It was nearing the end of the Sabbath and Elon was saying his prayers. Caleb went with him to the Bit Allah and Marah went to the Court of the Women to pray earnestly for the right decision. She looked around and did not see Hannah or Simon. She felt a growing sense of urgency and quietly slipped out. It was becoming more difficult to go to any public place now. The women ostracized her or the men openly approached her. She knew she must speak with Elon tonight … and Caleb also. She had made a decision.
Hurrying to the house of Simon, she found Dorcas already there. The older woman nodded in greeting, but to Marah’s relief, there was no malice in her glance.
“We have sent for Shelomith. It is her time,” Dorcas said, indicating Hannah, who lay on her pallet. Beads of perspiration formed on her upper lip and forehead. Marah moved quickly to her side. There was a bowl of water and a cloth already wet, and she placed a cool cloth on Hannah’s forehead. She saw fear in Hannah’s eyes as she tried to handle the pains that came and went.
“I am not … a young woman,” Hannah gasped between pains. “I pray our child will be born soon … and he … will be … all right.”
“You shall produce a fine babe for Simon, my friend. Here, take my hand and squeeze when the pain comes. We shall face this together.”
“I … tried … to call … for you. Too late … you had gone to the synagogue. God in His mercy heard my prayer and sent you.”
“How long have the pains come?”
“Two hours. They are seeking Shelomith now.”
“Did I hear my name spoken?” Shelomith appeared at their side with her bag of herbs. The midwife examined Hannah. “It is close. You will not be long in labor with this one.”
“Where is Simon?” Hannah looked around her.
Shelomith snorted. “Where a husband should be at such a time as this … outside!” The women laughed and Hannah managed a smile before the next pain convulsed her.
True to the words of Shelomith, Hannah’s son was born within the hour, just after the ending of the Sabbath. He was lusty, red and alive. Marah breathed a prayer of thanksgiving. Shelomith washed the baby and wrapped him in swaddling clothes. Marah presented Simon his son.
“A fine boy, Simon.”
“A son? I have a son?” Tears of joy ran down Simon’s cheeks as he took the baby from Marah and looked down on his small face. “I have a son,” he whispered. Then, he looked up at Marah. “My Hannah … she is all right?”
“Yes, my friend. She is all right. You may see her soon.”
Simon handed the baby back to be suckled.
Other neighbors came, and the men clapped Simon on the back. “It is a fine omen for your first child to be a boy … and with his parents the age of Simon and Hannah, all the more reason to celebrate.”
Simon poured wine as they toasted the birth of his son. When Hannah was ready, Simon came in slowly and knelt by her bed. There were no words to say aloud, only the silent loving communion of two who know each other well.
Marah sent word to Elon and Caleb that she would be staying with Hannah. Shelomith with her healing herbs also stayed.
“It is hard to lose a child,” Shelomith said softly.
Marah had been gazing down at the baby. She was aware of the longing on her face. Now she looked up at Shelomith. It was the way the midwife had spoken that told her. “You too have lost a child?”
Shelomith nodded. “I was too young. He was stillborn. A beautiful little boy.”
“Oh Shelomith. I never knew. I am so sorry.”
“You have a kind heart. I don’t believe the things they are saying about you. I was with you at the birth and death of your son. I know what you suffered. He was too large for you.” Shelomith’s normally stern face softened for a moment. She turned back to Hannah who was sleeping with the babe at her side. She watched the sleeping woman a moment and turned back to Marah.
“What will you do? There is talk that some of the women make it difficult for you?”
Dorcas quietly joined them. “I saw the care you gave Athaliah. It was a hard task, but you never complained to any of us. You just took care of her. If some of the women want to make fools of themselves, it is to their shame. I am your friend, Marah,” she said, putting her hand on Marah’s arm.
Marah looked at Dorcas and Shelomith and her eyes pooled with tears. How kind these two women were. She felt she had no friends but Simon and Hannah. It was good to know she was not alone.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
“So … what will you do?”
“I am, ah, making some decisions now.” It was not the time to tell them what she contemplated. It would be wiser to talk to Elon and Caleb first and then Ahmal before he heard gossip in the town. “As soon as I know something, I’m sure it will not be long before all of Shechem knows it too.” She laughed lightly.
“Well,” said Dorcas, “I am sure you will make the right decision.”
Marah looked down at the small cradle that Caleb had made for the baby. Such loving care had gone into it. She looked at the workmanship and saw his father’s skill. Jesse had passed his talent with wood to his son. The very thought of Jesse brought a tightness in her breast and unbidden tears. She chided herself and bustled about putting Hannah’s house in order. After Shelomith left, she fed Simon. Dorcas offered to stay, and Marah gladly agreed. She must talk with Elon and Caleb … tonight.
As Marah entered the doorway, Elon looked up anxiously. “We were concerned, Daughter, that you were not here. Hannah is all right?”
She beamed at both of them. “Hannah has a son.”
“Oh Mama, then they will use the cradle I made.”
“Yes, Caleb, they will use it. So now wash, we must have supper and then talk.”
“Talk, Mama? About what?”
She shooed him toward the door. “First you wash, then you eat, and then, I will tell you.”
Elon hurried to wash also. He was hungry.
They watched her face as she served them. When the meal was almost finished, Caleb looked at her expectantly. “What are we going to talk about?”
She sat down slowly and looked at her two men, a growing son and an aging father-in-law. She loved them both, but she wasn’t sure how they would react to her decision. She took a deep breath and told them of Ahmal’s proposal of marriage the night they went to his house for dinner.
“Mama, you did not say anything. Why?” Caleb did not seem to be angry, only puzzled. Elon was thinking quietly.
“This is a very important decision. We would have to leave our home and go to live in the house of Ahmal. Father, you would have a servant to wait on you, and Caleb, you would learn about the trade of merchants. You could still work for Shiva, if you wished.”
Elon looked at her. “Once before I trusted that the one you were to marry was a good man. I didn’t listen to my inner prompting about Haman. You suffered because of my foolish desire to have you marry the man I thought was the son of my brother. I grieved for my own son and watched your deep grief also. You only sought to do the right thing for your son … and your husband’s father. I have considered that this might be what Ahmal had spoken to you about, and I have learned all I could about this man. Everything I have heard is good. He pays the merchants on time and cares well for his animals and men. He is generous in the synagogue and does not have a reputation with women. All I have learned, Daughter, is good.”
“Thank you, Elon, for your wise council. And you, Caleb?”
“This time you are asking me, Mama?” He seemed pleased.“I like Ahmal. He does not pretend to be someone he is not. I think he is a good man. I have also heard others say so.”
“Then you will give me your blessing, Elon?”
“Yes, Daughter. I believe this man will be good for you.”
Caleb looked very serious. “Mama, you have my blessing also.”
She hugged her son. “I will send word to Ahmal. He leaves in a few days on his next caravan and will be gone for a couple of months.”
“You will send him on his way a happy man, Daughter. And give him reason to speed his return.”