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said: ‘I am making my covenant of peace with him. He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites.’”
    â€œNow that you mention it, I remember it vaguely, but I’m glad you told me the full story.”
    â€œPhinehas is a great man, my son. Better than his grandfather Aaron, really.”
    â€œHow can you say that? God spoke to Aaron face-to-face.”
    â€œAaron also made the golden calves that nearly got us all destroyed, but that’s enough about that. We’re going to be leaving this place soon. I want you to go find Othniel and bring him to me.”
    â€œWhat’s he done now?”
    â€œAbout the worst thing a man can do,” Caleb said grimly. He stopped and turned to face his son. “He’s dallying with that whorish woman from the tribe of Dan, the one named Carphina. According to the Law, she ought to be stoned. Maybe she will be yet. Go get Othniel and drag him out of there.”
    Ardon shook his head, his face registering the disgust he felt. “Othniel ought to have better sense.”
    â€œHe should have, but he doesn’t. I wish his father had lived.”
    â€œOthniel’s not interested in anything but pleasure, Father.”
    Caleb, distressed, chewed his lower lip. He examined the stub on his hand where the finger had been bitten off by a bear, as he often did when he was troubled. “He can change.”
    â€œHe hasn’t changed since he was fifteen-years-old. When his father died, he started going downhill. Besides, men don’t change.”
    Caleb stared at his son, puzzled. “You really believe that, Ardon—that a man can’t change?”
    â€œYou’ve lived many years, Father. You’ve had a lot of experience. How many have you seen change?”
    Ardon’s reply caused Caleb difficulty, and he couldn’t answer. “Well, go get him,” he said.
    â€œI’ll bring him back if I have to knock him on the head.”
    Caleb watched Ardon leave. Then he turned and walked back toward his tent. He studied the people as he walked through the camp, especially the men. I wonder if this new generation will be any more faithful to God than the ones who died in the wilderness . He was not the man of prayer Joshua was. Still, he had faith in God like a rock. “God,” he said, “we’re going to need you. We can’t do it alone, so be our helper in this battle that’s shaping up.”

Chapter 6
    A stream of disgust rose in Ardon as he made his way to the section occupied by the tribe of Dan. His thoughts were consumed with Othniel, and they were not pleasant ones. The two had grown up as childhood playmates and had been inseparable. But as they passed out of childhood into early manhood, their pathways began to divide. Othniel was interested in having a good time and began seeking out young women early. He was a handsome, witty, and charming young fellow and had no trouble attracting their attention. He had little interest in religion, or in Moses’ book of the history of Israel, and this was a matter of concern to Caleb, who had become Othniel’s foster father after Othniel’s father, Kenaz, had died.
    Ardon was greeted by several of the members of the tribe of Dan. They were an unruly, quarrelsome group, and Ardon remembered the prophecy that Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, had given on his deathbed. He had identified the nature of each of his sons, and of Dan he had said, “Dan will be a serpent by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward.” A grim smile touched Ardon’s broad lips. “Old Jacob got it right that time. Dan has some good soldiers, but they are not to be trusted.”
    He stopped one of the young men he knew and said, “Where’s the woman called