Song of Redemption by Lynn Austin Read Free Book Online

in a toneless voice. “They want me to translate for you.”
    Jerusha was amazed to hear her speaking perfect Hebrew. “Yyou’re from Israel?” she stammered. Marah nodded. In spite of the deadness in Marah’s eyes and the lifeless pallor of her skin, Jerusha could see that she had once been a beautiful woman. She seemed to be gazing straight through Jerusha as she translated Iddina’s angry tirade.
    “Iddina says that the Assyrians always share their spoils of war. He says he will not be selfish and keep you for himself. You belong to all of them now.”
    Jerusha instinctively drew back. “No … no!”
    As swiftly as a pouncing cat, Iddina grabbed her from behind and held his dagger to her throat. Jerusha knew what he was saying even before Marah translated it. “Iddina says you must choose. Do you still wish to live?”
    Fear paralyzed Jerusha.
    “Choose,” Marah repeated.
    Jerusha began to sob. There was no choice. Both alternatives horrified her; either choice would destroy her. Her tears produced laughter, not pity, among the men. They seemed more like animals than human beings.
    “Die, you little fool!” Marah whispered harshly. “Die while you still have the chance to die quickly!”
    Jerusha could no longer see the waiting men through her tears, but she felt the tension and strength in Iddina’s arms as he gripped her, the blade of his knife pressed against her throat.
    “O God, please help me,” Jerusha sobbed. “I don’t want to die.”
    Marah mumbled something and Jerusha felt Iddina’s arms relax. He seemed pleased with her decision. He laughed as he sheathed his knife and shoved her toward the waiting men.

5
    K ING H EZEKIAH STUDIED THE faces of the men bowing before him, pledging their support, and wondered how he could tell the honest ones from the impostors. They assembled in an audience before his throne, waiting for him to begin.
    Outside the palace windows, cold, slashing rain continued to pelt the city, turning Jerusalem’s creamy beige stones a deep golden color. The spring rains were as precious to his nation’s economy as gold, and they had been plentiful this year. Hezekiah hoped they marked the beginning of God’s blessings.
    The windows of the throne room had been shuttered tightly against the rain and wind, and they admitted little light. Hezekiah had ordered all the torches and bronze lampstands to be lit, but the throne room remained gloomy, the atmosphere tense as the assembled men waited for him to speak.
    “Our nation has stumbled around in darkness, without God’s light to lead us, for much too long,” he began. “But this is about to change. I’m going to rebuild this government from the ground up, and I intend to rule this nation according to the laws of Moses. That means changing the way things were done in the past. From now on you will consult the Levites and the teachers of the Law in every judgment and decision you make and in every action you take. We must remain faithful to the laws of the Torah. Positions of authority in my government will be reserved for men who live by those laws and who haven’t compromised with idolatry.”
    A gust of wind whistled outside, and the driving rain beat against the wooden shutters as Hezekiah paused. When no one questioned the fact that Shebna—an unbeliever—sat at his right-hand side, Hezekiah knew that he faced an audience of seasoned politicians skilled at hiding their thoughts and emotions. The throne room was cold, but a trickle of sweat ran down Hezekiah’s neck.
    “I’m going to oversee the administration of all levels of government at first, in order to eliminate the bribery and corruption of my father’s reign. I’ll also hold open court to hear all petitions, so that the injustice toward the poor that’s currently taking place at the lower court levels will come to an end. Micah of Moresheth has recently made me aware of how angry God is with such injustices,” he said, gesturing to the prophet,