Haman was a frequent visitor to their home. He stayed at the caravansary where he now worked. He seldom spoke of what he did there, but they knew he had something to do with the merchants and the caravans that came to Shechem. Somehow he didn’t seem the type to work at that sort of task, but he seemed always in good spirits and did not complain. He brought occasional small gifts for Caleb and spent time talking with Elon and Jesse about Joppa.
“Joppa is called the gateway to Palestine, for it is built on a rocky knoll that projects out into the Great Sea.”
“The Great Sea?” interrupted Caleb, fascinated with the stories of the caravansary and places far away.
“Its other name is the Mediterranean.” Haman seemed inordinately patient with Caleb’s questions. He believed Caleb to be the son of Marah and Jesse and there did not seem to be a need to tell him differently. It was as if she had always been Caleb’s mother.
“Joppa has a circle of great rocks that form a harbor,” Haman continued. “The cedars of Lebanon were shipped to Joppa when King Solomon was building the great temple in Jerusalem. I have seen the temple. It is magnificent.”
“We believe that Mount Gerizim, our holy mountain, is the place to worship,” Jesse put in. “The Jews worship in Jerusalem, > but we of the Samarim do not share their views. There is none greater than our holy mountain, Gerizim.”
“That is true, Cousin, but the temple is magnificent all the same. Great pillars, courts bustling with many people from many lands, moneychangers, merchants selling doves, goats, lambs for sacrifice. It is a meeting place. Many teachers and rabbis come from far and near to talk to the people who gather there.”
Elon became stern when they mentioned the temple in Jerusalem. “What could they tell the people that we of the Samarim do not already know? When have you heard a Jewish rabbi with any new thoughts?” he growled.
Haman was not deterred. “As a matter of fact, there are many with new and different thoughts these days.”
Jesse changed the subject. “Have you been to Caesarea, Cousin? I hear it is also a great seaport.”
“Yes, an interesting port. Two giant towers mark the entrance to the harbor. Merchandise from all over the world comes into Caesarea.”
“What sort of merchandise?” Caleb asked, fascinated.
“Well, there are stevedores, workmen who unload bales of wool and amphorae, or large clay storage jars used for wine or dried fruit. Much grain is shipped through there. There is also glassware from Syria, timber from Palestine, frankincense and myrrh from Arabia … many wonderful things. These are brought in by the ships and transferred to the caravans that take them inland, like the ones that come here to Shechem.”
Caleb asked so many questions that Jesse, sensing his cousin’s slight impatience, put a hand on Caleb’s shoulder. Caleb realized he had spoken more than he should in the presence of his elders and was instantly silent.
It was time to finish serving the meal. Jesse and Caleb spoke quietly and Elon observed them benignly as he ate. Glancing at Haman, Marah unexpectedly met his bold stare. Instinct told her to be careful. He was too open in his admiration, and Jesse was becoming increasingly wary of Haman’s casual visits, especially during the day when Jesse was at work in his shop. Haman always had a good reason for his visits, a question for Elon, a small gift for Caleb, or to tell about what was happening at the caravansary. He knew she loved to hear about the caravans, the merchants and goods being carried on the trade routes. Haman always had a tale to tell of some incident.
Jesse had been brooding ever since he learned that his father had invited Haman to join them for yet another evening meal.
“I am glad for my father. He and Caleb at least seem to enjoy the many visits of my cousin.” The last word was spoken harshly. “But surely he is not as devoted a nephew as he would appear. It is plain he admires my wife!”
“Husband, you are the light of my life and the keeper of my heart. No man could take your place, ever. Perhaps that is just Haman’s way.” She looked earnestly into his face, her hand on his cheek, and laid her cheek on his shoulder.
He held her close. “I am a foolish, jealous husband. You are so beautiful, wife of my heart. If ever I were to lose you, it would be as though my life had ended.”
“And if anything happened to you, my life would end also. Oh Jesse, may we be as one all the life that God has given to us.”
“May we be as one,” he whispered gently and brushed her hair with his lips.