During the time when Dunaan was king of Arabia, Elesbaan was King of Ethiopia.
He was a pious king who was passionate for the Christian faith. He could not stand by and let King Danaan murder the Christians ruthlessly. King Elesbaan declared war on the Arabian king. Although his efforts were sincere, the Ethiopian army was unable to match the Arabian.
Elesbaan was unsure as to why his army was defeated. He went to a hermit who was known for his Godly wisdom and asked him as to why his army did not succeed. The hermit said that Elesbaan made war with haste and did not carry out the commandments of the lord. He quoted Hebrews saying, “The lord has said ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” (10:30) He advised Elesbaan not to seek revenge but leave the matters unto the Lord.
He also guided Elesbaan toward a life devoted full unto Christ and to repent of his original motive of revenge. He advised after he had given himself over the Lord, to them again declare war on Duncan.
After he followed the instruction of the hermit, the second time his men went to battle with Dunaan they succeeded, and executed the persecuting King of Arabia.
Then returning to his kingdom, he instructed his son on the faith and prepared him to take over the empire. Elesbaan then stepped down as King. He left under the guise of a hermit and lived out the rest of his days at a monastery. He was diligent with his fasting and prayers and gave his soul peacefully to the Lord.