hear several dogs barking in the distance.  This street is called Butchers Way.  I guess they're fighting over some meat scraps.

He passed the open door of a butcher shop.  The sound of dogs became increasingly louder as he ran on.  Dedan stopped.  Five dogs were  facing a tall pile of assorted rubble in the left corner at the end of the street. They were leaping up at the boxes.  A boy was trapped on top.  He was crouched as close to the back wall as possible.  Just then the boy moved.  Dedan gasped. Its Shenir.  How did he get here?

Dedan dodged down behind a pile of old baskets and junk to his right.  I have got to come up with a way to get him away from those dogs.  I need something to divert their attention.  I know, I will go bask and ask the butcher if I can have some meat scraps to get the dogs away from Shenir.  He slowly rose to his feet, backed carefully away, turned and ran back to the butcher shop.

Ducking his head into the shop he cried, "Please help me.  My brother is surrounded by some angry dogs and I cannot get him away from them by myself.  Could I have some scraps of meat to throw at them?"  The butcher looked him up and down.

"Who do you think you are, asking for free meat?"

"Please help me.  My father is governor of King Solomons household and I will have him pay you for any meat I use."

"How do I know you are who you claim to be?"

Dedan showed him the ring he wore on his left hand. On it was engraved the symbol of his family.

"Oh, alright, this time."

The butcher gave him some large scraps of lamb and he ran back down the street.  He stopped at the junk pile.  Picking up a stick, Dedan banged hard against the wall as he left the refuge. The dogs stopped yapping and turned to bark at Dedan.  He heaved each piece of meat off to the right.  The dogs stopped barking, sniffed the air and charged the meat.

"Shenir, Shenir, climb down, now!" Dedan cried.

A quivering "Whos... there?" Came out from under Shenirs arms.  Dedan climbed the boxes, when he reached Shenir, he dragged him down.

"Come on, Shenir, weve got to get away from here right now.  Run!"

They ran up the street and panting, finally reached the butchers shop.

"Thank you, Dedan," Shenir said. "Can you forgive me for all I said about you today?  You saved me back there."

"I forgive you.  Can you forgive me for all the things I have said to you?"

Just then, a large group of men with torches were coming toward them.

"Shenir!  Dedan!"

Here comes father.  With lowered head, Dedan thought, I'm in trouble now.

Ahishar was upon them.  Kneeling, he gathered both of them into his large arms.  He held them both very close to his chest, his dark head bent over theirs.

"First I thought I had lost one son, then I found that Dedan was missing, too.  I am so grateful the Almighty has heard my prayers and returned my beloved sons to me."

Dedan told his father what had happened that day.  "Father, please forgive me, its all my fault.  This would not have happened if I had told you that I had caught a glimpse of Shenir earlier today.  I was afraid he would be mad at me if I told on him.  It is too bad I had to learn the hard way that if I had told you in the beginning this would not have happened."

Ahishar said, "I forgive you, son.  Though, I do not condone the fact that you protected your brother's disobedience.  Yet, I am proud of you for overcoming your fears in such a dangerous situation."

Dedan smiling wearily, felt a little older.

Later, as he and Shenir were being led to their rooms, Dedan turned his head and said, "Thank you, father."