The next day brought unexpected callers. As Marah went about her morning tasks, she looked up to see three men enter the courtyard. It was the shammash and two of the village elders. The shammash ministered in the temple along with his brother, the high priest, and was an imposing figure. He had a straight, high forehead, full brow, and large, almond-shaped eyes. His aquiline nose and sharp chin along with his height and lofty bearing gave him a regal appearance. His countenance was stern as Marah bowed her head in respect and welcomed him to their humble home.
Marah’s mind raced. Why had they come? Something was wrong. Had the night wind whispered its secrets already?
The shammash addressed himself to Athaliah who was sitting in the sun with some sewing in her lap. “We have come to speak with your son.”
Athaliah looked at him curiously. “My son is dead, but he will return. He will return soon,” she crooned.
The shammash looked startled and turned to Marah who spoke up quickly in Athaliah’s defense. “My lord, she took the death of my husband quite hard. He was her older son. Forgive her, my lord, she has not been herself.”
The two elders whispered among themselves and Marah heard the word “demented.”
The shammash waved an impatient hand, silencing them. “It is the second son we have come to see. Certain knowledge has come to me and we wish to question him.” He glanced around the courtyard as though Shimei were hiding in the shadows.
“Truly, my lord, he is not here. He has gone to the next village on business. We are to marry when he returns.” She looked up at the shammash, trying to hide her fear.
“You are young. Perhaps there are things you are not aware of. All is not always as it seems. Before a marriage is to take place, we must speak with this one.” His face was a thundercloud. Marah felt he could hear her heart pounding within her.
“You have not consummated this union?” It was more a statement than a question. For a long moment his eyes bored into hers. She shook her head and looked quickly down at the ground again.
Apparently satisfied that she was telling the truth, the shammash moved toward the gate and beckoned the others to follow. He strode a few steps and then turned back to Marah. “He is to come to the temple, the Bit Allah, the House of God, when he returns. We will decide on this matter then.”
Marah watched them go, her heart still pounding. They knew. She was not the only one to share Shimei’s secret after all. The rumors in the village had reached the ears of the council of elders and the high priest. What was she to do? She did not know how to reach Shimei or when he would return. She prayed that he would return under cover of darkness. She would watch for him and warn him of the danger.
Three more days passed before Shimei’s return. Marah had watched diligently each day and listened for him each night before she fell asleep. Her thoughts were troubled. In the Book of the Law, given to them by Moses, the agreement she had made with Shimei was against God’s commandments. She knew she had done wrong, and the guilt lay heavy on her spirit. It had seemed the only thing she could do. Marah made sure that Athaliah was sleeping and quietly crept up to the roof where she could ponder the situation.
She could not knowingly hurt Shimei. Then again she did not want to marry a strange relative of Zibeon’s, should there be one who was able to perform the duties of kinsman redeemer for her. Shimei would have had to publicly renounce his place as kinsman. She thought of pulling off his sandal and spitting in Shimei’s face. She could not do that. Then there would be the question of why. Did the whole village know about Shimei? Did they only want to put the rumors to rest? Her head swam with anxious thoughts until finally she sat down on the matting and wrapped her arms around her knees in the cool air. Then, putting her head down on her arms, her heart cried out to the God of the universe.
Lost in her own agony, she was startled by a village dog barking. She stood up and peered over the parapet to see a shadowy figure entering the courtyard. At first she was afraid, concerned it was a robber or worse, but as the figure stood in the moonlight, she recognized him. It was Shimei!
With a stifled cry of relief, she hurried down the steps to the courtyard. Shimei seemed surprised to see her at that hour of the night. Marah looked around quickly.
“Come inside the house. There is news I must tell you. I have been watching for your return.” When he hesitated, she took his arm and urged him to come quickly.
To their relief, Athaliah was sleeping soundly. They moved quietly so as not to disturb the animals below them and wake her. Marah lit a small oil lamp.
“Shimei, the shammash was here. The elders wish to speak with you when you return. I am to tell you to come to the Bit Allah for questioning by the elders and the high priest.”
Shimei did not seem to be startled or surprised. He sighed. “Word came to me from a friend concerning this. I have known for two days, but there were things I had to do. I thank you for what you tried to do, but it would not have worked. It is too late for that now. I must leave Shechem tonight and I cannot return.”
He knew? “But then why … ?” Marah whispered.
“Why did I return?” Shimei pulled a rolled parchment from his cloak. “We are betrothed, Marah, under the Levirate law you are as my wife, and the only way you can be free of me is … a bill of divorcement.” Seeing the shock on her face, he tucked the parchment on a ledge and put his hand on her shoulder.
“You are divorcing me?” Marah stared at him, bewildered.
“It is best. The truth is known and I am in danger of stoning. You should be free to have a better life, Marah, to marry a man who can give you children … who can make you happy. I cannot be such a man, in spite of my mother’s wishes. You will also be free of the Levirate law to marry a kinsman. It was the only way.”
He had thought of everything. Marah nodded dumbly, her mind reeling with the shock and anguish over the terrible import of his words.
Shimei glanced over at Athaliah who was now snoring softly. His face softened for a moment. He turned back to Marah. Taking out a small pouch, he placed it in her hands. It was heavy with coins. “Listen carefully, Marah, I haven’t much time. Even the shadows have eyes in the night. There are things you must know.” He spoke in an urgent whisper. “Will you take care of my mother?”
Marah nodded. She was fond of the old woman and knew she couldn’t leave her alone in her present state of mind. Then she also feared Athaliah’s reaction when she found out what Shimei had done. Yet if she was divorced … ?
Shimei continued, “This is a portion of the money from the sale of the sandal shop to a man in the next village.” He shrugged sheepishly. “I have no wish to make sandals.”
Marah smiled ruefully at this.
“The man who bought the shop is coming with his family as soon as he is able. The house is Athaliah’s with the bill of divorcement, but you do not have to show that to the elders yet.” He had known what she was thinking. “When the time comes, go to your friend. She will know what to do. I have spoken to her.”
Marah marveled at Shimei’s resourcefulness. He had spoken to Hannah.
Shimei continued in an urgent whisper, “I have sent for a kinswoman, who will take care of my mother. I do not know how long it will take for her to come. As you are no longer my betrothed, you cannot remain after she comes. It is better this way. You understand what I have done?”
Marah nodded again. “I understand, Shimei. I … am sorry it turned out this way.” She felt like she had lived a lifetime in the last few months.
She looked at the strange man before her, at the sharp nose and sallow face. He had aged also in the last few months. His long arms hung down at his sides.
Shimei turned and watched Athaliah quietly. “She will not be sorry I have gone,” he murmured almost to himself. “I wonder if there was a time she ever really knew I was here.”
“Let me get you something for your journey,” Marah whispered, as he turned to go.
She sought to do something for him, before he was gone from them forever. She quickly and quietly gathered up some cheese and what was left of the day’s bread. She gathered some dates and a pomegranate. Wrapping them in a cloth, she gave them to him.
“May God be merciful to you, Shimei,” she said softly.
“And you, Marah.” He patted her shoulder awkwardly, and slipped out into the night.
Marah stood still for a long moment after he had gone. She was still reeling from the import of what Shimei had done. Perhaps it was best, considering the circumstances. She looked up at the small scroll of parchment on the ledge—a bill of divorcement. She dreaded facing the women of the village. Then there was Athaliah. What would happen when she broke the news to her mother-in-law? Slowly she reached for the scroll and unrolled it, looking at the strange marks that had been written. She did not understand them. She must take Shimei’s word for what it said. Then she rolled up the scroll and placed it back up on the ledge, time enough to deal with that in the morning. She put the small bag of coins under her pallet and turned to lie down. With a start she looked at her mother-in-law. Athaliah’s eyes were open and staring at her. A shudder passed through Marah as though the face of a stranger confronted her.
“Has Zibeon returned?” Athaliah quavered.