“I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything then. But let us leave these festivities and sup in my tent.” His gaze grew intent. “If you are willing?”
She nodded, feeling a lump in her throat as he led her past the women and the feasting tribe, past the tent she had called home since she had joined Israel. Salmon lifted the flap to his own tent, and she ducked inside, drawing in a quick breath at the transformation. Candles lit up the room, and the scent of frankincense lightly filled the air.
She turned to face him. “It’s beautiful. You did all of this?”
He gave her a sheepish look. “Eliana and some of the elders’ wives helped me in their spare time.”
“Still, it’s lovely.” She had never been at a loss for words with a man, but now she found she could not find her voice to say more.
“I know this is not a first marriage for you,” he said, gently guiding her to his side of the tent, where more candles and spices greeted her. A white linen sheet lay atop a plush mat—a bridal sheet that fathers kept on behalf of their virgin daughters. Something she would not need.
“Joshua will keep this for you,” Salmon said, pointing to the very sheet that stared up at her now.
“He will have no need. I am not a virgin.”
Salmon shrugged. “We have prayed for you, and in my eyes, in God’s eyes, you are.”
“Joshua is very kind to act in place of my father.”
Salmon smiled. “He will have my hide if I ever mistreat you. He considers you a daughter to him.”
She blinked, aware of the sudden moisture in her eyes.
Salmon touched her veil and slowly undid the clasp. When her shorn head lay visible before him, he knelt at her feet and kissed them. Tears filled her eyes as he slowly untied her sandals, still bowed before her. Something inside her urged her to place both hands on his head, and as she did so, he slowly rose until her arms fell to his shoulders and his came about her waist.
His kiss was slow and gentle, warm and careful, growing ever more possessive, yet never overbearing. He held her, stroking her back, then whispered words of kindness in her ear.
“You are beautiful, my Rahab. Do you even realize how special you are to me? Can you ever forgive the pride I held in my heart against you, a child of Jericho yet also chosen of God?”
“You had every reason to feel as you did, Salmon. I am—was a prostitute. I deserved your condemnation.” She looked beyond him, but his gentle fingers under her chin tugged her back to look at him.
“You are a prostitute no more. You are my bride.” He kissed her again until her knees grew so weak she needed his strength to remain standing.
He removed her robe and led her to the bridal cushions. He removed his tunic from his lean body and pulled her close. “Now, no more of this talk.” His kiss lingered, and she saw the smile in his eyes.
He accepted her. Truly. Completely.
The following morning as they rose from the bed, Rahab stared at the stain of blood in the center of the sheet, something she had not seen since her wedding night with Gamal, a lifetime ago.
She knelt beside it. “This is not possible.” She looked up into Salmon’s clear dark eyes.
He squatted at her side and pulled the sheet closer. “I must take this to Joshua.”
“But . . .”
His finger to her lips silenced her. “Nothing is impossible with God, beloved.”
Salmon lifted the sheet with the blood exposed and carried it from the tent to Joshua’s door. Men of the city still lay sprawled across the court area. Rahab stood at the outskirts as Salmon called Joshua’s name.
“Joshua!”
The man emerged a few moments later, bleary-eyed, and drew a hand over his beard. He looked around at the men, who were slowly rising now. “Salmon, my son.” Joshua’s voice rang clear above the crowd.
“Here is the bridal sheet to prove my wife’s virginity. As leader you have promised to keep it for her.” Salmon walked forward and placed it in Joshua’s hands.
Joshua examined it, then looked at Salmon. “I accept your pledge, my son. There is nothing to be held against your bride. May God bless your union.”
Salmon nodded his thanks, then turned and walked back to her side. He took her hand in his and led her toward the Jordan River, though she carried no jug in her arms.
“My lord, shouldn’t I fetch the water jar?”
He shook his head. “This is our time. Eliana’s daughters will gather the water today.”
She accepted his words and the silence that followed, feeling warmed by the strange comfort of his hand in hers.
When they reached the Jordan’s bank, he pulled her onto a grassy spot and cradled her in his arms. “This will be our memory place,” he said against her ear. “This is where Mishael and I crossed over to spy out Jericho, where I first met you. And this river is where we were both washed clean of the dark things in our hearts.” He leaned around her to glimpse her face and kissed her cheek.
She nestled closer into his embrace, barely daring to believe how blessed she felt. After all of the hurt she had endured, God had taken the years and remade them, giving her hope.
“Thank you,” she whispered, listening to the buzz of insects in the foliage around them. “And thank You, Adonai.”
Salmon rested his head atop hers.
Rahab’s heart felt light at his touch, at the gentle way he held her. Perhaps her future would truly be far better than her past. She glanced toward the skies, her heart full of gratitude.
Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
The boisterous cry of the babe brought a surge of laughter to Rahab’s lips. “Hurry! Let me see him.” The midwife handed him off to Eliana while she continued to tend to Rahab.
“You must be patient, my dear girl.”
“Is he born?” Salmon poked his head into the birthing tent, an unheard-of action, but Rahab smiled at him.
“He is born. But Eliana seems to think his mother should be the last person to hold him.” Rahab stuck her lip into a pout, evoking soft laughter from Salmon.
“Well, perhaps she has good reason.” He was teasing her, and she loved him for it.
Love. Until this moment she did not realize how much she truly did love Salmon, the father of her new son. A son who lived and even now lay crying beneath Eliana’s ministrations.
“I’m hurrying, I’m hurrying,” Eliana said to the boy. “My, my, little one, you are as impatient as your mother!” She tucked the swaddling cloths around the baby and turned, holding him up for Salmon to see.
A moment later, Joshua stepped into the tent behind Salmon. “You men do not belong in here,” Eliana scolded. “What will people think?”
Joshua walked over to peer at the boy, while Rahab allowed the midwife to settle her among fresh linens and cushions. “They will think this boy has many people anxious to see him, to bless him.”
“Not until his mother gets to hold him.” Rahab held out her arms, and this time Eliana placed the babe within them.
Rahab’s heart stirred as she looked into the dark liquid eyes of her son. So beautiful. So perfect. She directed his mouth to her breast and covered herself lest she embarrass Salmon in front of Joshua. The pull of his mouth brought such a surge of joy to her heart that she could not stop the tears. She stroked his cheek with one finger beneath the blanket and felt the soft wisp of hair clinging to his head.
“What will you name him?” Salmon asked, tears filling his loving gaze as he knelt at her side. He lifted the blanket to peek beneath the fold. A deep sigh escaped his lips. “He will be a prince in Judah.”
“As you are, my son,” Joshua said.
“I thought we could name him Boaz.” Rahab looked into Salmon’s eyes, reading his familiar, kind expression. She had not discussed names with him until now for fear the babe would not be born healthy. But Adonai had shown great mercy in allowing her to keep this child.
“Swiftness. He shall be as fast
as a gazelle.” Salmon smiled, showing a soft dimple above the hairs of his dark beard.
“And impatient, like his mother,” Eliana said.
Rahab laughed softly. Boaz was as anxious to nurse as she had been to hold him. But perhaps both of them would settle into patience like Salmon’s in time. She would hold on to these days with him and take none for granted. She already knew how quickly life could change.
“He’s a beautiful child, Rahab,” Eliana said, taking Joshua’s arm. “When he is done nursing, we will let these men bless him.” Eliana turned to her husband, and Rahab saw in them the only grandparents her boy would know. How blessed she was to have them in her life. “But for now, we will leave the three of you alone. Let Salmon greet his son.”
They turned and left the tent, but Salmon lingered at her side. She was unclean, and he couldn’t stay with her long, but he fingered a length of her hair, which had already grown past her shoulders during her pregnancy. He brushed it deftly behind her ear.
“I love you, you know.” He pushed the blanket from covering the child’s head.
“I know,” she said, her smile gentle. “I would kiss you if I could. To thank you for my son.”
“Your son?” He lifted a brow.
“Our son.” She had to stop thinking so selfishly, so self-preserving. “I’m just feeling rather possessive right now.”
He nodded. “But you will allow his father to hold him?” He stroked her cheek, then let his finger trail to the babe’s soft skin.
She released the boy’s mouth from her breast and lifted him to Salmon’s arms. “Don’t drop him.” She smirked, and his responding smile told her he caught her jest.
He pulled the boy close to his heart, and Rahab thought she could almost hear their hearts’ simultaneous beating, in rhythm with her own. They were a family. In eight days, Boaz would be circumcised and join the ranks of Israel. And she would be forever in this royal line of Judah, whether a king ever came from her future grandchildren or not.
“We will raise him to be a good man, a man who obeys Adonai’s ways,” Salmon said, glancing at her.
She nodded. “When he is grown, he will have to choose for himself what he will do, whom he will obey, just as we did.”
His sober look made her heart beat faster. “We will pray he makes the right choices.” He handed the boy back to her, then leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I have no doubt, beloved, that you will make the best mother in Israel. And our son will learn the ways of Adonai because of you.”
Tears filled her eyes that he had such faith in her, a prostitute.
Former prostitute, she corrected herself.
Forgiven prostitute.
Who had married a prince in Judah.
Note from the Author
I hope you have enjoyed my perspective on Rahab’s life. Of course, there are many books written about Rahab and no two are completely alike. There is very little given to us in Scripture on her story. All we know from the Old Testament is that she was a prostitute who saved the spies of Israel and lived in Israel after Jericho was destroyed.
Some Jewish commentaries on Rahab suggest that she married Joshua. Since the Bible does not tell us about Joshua’s family (other than his father’s name and the fact that he does have a “house,” meaning family), it is a conclusion some might make. I don’t happen to agree because I see it from a Christian perspective.
In the New Testament, Rahab is mentioned in Hebrews 11 and James 2 for her faith. And she is listed in Matthew’s first chapter in the genealogy of Jesus, who is called the Christ (Messiah). In that genealogy, she is listed as married to Salmon, son of Nahshon, of the tribe of Judah, and mother of Boaz. That is why I don’t believe she married Joshua.
One interesting note on Salmon’s history. His father, Nahshon, is listed several times in Numbers as a leader and commander of his tribe—a prince in Judah (see 1 Chron. 2:10–11 ESV). That this legacy of leadership was passed down from Nahshon to Salmon seems highly plausible to me, which is why I chose to show him as one of the leaders under Joshua’s command. Salmon was in the chosen line of Judah to father Israel’s future kings—most famously, David and Solomon.
Rahab’s story was not an easy one to write, despite these interesting findings in Scripture. Part of the problem came in trying to understand the why. What led Rahab into prostitution? Was she truly a prostitute or just an innkeeper, as some have suggested? If her father had sold her into prostitution (another plausible possibility), would she have wanted so badly to save her family? I tried to imagine myself in her place. What resentments might she have carried against men? What trust issues?
And what kind of man would want to marry a prostitute? In the book of Hosea, God told Hosea to marry a prostitute. We have no record of Salmon receiving a similar commission. So was Salmon drawn to Rahab’s beauty? Her character? Or something more?
One thing the writing of this book has taught me is this: faith is a gift we can’t earn, yet obedience accompanies true belief. I believe Rahab may have struggled with some of the laws of the God of Israel, which were so different from all she had known. But even in her struggles, she pledged her allegiance to Israel and God rewarded her faith, giving her a place in His Book, a lasting legacy.
May God grant each of us faith to believe as Rahab did. Even amidst our doubts.
In His Grace,
Jill Eileen Smith
Acknowledgments
As with every book, the ideas may be mine, but the help in fleshing them out and making them real on the page comes from many other people. The Crimson Cord would not be in your hands without the sacrifice and kindness of those friends and family.
I would like to publicly thank the Revell team—editorial, marketing, publicity, design. I thank God for each one of you! Special thanks to Lonnie Hull DuPont (editor extraordinaire and a woman I am privileged to call friend), Jessica English (I’m not sure I can write a book without your suggestions and support!), Michele Misiak (you are the best!), Cheryl Van Andel (your cover designs make the books come to life for me!), Claudia Marsh (great publicist and so much fun!), Twila Bennett (I love visiting Revell and chatting with you!), Jen Leep (thank you for your innovative ideas!), Robin, Lindsay, Janelle, and the rest of the team—thank you, every one of you!
My agent, Wendy Lawton—thank you for being a prayer warrior as well as a great business partner and friend.
To my two critique buds, Jill Stengl and Kathleen Fuller. I don’t know where this book would be without you! Dare I mention that you sent me back to the drawing board three times? But every comment helped me grow, and for that I sincerely thank you. I love you guys!
To the writing groups who allow me to remain among them and put up with too many prayer requests and a lot of questions! You girls have upheld me when my arms grew weak, and I felt your prayers when life took so many difficult turns during the writing of this book. I’m honored to call you friends.
To the readers who tell their friends about these books—I thank you!
To my forever friends—you know who you are.
To my guys and my girls—Jeff, Chris and Molly, Ryan and Carissa—I hope you know how much I love you! I love that we all love the arts in one form or another.
To Randy—how the years change our circumstances, but after nearly thirty-eight years together, the journey just grows richer. What a great God we serve, and I get to do so loving you forever!
Yahweh my Elohim—You are Elohim of heaven and earth. Thank You for giving us Rahab’s story and for saving her in one simple act of faith.
Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and the ebook novella The Desert Princess, first in 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 enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She can often be found reading, testin
g new recipes, grabbing lunch with friends, or snuggling Tiger, her little writing buddy who chews her fingers as she works. She lives with her family in southeast Michigan. She loves hearing from her readers.
Contact Jill at [email protected], or visit her website: http://www.jilleileensmith.com.
Connect with Jill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith
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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
DAUGHTERS OF THE PROMISED LAND
The Crimson Cord
www.JillEileenSmith.com
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Crimson Cord : Rahab's Story (9781441221155) Page 28