IT was evening when Benaiah reached the region of Issachar. So he stopped at Shunem, a small town situated there by the Jordan.
He reached the bank of the river and stopped by the last house there. That house, poor and rickety, sat a little away from the rest.
Then it faced the waters like it was hiding from people. Like it sheltered a cursed household.
The old noble wanted to spend the night; then continue on his way again. And so, he sought to lodge and rest.
Now, Benaiah gave a small knock on the door; then he waited patiently for response. He took a step back, looked away and stared at the darkness.
After a little while, he knocked again a few times, and waited again. So his party wondered whether a living soul dwelled inside.
At last the door opened with a lazy crack. And it was a woman who stood as their host.
‘What can I do for you?’ her soft voiced cooed.
The standing party were amazed. Particularly for the touch of warmth borne with the casual question.
Benaiah spoke in response. ‘Peace… peace be with this house.’ And the woman nodded gracefully.
‘We are from the King’s Court,’ resumed the old man. ‘We are passing by and heading beyond Jordan.
‘It is evening now; so, we’re in need of a place to rest. By morning we would be up to go on—’
The woman halted him with an answer.
‘I am Abishum, a Shunamite and Israelite by birth and nature.
‘Then if I have found grace with the King and with the men of his court, please come and rest for the night under my roof.
‘It is a honour to host you, sirs.’
The men were amazed at the welcome. The house they were entering was a solitary one, significantly removed from the rest around it.
The place was also old and in a poor condition. Yet the warmness and kindness they met inside almost made them cry.
They found this. That they couldn’t know a house by the façade.
Yes, Abishum gave the folk water to wash their feet as soon as they settled down. Then she baked some leavened bread and sent her daughter to catch fish from the stream.
The guest washed up, ate and refreshed their souls. So they all became curious about that house that looked so empty.
Benaiah was the different one—firm and focused was he. He was not in Shunem to linger on their hostess. He wouldn’t even have passed through the place, if things had worked out.
So again, he reminded himself he wasn’t there for one great hostess. He was travelling to find David a heart.
That was what he said and meant.
Now, so far the people had searched through the registers and records; and at times they’d walked places to see.
But Benaiah chose to give a new approach to the search then. He decided it was time to just throw out the dice.
Well, he’d decide himself whatever worked best.
The warmth and kindness of their hostess was one thing, yes. But this only inspired the earnest man to think on their purpose.
Maybe, just maybe I can get further clues from this woman.
If I tell her about our mission, maybe she can suggest a place we can go. Maybe she knows a people who doesn’t betroth their girls.
After all, she won’t recommend herself to be the girl. When she isn’t a youth who knows no boundary.
Therefore, the man called their host for a talk. It was when the night had fallen.
But the paths their talk took, even Benaiah was startled.
And Abishum wasn’t the less stunned.
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