Today I'm excited to welcome author Barbara M. Britton as she shares about her most recent release and offers a giveaway.

I was in kindergarten when Sesame Street debuted on television. One of the features I enjoyed was a segment where one of the items (or things) did not belong in a group. I remembered that song as I wrote my novel about King David and how his son tried to steal the kingdom. The cast of characters surrounding Absalom’s rebellion in II Samuel chapters 15-19 were all similar except for one.

In II Samuel 12:11, after David’s sin with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan tells King David these words from the Lord, “Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you.” Plenty of calamity arose from Absalom’s traitorous rebellion. You might say a household of calamity.

Let’s look at the cast of characters—the similar things. We have a cast of Hebrew men who are all related and involved in the overthrow of a kingdom or the defense of it.

Absalom was King David’s son. A son bent on killing dear old dad in order to reign. Absalom commandeers Amasa to command his army. Amasa is Absalom’s cousin and David’s nephew.

But the relations don’t end with Absalom and Amasa (Yes, there are a lot of A names). King David has commanders of his army--Joab and Abishai. David’s commanders are his nephews, and they are cousins to the rebel team. Talk about dysfunction. I haven’t even mentioned that David’s advisor who fled to help Absalom is David’s grandfather-in-law.

So, who is the person who isn’t a scandalous Hebrew relation to King David? The person who doesn’t belong? He’s the hero in “Defending David” because he’s a hero in Scripture. His name is Ittai the Gittite and he is NOT Hebrew, he’s a Philistine.

Ittai is different than the other Philistines we read about in Scripture. Ittai believes in the One True God, and he pledges to serve King David. This is not your typical idol-worshiping Philistine.

Listen to Ittai’s words in II Samuel 15: 16a, “As surely as the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives.” Ittai pledges allegiance to God first, and secondly to King David. Later, he also calls himself a servant.

Ittai is an army commander from Philistia, and he has six-hundred Philistines with him ready to fight for King David. Ittai is truly someone set apart from the family squabbles of David.

I titled this post “A Divine Appointment” because I don’t believe that it was a coincidence that when David needed a friend, confidant, and protector on this earth, Ittai  “just happened” to show up at the perfect time. Ittai’s arrival came when David needed a fresh perspective from someone outside his dysfunctional family.

Another appointment that shocks me in this story is that King David set Ittai the Gittite over one-third of the Israelite army (II Samuel 18:2). What do you think Joab and Abishai thought about their fellow commander? He wasn’t a cousin or brother to boss around.

Do you have a special person that God has placed in your life? Has someone shown up unexpectedly to help with a difficult season? Maybe someone appeared only at a store or restaurant, but they were a blessing.

Remembering Ittai the Gittite keeps me watching for God’s divine appointments in my life. And it reminds me to be an encourager in someone else’s life.

Were you familiar with Ittai the Gittite before this post? Has someone been a divine appointment in your life?

About “Defending David”

When a quiet journey to Jerusalem turns tragic, newly orphaned Rimona must flee a kinsman set on selling her as a slave. Racing into the rocky hills outside of Hebron, Rimona is rescued by a Philistine commander journeying to Jerusalem with six-hundred warriors.
 
Exiled commander, Ittai the Gittite, is seeking refuge in the City of David. Protecting a frantic Hebrew woman is not in his leadership plan. Although, having a nobleman's niece in his caravan might prove useful for finding shelter in a foreign land.
 
Rimona and Ittai arrive in Jerusalem on the eve of a rebellion. In the chaos of an heir's betrayal, will they be separated forever, or can they defend King David and help the aging monarch control his rebellious son?

Find “Defending David” on Amazon, B&N, or ask your library to order it.

Giveaway

Those leaving a comment below will be entered into a drawing for a signed print copy of “Defending David.” U.S. participants only. Non-US winners will receive an e-book.

About Barbara:

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to present day. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. She also authored a WWI Historical set in Alaska. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.

Find out more about Barbara’s books on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Excerpt:

Ziklag, a Philistine town

    Ittai calculated every footfall so as not to spook the piglet. The young animal chewed leaves off of a bramble bush oblivious to its stalker. Ittai had seen older boys wrestle livestock, and if he and his mother were to eat this day, he would need to be quick to subdue the runt. His hands grew slick, but he would not wipe them on his tunic and chance missing a meal.

    The piglet ravaged another branch. How could the animal be hungry? The Hebrew warrior David and his men had conquered many villages before the sun thought to grow tired. Surely, the owner had slopped pens earlier this morning. Ittai hadn’t been slopped in two days.

    Below him, along the slope of the rolling hills, men drank and boasted of their spoils. No one mentioned a missing sow or her babe.

    His prey chewed, and chewed some more, heedless to the noise all around and to the rumblings of Ittai’s belly.

    Nearer and nearer he prowled using other bushes for cover. He may not have fought with the Hebrews, but he would fight this pig and bring his mother some meat.

    His heartbeat surged as he drew closer. The pound echoed through his bones and filled his throat. His nostrils feasted on the dank of the pig’s hide. One swift lunge, and he and his mother would sup for days.

    Ready, and—

     “You’re a Gittite.” A deep voice spooked the pig and Ittai’s feast fled.