ABISHUM wasn’t done speaking. So she picked up on the matter as things were bound to change.
She spoke: ‘See, it was a bedroom cry for Aleph. But not until the day things were shoved in her face…
‘And that day she gave up on hoping!
‘Well, what Aleph thought was the reason why Beth couldn’t marry, was different from what it was with people.
‘She used to think it was because there was no man in her house to ask the daughter from. As is our customary practice in Israel.
‘But when a drunken man shoved it in her face one night, it hurt her too much what people say.
‘“No one will marry your daughter, woman! Why will anyone do? When death hides in her bosom like it hid in yours. Or why did your husband die?
‘“Look, if you don’t know it – your family is cursed! You only have one child in a nation of plenty.
‘“God has prospered Israel with many children like the sea sand. But what do your family bear? Only one!
‘“So, who will want your cursed daughter for his son to love? You really don’t know what people think?”
‘Well, those are the buried chatters that a drunkard spat in her face.
‘So, Aleph told herself she’d found the answer. It was the fact that her daughter was different from every girl.
‘That Beth was cursed like her mother!
‘Now, of that household alone I know. So who am I to recommend their cursed maiden for the King? Just who am I?’
With those words said, she ended her tale.
The seated nobles breathed a laden sigh. But it was Benaiah alone who could breathe in relief.
Then he asked: ‘What is your daughter’s name?’
Abishum was stunned. ‘What… why…? I mean….’ She only stuttered.
‘Yes, that damsel who served us that tasty meal. What’s her name?’
‘Oh, that’s my daughter…’
‘I know…’
‘Okay, Abisha is her name. She is my daughter.’
Benaiah smiled. ‘Permit me, Woman. But you have been gracious to us; so let me speak freely this time.’
Abishum was a little tense; but she wanted to hear this. So she nudged the old man to say his mind.
The noble spoke up, and asked: ‘Has the God of Israel cursed this family you speak of?’
‘No, my lord,’ came the answer.
‘Then who may curse the one the Lord has not cursed? The cause of everything shall be cursed by Him who chose David.
‘It is God who gives the seeds that make children, whether they are male or they are female. Yet to some he gives a houseful; and to others a few.’
The woman nodded calmly, as her tense nerves eased themselves.
Benaiah finished. ‘Now, I do not see a curse in your story. For what is here is a maiden waiting for our King.
‘Now go in there and bring Abisha. If you let us, your daughter is the damsel we are looking for.’
It was Abishum’s turn to be stunned.
She thought she’d shrouded her story. She never knew it was all there for all to see.
She was both stunned and knocked out completely.
She stammered. ‘Ah, ah…! How did you…?’
She just dropped to her knees and cried.
‘Ah what is this! What is me! Oh what is this, Lord!’
Just then, a bed chamber door opened slothfully. So the seated men looked that way.
For out of the doorway walked the fairest one they were seeking, garbed in fine evening dress.
And she hesitated about joining them. For it was clear she’d placed her ears to the wall.
Right then, Benaiah stood up and reached his hand towards her.
‘Behold she comes, most blessed of the Lord!’
And with that, the rest of the nobles arose.
‘Most blessed of the Lord!’ they chorused.
So, Abishum stood up and went over to bring her child. Now she hugged her close when she got by her side.
She hugged her for a long moment, as both mother and child cried.
For right then they heard the elder say: ‘The search is ended!’
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