Song of Redemption (Chronicles of the Kings #2)

by Lynn Austin

probably receive the promotion Iddina had mentioned last night. Jerusha felt as if she were sinking in cold, black waters. They would pursue her and track her down for sport as if she were a wild animal, then take her captive again. How long could she hope to stay free with four divisions of Assyrian soldiers trailing her, searching for her? She wanted to scream. Why hadn’t she ended her life last night as she had planned? Why hadn’t she realized that Iddina would plot something horrible? She knew that mercy played no part in his vicious nature. But before she could recover from her shock at what they were doing to her, they reached the edge of the camp, and the main road that led south toward Israel. Iddina shoved her into the middle of the road. “Go on, little birdie! Fly away home! I found you the first time, and I can find you again.” She turned to face him, longing to throw herself at his feet and beg him not to do this to her. But he grinned like a wolf and flapped his

summoning courage. “My lord, I’m so afraid you’ll have to divorce me because I’m barren. I beg you, please, go to one of your concubines tonight instead of me. Just until she gives you a child—just until you have an heir. The child could become ours. Please, my lord?” Hezekiah’s faith in Yahweh’s promises blew away in a gust of doubt: Hephzibah was barren. She would never give him an heir. For a moment he considered doing what she asked. Then anger exploded inside him—anger at himself for doubting so soon after his vow of faith, anger at the impossible decisions he faced, anger at his own helplessness. He hated his helplessness most of all, remembering how he had stood helpless before Molech. “No!” he shouted as he turned away from Hephzibah. “No, no, no! Yahweh promised that the house of David would endure forever! Do you think He’s going to break His promise now?” “Can’t the promise be kept through a concubine?” she asked.