The minute the child saw his father coming into the large dining room, he charged, squealing towards his dad "Daddy, daddy, you're home." Herod, using the momentum of his son, grabbed him under his arms and hoisted him high above his head. Antipater continued to squeal "Let me down, let me down."
Doris came from the kitchen to see what had excited her son? Watching the scene unfold before her, she leaned against the archway leading from the kitchen to the dining room. Things seemed to be cooling down between her and Herod of late but she was glad that her husband still displayed his usual lovingness towards their son.
Herod dropped Antipater down as far as his chest and held him close. The child put his arms around his father's neck and squeezed him tight. Laying his head on his father's shoulder, he whispered in his ear, "I really, really missed you"
Herod started moving towards the tall, glass patio doors. He glanced towards Doris and nodded. She knew that was all the greeting she was going to get.
Between the patio and the garden was a large sandpit, built by the house's former occupant, for his children to play in. These days you could hardly see any sand as the sandpit was covered with small well dressed square and rectangular stones. Herod spent many hours sitting in or alongside the pit. His excuse was, he was playing with Antipater. In reality, this is where he gave physical vent to the ideas or problems that played in his masterful, architectural brain.
He was thus engaged when a deep voice came from a figure standing in the patio doorway, "Masada giving you headaches?"
Herod looked up and smiled, "Greetings brother" Antipater, without looking up from his attempts at construction, said, "Hello Uncle Phasaetus"
Herod still smiling, continued, "How is it, my brother, that you always come to visit when we are about to enjoy our evening meal? I think I will carve your name on one of the chairs, lest we forget to set you a place." Phasaetus replied, "My presence at your table bears witness to the excellent food Doris and her cooks present to us, but today I visit to celebrate our achievements. I have brought some wine, and although, in my opinion, there are better wines from other regions, I have chosen the fruit of the vine from Galilee for tonight's merriment. I think it only fitting that the new Governor should be acquainted with the produce of his region. Or what do you say, brother?"
"I have not told Doris, or the household yet. Please do not refer to the matter at the table until I have a chance to anounce it to everyone.
You may, of course, delight everyone with your own good news, Governor of Jerusalem." Herod replied with a smirk on his face.
Doris wasn't sure if her husband had too much wine or being made Governor of Galilee played too much on his mind, but their lovemaking that night had left much to be desired. In fact she had not been satisfied at all.
Herod lay on his back, arms behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. Doris pressed her naked body up against her husband in an effort to arouse him again, before he fell asleep.
Little did Doris know that Herod was quite aroused, but the reason for his excitement had nothing to do with his wife's futile attempts at lovemaking.
Gazing up, his eyes projected images on the white ceiling of the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Could someone be that magnificent and not be a goddess come down to earth. If someone told him he just had a wonderful dream and this picture perfect person wasn't real.....he would believe it.
And yet she was real. He had met her while doing business with her father and his business associates. She was a Princess, a Hasmonean princess, which meant that she came from one of the most wealthiest jewish families in the land. Mariamne was her name.
From the moment Herod saw her, he knew he had to have her. But he could not match their riches, and even as newly appointed Governor of Galilee, his present title would not be enough to sway such an influential house.
He had to attack this problem by appealing to the things the Jews held most dear.
They were astute business men, so it was a no brainer that Herod had to do something that piqued their business interest.
For a long time he had nurtured the idea of building a place where shop owners, selling quality merchandise, could sell their goods in a up-market atmosphere, to customers who could feel comfortable shopping in the presence of their peers instead of trying to hide their faces while shopping in the markets. A classy place where people want to be seen....... a shopping mall.
Herod turned on his side. His back facing his wife. She lay there, staring at his back for a few minutes, then with a deep sigh, realising she would not be having any more intimate moments, she got out of bed, put on her night shirt and, slamming the door, went to sleep in the room next door. Herod, oblivious to his wife's actions, continued to ponder his options.
He lay deep in thought for a long time. He just couldn't think of any more ideas how he could connect with the Hasmonean family to further his position to a point where he could ask for Mariamne's hand in marriage. In fact he didn't want to ask. He wanted to be in a position whereby they would approach him, and ask if he would consider marrying their daughter.
The Jewish people may have been good shopkeepers and business people, but they led simple yet strict lives. Everything revolved around their religion, their God's laws dictated the way they lived. Even their business life was governed by their obedience to ADONAI.
They went to the synagogue every Shabbat, dressed in their finest. Perhaps he should volunteer to pruce up the synagogues, they all seemed so drab. If they wanted to dress up they should worship in a temple.....but Oh yes!they didn't have one. King Solomon's temple was in ruins. The Jewish people mourned the destruction of the temple. They hated the Babelonians for what they did. Suddenly a thought entered Herod's head.....but would they not love the person who restored the temple. Would they not sing the praises of him who rebuilt the temple. Would they not hold such a person in high esteem. Would they not be indebted to that person and refuse him nothing. Would they not give their daughters as gifts to the man who undertook such a great task. Would the Hasmoneans not think that such a man be deemed worthy to be the husband of their princess.
It suddenly all became very clear to Herod. He knew what he had to do. He would give the Jewish people the two things they so wished for; commerce and religion. He would combine the two, and build a temple with an adjoining shopping mall.
Mariamne would be his.
