Ben-Hur, Part 4, Chapter 10 summary
Part 4, Chapter 10 of 88 · Book 1 · 11 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 10, Ben-Hur travels with Malluch to Sheik Ilderim’s palm orchard and hears why the sheik resents Rome and expects a Jewish king to overthrow it. He recognizes Balthasar as the Egyptian in Malluch’s account of three visitors who worship a newborn child, and Ilderim welcomes him with permission to try his horses.
What happens
- Malluch leads Ben-Hur through cultivated countryside to Ilderim’s orchard and explains the family’s royal land grant and continuing power over trade.
- Malluch describes how a caravan raid leads to Ilderim losing property and nursing anger against Rome.
- After children offer dates, Malluch recounts three foreigners’ visit to a newborn child whom they worship as king.
- Ben-Hur recognizes Balthasar as the Egyptian he helps at the fountain and questions Malluch about the expected king.
- Ilderim welcomes both travelers, and Malluch secures Ben-Hur permission to try the horses before departing for Antioch.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Ben-Hur connects Ilderim’s religious expectation with his political grievance. He treats the hoped-for kingship as a challenge to Roman power.
Quick check
What permission does Malluch obtain for Ben-Hur?
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