The Shepherdess
Page 9
In this story I have chosen to suggest that Abishag could have been the Shulammite of Solomon’s Song, and I have taken some of that Song to create her character. On the other hand, I also borrowed some of Solomon’s Song in Naamah’s story, The Desert Princess. As this series continues to unfold, I hope you will see how each of these four women (and perhaps more) may have contributed to this romantic poem of love that God saved for us in Scripture.
As with all of my biblical novels and novellas, I hope the reading of the fictional account will spur the desire within us all to read the biblical account with a heart to understand, to ponder what is written there. Abishag is mentioned by name in the Bible for a reason. It is up to us to understand its meaning.
In His Grace,
Jill Eileen Smith
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the Revell team, particularly to Lonnie Hull DuPont for your encouragement and faith in me, and your editorial eye that sees what I miss and makes me a better writer every time. To Jessica English for your editorial expertise and for keeping my timeline straight! To Michele Misiak and Claudia Marsh and Cheryl Van Andel and everyone in publicity, marketing, editorial, and design. You guys are the best!
To Wendy Lawton for being the first to love my biblical fiction and sticking with me through it all.
To Jill Marie for helping me make it through another story. Your suggestions are always spot-on!
To my family and friends—you enrich my life’s story. I pray mine blesses yours in return.
To Randy, Jeff, Chris and Molly, Ryan and Carissa—I couldn’t love any of you more, and it amazes me that God loves us even better still.
Adonai Elohim, thank You for giving us Abishag, and for all that her brief mention in Scripture can teach us.
Jill Eileen Smith is the author of the bestselling Wives of King David series and The Crimson Cord, as well as the Wives of the Patriarchs and the Loves of King Solomon series. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, particularly those with exotic and organic choices, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Contact Jill at jill@jilleileensmith.com, or visit her website, http://www.jilleileensmith.com.
Connect with Jill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillEileenSmith
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/JillEileenSmith
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2799806.Jill_Eileen_Smith
Books by Jill Eileen Smith
THE WIVES OF KING DAVID
Michal
Abigail
Bathsheba
WIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS
Sarai
Rebekah
Rachel
THE LOVES OF KING SOLOMON (EBOOK SERIES)
The Desert Princess
The Shepherdess
DAUGHTERS OF THE PROMISED LAND
The Crimson Cord
www.JillEileenSmith.com
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