2

Elkanah followed Hyam into his tent, Hannah’s brothers trailing behind. The soft light of several oil lamps illumined a medium-sized room spread with colorful rugs and cushions placed along the goat’s-hair walls.

“Come, come,” Hyam said, motioning Elkanah to sit in the place of honor along the wall farthest from the door.

“Thank you, my lord.” Elkanah ducked his head to avoid hitting the center beam and sat cross-legged with his back against a cushion. Hannah’s father and brothers quickly joined him, and once Hyam spoke a blessing over the food, he broke the bread and passed it to Elkanah.

Elkanah accepted the bread while Hyam continued to break pieces from the loaf and hand them to his sons. Each man dipped the bread in the oil and salt and ate for a moment in silence.

“So tell me, Elkanah,” Hyam said as Hannah’s mother passed various dishes to her husband to offer to those seated, “now that you are thirty, you have had a chance to perform your duties here more than once. What is your opinion of the place?”

Elkanah wiped his mouth with a cloth, weighing his thoughts. Hyam clearly wanted to get into a discussion of the corrupt priesthood. It was the topic on the mind of every Levite. “A few weeks is not much time to give the priesthood a good assessment,” he said, gauging his host’s reaction. “But I was not impressed with Hophni or Phinehas.”

Hyam’s head bobbed up and down. “I expected you to feel this way. I knew you would be one to follow the law, unlike our ‘distinguished’ priests.”

“If only we could do something about it. The priesthood belongs in the hands of Eleazar’s descendants, not Ithamar’s.”

Hyam dipped his bread in the oil and then ate it, holding Elkanah’s gaze. “You are descended from Eleazar, are you not?”

Elkanah nodded. “Yes, but neither I nor my brothers can march into the tabernacle and declare ourselves priests. Eli has held sway over the holy things since the days of the first Phinehas ended.”

Silence followed his remark as Hannah’s brothers seemed to contemplate his words. Had he said too much? He hadn’t meant to sound so defensive, but it was true. None in his family were able or called out by God to challenge the current system. It had led to many discussions and debates among his brothers, but they had never found a solution.

“You have been coming to my home to visit my daughter for some time now,” Hyam said, jarring Elkanah’s thoughts to a completely different focus. He watched the man stroke his beard, eyeing him. “As her father, I have the right to ask—what are your intentions?”

He drew a breath, telling himself that he might as well speak truthfully. “With your permission, my lord, it is my intention to marry Hannah.”

Hyam looked at him for a lengthy breath and smiled wide. “You have my permission, on one condition.”

Elkanah met his gaze, a sudden kick in his heart. “What condition?”

“You can never divorce her. Even if she proves to be barren, you can never divorce her or send her back to me or to her mother.” His intense gaze never left Elkanah’s face.

Elkanah felt the heat of embarrassment sweep through him. “I have no reason to ever desire such a thing. I will gladly put my seal on such a promise.”

Hyam leaned against the cushion and glanced at Malka. “Go to your tent and send my daughter to join us. We will sign the ketubah once we return from the feast.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Elkanah felt a sense of relief that the decision was at last made, for he had not known when or how to broach the subject. Strange provision or not, he wanted Hannah. He could never grow weary of her or want to send her away.

Malka moved to the tent door, and Hannah’s brothers rose and excused themselves to their tents, leaving Elkanah alone with Hannah’s parents.

“You may speak with her under the awning outside the tent.” Hyam stood, indicating for Elkanah to do the same.

“Thank you, my lord.”

He bid them good night, his heart skipping several beats as he walked outside and waited.

Hannah’s hands grew moist as she walked slowly from Malka’s tent to her parents’. Elkanah’s form came into view in the moonlight as she passed her brothers on their way to join their families. She did not miss their smiles and mild chuckles as they passed. She would take the brunt of their teasing tomorrow, but for tonight, at least, they would allow her this moment.

She reached the spot beneath the awning where Elkanah waited and glanced at the open tent door. No sign of her parents, but she had no doubt they stood near enough to hear.

“You came.” Elkanah spoke first. “But of course you would.” He seemed as nervous as she, which put her strangely at ease.

“Well, my father did summon me.” She smiled, meeting his gaze.

He motioned for her to sit on the ground, for they could not walk away from the tent.

“Let me gather some cushions first.” She hurried into the tent, nearly bumping into her mother. “I don’t want him to sit in the dirt,” she said, snatching the cushions the men had used when eating.

Her mother merely nodded, and Hannah hurried outside again and placed the cushion on the ground for Elkanah. She sat opposite him and clasped her hands in her lap.

“I hope you are at ease?” Suddenly she was nervous again with the knowledge that her parents were listening.

“Quite,” he said. He folded his robe beneath him. “I suppose if I’m going to keep my word, I’d better start.”

A lump in her throat kept her from speaking. Could he hear the way her heart pounded at the look he gave her?

“I have asked your father for permission to marry you, Hannah. Will you accept me and become my bride?” He looked almost uncertain, which seemed strange since her father had likely already made the arrangements.

“Yes, of course. I would be most happy to become your bride.” Hannah smiled, and he reached for her hand.

“We will have the betrothal when we return and set the date for the wedding.” He touched her chin and gazed into her eyes. “Which I hope is very soon,” he said softly.

She smiled shyly. “As do I.”

Hannah’s mother appeared at the tent’s opening. “I think it is best for you to come in now.”

Hannah stood, thinking the time much too short. But by all accounts she was now spoken for and would soon legally belong to Elkanah. Her heart beat in a new joyous rhythm at that thought.