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I apologize for getting behind on updating this book. I even missed posting my Friday Fun Facts! 🙂

In the year of our Lord 24.

The 1^st two chapters of Book 2 basically give descriptions of the sailing vessels used during this time, and the types of workers who performed different duties, the most important seemingly being the rowers.

Arrius was the captain of this ship, and his attention had been caught by a Jewish rower, known only as rower #60.

“Ithamar, of the house of Hur.”

Chapter three has Arrius calling rower #60 to him (known to us from here-on-out as Ben-Hur) to find out his story. With hope and a happy heart Ben-Hur explains he seeks word of his mother and sister, and how the falling tile that knocked out the Roman Governor had labeled him an assassin.

Chapter 4 starts out like you would expect a children’s adventure story to begin, with pirates chasing down the fleet of Arrius. As it became obvious to Ben-Hur as he observed the actions of the crew around him and Arrius, they were indeed preparing for battle. It is a difficult thing to read that the oarsmen were all shackled to their benches, preventing any chance of escape in the event of a disaster (pg. 92). Ben-Hur was seized with anticipation, guilt, and shame as he wondered if he himself would be chained to his seat as the rest of the oarsmen were. He indeed was not; and knew then that Arrius had indeed placed him in a higher stature.

I will spare you the gruesome details of the battle that took over the sea. As Ben-Hur realized that the Romans had boarded their ship, he knew that Arrius could indeed be fighting for his life, and if he were killed, Ben-Hur would likely never get to see his mother, sister, and the Holy Land.

Both Ben-Hur and Arrius ended up in the water as the ship was overtaken and began to break apart and flood. As Arrius slowly regains consciousness and grasps what has happened, he reveals to Ben-Hur that he did indeed know his father, and loved him.

From page 100:

I shall be duumvir, and thou! I knew thy father, and loved him. He was a prince indeed. He taught me

a Jew was not a barbarian. I will take thee with me. I will make thee my son. Give thy God thanks, and call

the sailors. Haste! The pursuit must be kept. Not a robber shall escape. Hasten them!” (Wallace, 1880).

At the conclusion of book 3, both return to Quintus Arrius’ home, and Ben-Hur is made his adopted son and receiver of everything he owns upon his death.

On to book 4, with a goal of being done by week’s end! (I get a feeling I may likely regret saying that).

Wallace, L. (1880). Ben-Hur. Harper and Brothers Franklin Store.

Ben-Hur. It looks a little intimidating. Even sounds a little intimidating. I have to say I am really enjoying this story. The descriptions Mr. Wallace uses make you feel like you are right there.

Some things from the start of the book:

Reading about the 3 Wise men from a different point of view is interesting. The Egyptian is Balthasar, The Greek is Gaspar, and the Hindoo (their spelling) is Melchior. Each individually saw the star and heard a voice tell them to seek the Christ-child that was to be born. They met at the place where the star and prophecy directed them, and each told their own story of how they came to be there.

As they began to get closer to Bethlehem, they asked those that they passed where they could find the Christ-child. The following was the general response:

pg 39 –

“Nobody knows. They are said to be Persians–wise men who talk with the stars–prophets, it may be, like

Elijah and Jeremiah.”

“What do they mean by King of the Jews?”

“The Christ, and that he is just born.”

One of the women laughed, and resumed her work, saying, ‘Well, when I see him I will believe.”

Another followed her example: “And I–well, when I see him raise the dead, I will believe.”

A third said, quietly, “He has been a long time promised. It will be enough for me to see him heal one leper.”

And the party sat talking until the night came, and, with the help of the frosty air, drove them home.

They do find him, in a manger, with many followers who joined them on their quest, bowing down to worship their new King.

Book two moves ahead 21 years, and focuses on young Judah, and his friend Messala, gone for 5 years and returning a Roman. Judah can no longer tolerate Messala, who now speaks of the Jewish beliefs as if they are a joke.

Strictly by accident, Judah knocks a Roman Governor off from his horse, and this is taken as an attempt on his life. With his whole household, including his mother and sister, Tirzah, in mortal danger, he begs for their mercy as he is taken prisoner. It is at this point that we notice the change in Judah, as he becomes a man.