The Prince and the Prodigal by Jill Eileen Smith

Author:Jill Eileen Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biblical Fiction;FIC042090;FIC042030;FIC027050
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2021-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

24

HEBRON, 1829 BC

Dinah walked with Benjamin to the sheep fields, sensing the boy’s desire to rush ahead and be on his own. He was on the cusp of manhood at thirteen and loved to care for the animals, but their father had refused to let Benjamin go anywhere unless he or Dinah accompanied him. Dinah knew Benjamin chafed at the restrictions, but she allowed him enough leniencies that he went willingly with her nearby. She didn’t particularly enjoy these treks to find her brothers, but she knew they were close today, so she had said yes when Benjamin begged to go.

“They’re just over that ridge.” He was two steps ahead of Dinah and glanced back so she could hear. “I’m going to run up the hill. Don’t fret over me. I will wait for you.” He paused long enough to see her nod her approval, and then he was out of sight.

A sigh escaped. She understood her father’s need of Benjamin. He had lost everyone else connected to Rachel. His heart had become so bound up with Benjamin since Joseph’s death that she often wondered if he would die if something happened to this son too.

She climbed the ridge and saw Benjamin kneeling beside one of the lambs in Reuben’s care. Reuben walked about, prodding the flock with his staff to remain in the open field. Some were so prone to wander. Like Judah, who had not shown his face or returned home since he left twelve years before.

She really should go to Adullam and search for him, tell him of the things that had gone on in the family since he’d left. Had he married? Did he have sons and daughters? No news had come and gone between them, and she ached for the chance to see him again. Aside from Joseph, Judah had been closest to her. But for all of his promises to send word, none had come, and despite Dinah’s wishes, she couldn’t simply wander off by herself to find him.

The desire to go, however, grew as she watched Benjamin move from one lamb to another, his gaze darting to Reuben now and then.

“Dinah,” Reuben said, coming alongside her. “I wish you would convince our father to let Benjamin come with me. You know I would not allow anything to happen to him. Especially now.”

She shook her head and glanced at Benjamin in the distance. “You know Father would never allow it. You travel too far to find good pastures. Benjamin could be at risk from animals.”

“If he stayed by my side, he would be safe,” Reuben protested, though he did not demand. They both knew his request would never come to pass.

“I think it is best that you teach him when you are close to home,” Dinah said. “Father would not really want Benjamin to grow up knowing nothing about shepherding, but he cannot bear to have the boy too far from his sight.”

Reuben nodded and scratched his beard, his expression filled with regret. “I wish our father trusted me, but I fear he trusts no one but you and our mother.

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