Women of the Bible: Abilgail's Story: A Novel by Ann Burton

Author:Ann Burton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-10T16:00:00+00:00

The early uproar at the market created a demand for pots, for many more than my own had been smashed. I took some trade in return, but from those merchants whose wares had been ruined, I accepted a promise of payment.

“But I do not know when I can pay,” Geddel the clothes mender said after he asked for my largest scrub basin to replace the one the shamar had smashed. The mended garments at his stall had been trampled in the dirt, and all of them needed washing before they were returned to their owners.

I knew Geddel had an extended family to feed, and his kin lived far to the north. He worked very long hours, both at home and at the market, and I suspected that he and his lived, as my family did, from hand to mouth.

“I meant to visit your wife and see the new baby,” I told him impulsively. “Let this be my birth-gift for him.”

Geddel lifted his eyebrows. “Our new baby walks on his own now, Abigail.”

I gave his shoulder a friendly pat. “Then you must tell your wife that I am sorry the gift is late.”

When all the pots I had brought but one were gone, I left the market, stopping at the communal well to use my last pot to draw water before continuing home.

“No strings of leftovers today, Abigail?” Ketina, the youngest daughter of Huram the coppersmith, asked as she took her turn at the well to fill her water jars.

Like other young girls, Ketina came to draw water several times daily. She had a lively disposition that suited her merry little face. The latter had been sun-spattered with freckles from going outside without a head cloth, much to the despair of her mother.

“I sold everything, praise the Adonai.” The words sounded lifeless even to my own ears, and I forced a smile. “How does your family fare?”

“All is shouting and wailing this day.” The girl’s big brown eyes rolled before she leaned close and lowered her voice. “My brother Tzalmon wishes to pledge his troth to Devash, the shepherd Noisan’s girl, but her father doesn’t approve of the match.”

Tzalmon was a handsome young man and a good friend of my brother’s. He could be somewhat brash while in Rivai’s company, but Huram’s influence showed in Tzalmon’s genial manners, and his mother’s influence in the respect he always showed older women.

I thought Devash could do much worse than Ketina’s brother. “Why does Devash’s father disapprove?”

“We’re not sure—no one will say outright—but I think it is the mohar her father asks,” Ketina said, her voice lowering to a murmur. “Tzal is still apprenticed to Gowen the stonecutter, you know, and although he no longer has to pay his master’s fees he must earn his room and board, so little is left over. There are fifteen of us at home, so Father can help only so much. Noisan lives modestly, and Devash is his only daughter. It is said that she shall bring land and many sheep to her husband.

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