A Passionate Hope--Hannah's Story by Jill Eileen Smith

Author:Jill Eileen Smith [Smith, Jill Eileen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC027050;Deborah (Biblical judge)—Fiction;Ruth (Biblical figure)—Fiction;Women in the Bible—Fiction;Bible;Old Testament—History of Biblical events—Fiction
ISBN: 9781493412488
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2017-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

The walk to Galia’s house took longer than she expected, and she’d had to stop to feed Aniah and change his linens along the way. The sun shone high in the sky by the time she arrived, and for a moment that same awkwardness crept over her. Why had she come? She should have stayed home and worked with her mother. What if Elkanah decided to stop by tonight and she had nothing prepared for him?

The thought caused an ache in her middle that went beyond the feeling of hunger. Her life was not supposed to be this way. By now, after she’d given him three sons, Elkanah should be fully devoted to her. But he seemed to be pulling further away instead of enjoying his sons, enjoying her. Was having her mother around causing a problem?

She approached the courtyard and heard the commotion of children coming from inside the large house. A few of her sisters-in-law were working in the courtyard, but there was no sign of Galia.

“Welcome, Peninnah,” Kelila called out. “You are just in time to help us make the raisin cakes.”

“She didn’t come all this way with a babe to cook,” Varda said, setting her spindle aside and hurrying over to see Aniah. “He’s beautiful, Peninnah. You’ve done well, my sister.”

Peninnah smiled and lifted her chin. “If only my husband felt the same way.”

Varda frowned, and Kelila moved from the entrance of the house to join them. “Elkanah is not spending time with you?”

“He stops by now and then to see the boys, but he doesn’t stay. I try to get Hannah to do something about it, but she won’t.” A twinge of guilt accompanied the lie, but right now all she wanted was sympathy.

Batel, married to Elkanah’s second-oldest brother, gave her a thoughtful look. “Hannah is Elkanah’s first wife, Peninnah. You cannot expect her to willingly share him when you know even Elkanah did not wish to marry you in the first place. He had his heart set on Hannah for years. There is nothing you can do to change that.” She continued to spin wool into thread as Galia burst through the door.

“I knew I heard voices! Has my newest grandson come to visit me?” Galia rushed to Peninnah’s side. “Come, come, Peninnah. You must sit and rest.” She glanced beyond the gate. “And you came alone? I would have thought your mother would join you.”

Peninnah’s jaw clenched at the subtle hint that Galia would have preferred Yafa’s company to her own, but she kept her feelings hidden. “Ima stayed home with the other boys. We thought it best to let them rest.”

“Oh?” Galia’s brow lifted. “Have they been ill?”

Peninnah sighed, debating between the truth or a lie. “They are still napping and Ima preferred to let them. I needed time away, so here I am.” She spoke with a lilt on the last word, hoping her smile was convincing enough. “Besides, I have missed you.” She was not sure now that she had made a wise choice.

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