Disclaimer: I do not own Philip Pullman's works or the Bible. No profit is made from publishing this story.
Chapter Two
David sighed in pleasure as he finished the final notes to his psalm. He put the small harp down and took a swig out of his water bag. His dæmon lay besides him. Her deep eyes opened and fastened upon him.
"That was a good melody. We should keep it for this particular song."
David made a small noise of agreement as his eyes swept out over the pasture, where his sheep were grazing in peace.
Ariela, David's dæmon, rose to her feet. She promptly transformed from a honey badger into a keen-eyed caracal.
"I see someone coming," she warned.
"Who is it? Robbers?" muttered David, seizing his staff from where it lay besides him.
"No, just one person." Ariela's head lowered as she narrowed her eyes. David shaded his eyes as he gazed out to where Esther was facing. He could just make out a single, dark figure.
"It's Father's assistant!" Ariela cried.
"Really?" said David, startled. He looked out to where the other shepherds were variously stationed. He came to a decision.
"We must go see what Father wants," he declared as he set off at a run. The thud of hooves clattering sounded as Ariela caught up with David in her donkey form.
David paused as he met up with one of the other shepherds on his way down.
"I have to go see my father – this is important. Can you tell the others for me?"
The other man looked at him and gave a single nod.
"Thanks!" David turned away.
Jesse's servant and the plain-looking starling-dæmon perched on his shoulder became more visible as David and Esther drew nearer.
"Eleazar! What does Father want?"
"Hello David," Eleazar replied cordially. "Your father wishes you to meet the prophet Samuel."
"Come again?" David was not sure that he had heard correctly.
Eleazar gave a half-smile. "Samuel asked for you, actually. Something about an anointing."
David stood back, suspicious. "Are you for real? You're sure this is not some joke my brothers dreamed up?"
Eleazar and his starling-dæmon laughed. "I am perfectly serious, David! Come with me, and you shall see."
…
Samuel and his hawk-dæmon stood at the crest of the hill, taking in the dry, arid countryside.
"What will we do if God rejects this final son? Where else should we look?" Aya asked.
"God would not have commanded us here if there was no one to be anointed," Samuel pointed out. "We may yet see the new king of Israel."
"What you say is true," said Aya, "It is indeed too easy to doubt at times. And yet, one can not help but wonder …"
"My dear, I have lost count of the times we have lost the bigger picture of things. While our eyes may be sharp – especially yours – in discerning wisdom for the good of the nation, we still are but imperfect in understanding."
"It is a heavy burden to bear when leading the nation to be good and pleasing in God's sight, especially when people expect us to come up with answers to their every problem," Samuel's dæmon said, her head cocked.
"I am thankful that we do not have to depend on our own weak understanding, but on God's perfect will and direction. I am thankful that He is there to strengthen and guide us in all matters."
"They are here!" someone cried. Samuel and Aya turned to look behind them.
Aya took flight and hovered, her eyes scouring the landscape for signs of the newcomers. "I see them!" she cried down to Samuel.
"Where are they?" the prophet called back.
"Cresting over the hill yonder, one with a donkey-dæmon and the other's a starling."
So it is them, Samuel exulted. He hurried back down to where the others stayed. The people around him were all muttering and gesturing excitingly. He remained calm, his hawk-dæmon settling back in her usual place on his shoulder.
…
Vague figures could be seen in the far distance. They resolved themselves to be Jesse's servant and the final son himself with their respective dæmons.
Jesse embraced his son and then presented him to Samuel with the simple introduction, "David."
Samuel looked the boy over, who sized him up in return. The young donkey dæmon who stood beside David returned Samuel's hawk dæmon's gaze with a forward prick of her ears and a wary, yet curious look of her own.
The boy then spoke up.
"Hi, I'm David. Um - glad to meet you."
Samuel chuckled and the glare of his dæmon seemed to soften.
"Hello, David. I am Samuel, and this is Aya," he added, motioning to his dæmon.
"H-hi, and this is Ariela," David said. He fell silent. His dæmon betrayed his nervousness with her turned-back ears and swishing tail.
Jesse smiled as he came and stood by his youngest son. "Do you find my son pleasing, sir?"
Samuel did not reply, but looked David over. David sweated as he was pinned under the keen gaze of both the famed prophet and that hawk.
Suddenly Samuel's eyes widened, and then he seemed to draw himself up.
"Come here, David," he said in a commanding tone.
David swallowed and stepped forward, acutely aware of everyone's gaze on him. What must his brothers be thinking?
He stood before the prophet and stopped, not daring to meet the other's eyes. He saw Samuel lean slightly forward and heard him whisper, "Kneel down – I am about to anoint you."
In a daze, David obeyed. He felt the grittiness of the soil under the skin of his knees. He felt the cold trickle of oil run down his head, and heard the murmuring of words.
"Witness ye all; by the command and edict of the Adonai God, Lord and God of Israel, I hereby anoint you, David son of Jesse, king of the nation of Israel under the law of the Adonai God as given unto Moses.
"Do you accept this anointing as king of the nation of Israel under the Adonai God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, David son of Jesse?"
"I … do," mumbled David.
"Then rise, David son of Jesse, king over the house of Israel, and may God's blessings be upon you."
His mind reeling with shock, David rose to his feet to tumultuous applause, his brothers cheering and catcalling. As Samuel held up his hand and cried, "God is witness – behold your new king!", David's mind seemed to clear, and he felt a upwelling of strength inside that he knew came from God. David looked around at his dæmon, and he gaped. Ariela was no longer a donkey; she was a lioness, a great, beautiful lioness, her golden coat shining with health. Their eyes met, and David knew that she was settled; this was her form evermore.
Things would never be the same ever again.