**The Tale of the Righteous King and the Wicked Merchant**
In the ancient kingdom of Shelem, nestled between towering mountains and fertile valleys, there lived a wise and righteous king named Eliab. He ruled with justice and fairness, for he held the words of the Lord close to his heart. The people of Shelem revered him, for he sought to honor God in all his ways. The kingdom prospered under his reign, and the streets were filled with the sounds of laughter, the aroma of fresh bread, and the sight of children playing without fear.
But not all in Shelem walked in the light of righteousness. In the bustling marketplace, there was a wealthy merchant named Korah. Korah was known for his cunning and his insatiable desire for wealth. He had built his fortune through deceit, charging exorbitant prices to the poor and hoarding goods during times of scarcity. His heart was hardened, and he scoffed at the idea of fearing the Lord. “The Lord does not see my deeds,” he would whisper to himself. “I am the master of my own destiny.”
One day, as the sun rose over the hills, casting a golden glow over the kingdom, King Eliab sat in his court, listening to the petitions of his people. A widow named Miriam approached, her face etched with sorrow. She bowed low before the king and said, “Your Majesty, I come to you in desperation. My children and I are starving, for the merchant Korah has taken advantage of our poverty. He demands twice the price for grain, and I have nothing left to give.”
The king’s heart ached for Miriam, for he knew the words of the Lord: *”Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered”* (Proverbs 21:13). He summoned Korah to the court, and the merchant arrived, dressed in fine robes and adorned with gold. His eyes gleamed with arrogance, and he bowed mockingly before the king.
“Korah,” the king began, his voice steady but firm, “why do you oppress the poor and exploit the needy? Do you not fear the Lord, who sees all your deeds?”
Korah smirked and replied, “Your Majesty, I am but a humble merchant, seeking to provide for my family. The poor must learn to fend for themselves. Surely, the Lord understands the ways of business.”
The king’s eyes narrowed, for he knew the truth of the proverb: *”The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty”* (Proverbs 21:5). Korah’s wealth was not the fruit of diligence but of greed and injustice. Eliab declared, “Korah, your wealth is built on the tears of the poor. The Lord detests such wickedness, for *”the sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with evil intent!”* (Proverbs 21:27). You shall return double what you have taken from Miriam and all others you have wronged. If you refuse, you will be banished from this kingdom.”
Korah’s face turned pale, but his pride would not allow him to repent. He stormed out of the court, vowing to defy the king’s decree. That night, as he counted his gold in the dim light of his chamber, a strange unease settled over him. He tried to shake it off, but the words of the king echoed in his mind: *”The Lord weighs the heart”* (Proverbs 21:2).
The next morning, the kingdom awoke to news that Korah’s storehouse had been consumed by fire. The flames had raged through the night, reducing his wealth to ashes. The people whispered among themselves, “Surely, this is the hand of the Lord, for *”no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord”* (Proverbs 21:30).”
Korah, now destitute and humbled, fell to his knees in the ashes of his former wealth. He wept bitterly, realizing the folly of his ways. He returned to the king’s court, his head bowed in shame. “Your Majesty,” he said, his voice trembling, “I have sinned against the Lord and against my people. I will repay all that I have taken and seek to live a life of righteousness.”
King Eliab, moved by Korah’s repentance, placed a hand on his shoulder. “The Lord is merciful to those who turn from their wickedness. Go and make amends, and may you find favor in His sight.”
From that day forward, Korah became a changed man. He used what little he had left to help the poor and rebuild his business with integrity. The people of Shelem marveled at the transformation, for they saw the truth of the proverb: *”The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern”* (Proverbs 21:13).
As for King Eliab, he continued to rule with wisdom and humility, trusting in the Lord’s guidance. The kingdom of Shelem flourished, not because of its wealth, but because its people walked in the fear of the Lord. And so, the words of Proverbs 21 were fulfilled: *”Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor”* (Proverbs 21:21).
