Unashamed by Francine Rivers Read Free Book Online Page A

gods of my people long ago.”

    “Why?”

    The Hebrew seemed intent upon testing her. So be it. She was more than willing to comply. “Because they couldn’t save me. They’re just things made by men, and I know how weak men are.” She spread her hands in a gesture of appeal. “I want to live among your people.”

    Ephraim frowned slightly and looked at Salmon.

    Salmon leaned forward slightly. “You must understand that we have laws, laws given to us by God Himself.”

    “I would like to know these laws.” She had felt some message pass between the two men and sensed it would affect her greatly.

    Salmon considered her for a moment and then said quietly, “There are laws against fornication and adultery.”

    Ephraim was not so gentle in his condemnation of her profession. “Prostitution is not tolerated. Anyone found practicing it is executed.”

    Rahab remembered how she had hung out her window and called down to them as she had a hundred others before them. The heat poured into her face. Never had she felt such self-loathing. No wonder they had hesitated. No wonder they wouldn’t eat food from her table or drink so much as a drop of water. She was filled with shame.

    “I didn’t choose this lifestyle,” she said in quick defense. “I was presented to the king by my father when I was a girl and had no say—” She stopped when she saw Salmon’s grimace. What did it matter how she had come to be what she was? She had sensed from the beginning that it was wrong. What did it matter that she had been just a girl and had to do what she was told? Did that excuse continuing in her profession these past years and gaining wealth from it? No! She frowned and looked away, feeling the Hebrews’ perusal. She looked at them again, calm and accepting. “If God loathes prostitution, then I’m done with it.”

    Salmon rose and walked to the edge of the roof. He stared out across the city for a long moment and then turned and looked at her again. “It’s time for us to leave,” he said. “We’ve served our purpose in coming, Ephraim.”

    Rahab rose abruptly. She knew they had to act quickly now. She hurried down the ladder into the house, followed by the two men. Crossing the room, she untied and yanked free the crimson rope that held her curtains back from her bed. “You can’t go by way of the gate. I can lower you from the window with this.” Looping it up, she went to the window, brushed Salmon aside, and dropped one end over the sill. She peered out as the crimson cord snaked down the wall. “It reaches to within ten feet of the ground.”

    “Close enough.” Salmon took the rope from her hand and set her aside. “You first,” he said, nodding to his friend. Ephraim lifted himself up and swung his legs out the window.

    “Wait!” Rahab said. “Escape to the hill country,” she told them. “Hide there for three days until the men who are searching for you have returned; then go on your way.”

    Ephraim nodded, grasped the rope, and went out the window. Rahab heard a soft cascade of loosened mortar, then a thud as he hit the ground. Salmon handed the rope to her and sat on the windowsill.

    “Listen to me, Rahab. We can guarantee your safety only if you leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house. If they go out into the street, they will be killed, and we cannot be held to our oath. But we swear that no one inside this house will be killed—not a hand will be laid on any of them.”

    She bit her lip as gratitude filled her.

    He swung one leg out and looked back at her. “If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way.”

    “I accept your terms,” she replied.

    The look in his eyes changed subtly. Letting go of the rope, he reached out and cupped the back of her head, pulling her close. Her heart stopped, for she thought he meant to kiss