Heretic's Daughter by Michelle L. Levigne

Author:Michelle L. Levigne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biblical fiction, Historical fiction
Publisher: Mt. Zion Ridge Press
Published: 2020-03-01T00:00:00+00:00

"JEDIDIAH IS DEAD." Simon sank down onto the bench inside the kitchen and stared at the sheet of papyrus in his hand.

Just moments ago, the day had held the promise of laughter and peace, and perhaps good news in a few days. Sarai thought she might be with child, at long last. She and Deborah had been comparing signs and counting days. The best gift Sarai could give her husband was a son, but it was too soon to tell if she was pregnant. Deborah had counseled her to be careful with her food and sleep and chores for at least another two weeks, then they would know for certain.

Sarai had been delighted to see Simon come into the kitchen in the middle of the morning, until she saw his pale face.

"Who is Jedidiah?" Sarai asked after a few minutes of silence.

"My cousin."

Deborah gave her a questioning look. Sarai shook her head and pressed a finger to her lips to silence the elderly woman. She would have to explain later, when Simon had left.

Sarai didn’t know his cousin’s name, but she knew a little bit of the story. His father had a half-brother who had managed to obtain the entirety of their father’s estate, even claiming what should have come to Micah. Some of that wealth should have by rights paid for Simon’s education. How different would their lives be right now, if his father had received his inheritance? Would Eliakim have welcomed Simon as an acceptable suitor for Sarai? Would she have already been married to him before Joseph was captured and crucified?

A rough chuckle escaped Simon. Sarai glanced over at him and guessed he had seen the exchange between her and Deborah.

"You need to know, because our lives will be greatly changed from this day forward." Simon closed his eyes and tipped his head back, so it rested against the whitewashed wall. "My grandfather had two sons, born within days of each other. My father was the son of the first wife. My uncle was born to the widow of my grandfather's brother. A Levirate marriage. Grandfather certainly didn't want a second wife, but he did his duty to continue his brother's name.

"There was a chance my uncle was the son of the dead man, conceived just before he died. When Grandfather died, my uncle schemed to be named the firstborn of both men. He was born to perpetuate the name of the dead man, so he claimed that inheritance. Nobody argued with him. But he wanted the firstborn's share from my grandfather, as well. My father was firstborn. That didn’t matter."

"But if he was the son of the dead man, he had no right to the firstborn's share. That should have gone to your father," Sarai said.

"Exactly. You cannot have it both ways. My uncle found several teachers of the Law, and even a few priests, who supported him. They twisted and interpreted the laws until everyone was dizzy. Even worse, they punished my father for protesting that he was firstborn and gave him even less than a second son would have received.

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