The Ethiopian historian Gebre-Igziabiher Elyas gives an interesting account of the political replacement of Lij Iyasu, occurred in September 1916.
“And when Abeto Iyasu called the Shewan notables to come to Harerge, one after the other, they said ‘I am ill’, and they did not go. But the notables of Shewa came to a decision, and by a majority vote they made Weyzero Zewditu Menilek Queen, and Dejazmach Teferi Mekonnen Crown Prince, and they were ready to consolidate the government. With this, they sent a letter to King Mikael, blaming Abeto Iyasu and saying, ‘Come and advise him for us’, and they all signed.
On 1st Meskerem 1909 E.C. (September 11, 1916) they informed the notables who lived in the border areas about their plans, that the day for changing ruler would be 17 Meskerem (September 27) – in order to make them allies in thought and comrades in arms. But the notables agreed secretly only with the military commanders and the church leaders, the people did not know. On 10 Meskerem (September 20) the Feast of Atse Mesqel was not celebrated. On this day they shared their plans which they had decided upon, to establish government administration with Dejjazmach Teferi Mekonnen. After hearing their plan, Honourable Dejazmach Teferi Mekonnen – keeping in mind ‘Do not desire your brother’s house’ – said thus: ‘I cannot, Although this concerns me as a descendant of the royal house, I do not desire the government of my brother’. After he had given this reply, the big notables approached him and forced him saying ‘Our thought is that you should govern us; because the government was your grandfather Sahle Selassie’s – even if Weyzero Zewditu is substituted on her father Emperor Menilek’s throne – you will be Crown Prince and guide the government administration. And after Weyzero Zewditu, you will take over the whole government administration; and with full powers, you will make Ethiopia reach a high level. How can you say <<I refuse to be chosen>>, when we have planned this and chosen you by the will of God?’. And many monks came from several monasteries, and because they pestered him explaining that he was chosen by God and giving him spiritual advice, he said: ‘All right; let the will of God be done’; and he spent his time in sorrow and prayer.
I Samuel 17 tells: behold, He chose Saul from the tribe of Benjamin and made him King of Israel; because he dared to break the commandments of God and violate His laws, He chose David, having anointed him secretly, He kept him waiting; in the same way He also chose Lij Yasu and gave him government – and as he violated His commandments and as he did the work of childhood and became unruly, God – whose goodness is endless – anointed Teferi, Abba Teqel, secretly; because He kept him waiting until the time came, and Ethiopia offered her praise to the Holy God’.”
(Taken from “Chronicle of Abeto Iyasu and Empress Zewditu of Ethiopia”, Aleqa Gebre-Igziabiher Elyas, translated by R.K.Molvaer, 1994, pp. 355-356)
Therefore, we know from an ethiopian historical source that the biblical conflict between Saul and David is the allegorical prophecy of what has been recently fulfilled by His Majesty and Lij Yasu. If we analize the story of their fighting, we find 8 fundamental parallels with the biblical tale:
1) Lij Yasu was firstly chosen and declared emperor after Menelik II, not His Majesty. Similarly, Saul was firstly chosen as King of Israel, not David.
2) Lij Yasu has betrayed the faith of his fathers and broken the christian religious bound of the Throne of David, therefore he was removed. Similarly, Saul attended pagan magical rites and followed their oracles, betraying his pact of religious obedience, and was therefore removed.
3) As David was chosen by God to replace Saul as King, so Ras Teferi Makonnen was chosen to replace Lij Yasu and become Emperor.
4) Initially, David was a loyal knight of Saul and fought for him in obedience. Similarly, His Majesty loyally served Lij Yasu as one of his officials.
5) Saul became increasingly envious towards David, and tried to trap and kill him several time. Similarly, Lij Yasu continuosly plotted against His Majesty and even attempted to kill him.
6) As Saul gave David his daughter Mikal as wife, in order to control and bind him, Lij Yasu gave Empress Menen to His Majesty, for she was his strict relative.
7) As David fought against Saul two times, and spared his life 2 times, similarly His Majesty won and captured Lij Yasu 2 times in battle, and changed his death sentence into life-long imprisonment for 2 times.
8) As Saul died during the Philistine invasion, Lij Yasu died during Italian invasion.
