Kikianus, the king of Cush, a formidable ruler, marches out with his massive army, described as "numerous as the sand," to bring Aram and the easterners back in line. He's successful, smiting them and taking captives.

But here's where things get interesting. Kikianus, in his absence, leaves Balaam – yes, that Balaam, the magician – and his sons in charge of guarding the city along with the less fortunate. Big mistake. According to the Book of Jasher, Balaam, seizing the opportunity, convinces the people to rebel against Kikianus. They swear allegiance to Balaam, make him their king, and appoint his sons as army captains.

What do they do? They fortify the city like crazy! They raise the walls at two corners. At the third corner, they dig countless ditches and divert the river to flood the area. And at the fourth corner? This is wild: they use their magic to gather hordes of serpents. Seriously! No one can get in or out.

Kikianus returns victorious, expecting a hero's welcome, but he's met with a fortified city and closed gates. "Open up!" he demands, but Balaam, now king, refuses. A battle ensues, and Kikianus's army suffers heavy losses. They try to cross the river, but the mills and ditches drown many. The serpents decimate another group. A nine-year siege begins, a stalemate that grinds on and on.

And where does Moses fit into all this? Well, during this very siege, Moses, fleeing from Pharaoh after, as the text says, killing an Egyptian, winds up in the camp of Kikianus. The Book of Jasher tells us that Moses was eighteen when he escaped Egypt.

For nine long years, Moses lives among them, becoming a beloved figure. He's described as "great and worthy," with a noble stature, a radiant face, and the strength of a lion. He becomes a trusted counselor to the king.

Then tragedy strikes. Kikianus falls ill and dies. The Cushites are devastated, not just by his death, but also by their predicament. They're stuck in this never-ending siege, far from home, and vulnerable to attack now that their king is gone. They need a leader.

And who do they choose? You guessed it: Moses. They decide to make Moses their king.

They strip off their garments, pile them up, and place Moses on top – a makeshift throne. They blow trumpets and proclaim, "May the king live!" They even swear to give him Adoniah, Kikianus's Cushite widow, as his wife. And the people issued a proclamation that everyone must give something to Moses of what is in his possession. They spread out a sheet and everyone cast in something of what he had – gold earrings, coins, onyx stones, pearls, marble, silver, and gold in great abundance. Moses takes all these treasures and places them among his own.

So, there you have it. Moses, the future leader of the Israelites, becomes king of Cush, all according to the Book of Jasher. It's a pretty wild departure from the traditional narrative, isn't it? It makes you wonder: what other untold stories are hidden within these ancient texts, waiting to be discovered and retold?

What does it all mean? It's a reminder that history, especially ancient history, is rarely a simple, straightforward story. There are always alternative versions, different perspectives, and hidden narratives that can challenge our assumptions and deepen our understanding of the past. It’s a reminder that even our most familiar stories have hidden depths, waiting to be explored.