King Saul writes to Pharaoh Amenhotep III

King Saul writes to Pharaoh Amenhotep III

47After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings g of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.h48He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.

1 Samuel 14:47,48
(Lines 1-4)–Say to the king, my lord: Message of Lab’ayu, your servant. I fall at the feet of the king, my lord.
(5-9)–As to your having written me, “Guard the men who seized the city;” how am I to guard (such) men? It was in war (nukurtu) the city was seized.
(10-15)–When I had sworn my peaceand when I swore the magnate swore with me—the city, along with my god, was seized. He has slandered me: gl (and) (šiirti) (I am slandered) before the king, my lord.
(16-22)–Moreover, when an ant is struck….
Amarna Letter EA 252
(16-22)–Moreover, when an ant is struck, does it not fight back and bite the hand of the man that struck it? How at this time can I show deference and then another city of mine will be seized?
(23-31)–On the other hand, if you also order, “Fall down beneath them so they can strike you,” I will d<o> (it). I will guard the men that seized the city (and) my god. They are the despoilers of my father, but I will guard them.-(!)
EA 252, Reverse:

Amenhotep III conducted campaigns in the 5th year of his reign against the Akuyata territory in Nubia. His reign afterwards was peaceful except for some unrest at the Nile delta. His Great Royal Wife was Tiye, mother of Amenhotep IV.

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