Song of Life 17

Introducing a bride

Joash led the family again to the smaller room where now the king and queen waited. They all were given a refreshing drink and asked to sit with the king and queen until the feast was ready. It would not be long; early guests were beginning to arrive. The queen had mentioned Sarabek’s weaving to her husband and he started by saying how glad he would be for her to continue her handiwork, and that he was sure his son would be glad as well, struggling to control a quiet smile from becoming a laugh. He then asked John about his vineyard and was quick to say he wanted advice about some of his own holdings when they had time together after this year’s harvest. He encouraged Yacob to persist in his efforts with the olive grove, saying the pressed oil could be a blessing to the family beyond measure. With that, Joash returned and indicated the feast was ready to begin. The hall was next door and the king and queen went in first followed by Sarabek’s family. The family was seated near the king and queen and the household members lined up to honor their leader and were introduced to the family as they passed. The meal was delicious and everyone enjoyed food and drink. As the end of the feast neared, the king rose and expressed his appreciation for all that was being done to honor his heir and his new bride. He said the groom would return the next day as planned and that the noon wedding the day after would proceed followed by a sumptuous feast. He had declared a holiday for the day of the wedding and the gates of the city would be opened to welcome visitors from throughout the land for the celebration. He blessed his household and he and the queen and Sarabek’s family left the room to retire to their beds for the night.

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Sarabek awoke early the next morning. Mirav came in and took her to her new room to see the final preparations for her wedding day clothes. She had prepared a bath for Sarabek and washed her hair. She then dressed her in beautiful new garments for that day and took her back to John and Naomi’s room for breaking the fast. John said Joash was taking the men for a tour of the city. Chavvah and Naomi had agreed that a day of prayer and quiet would be good for all the women now that the wedding preparations were complete and the women gathered after breakfast in the queen’s private room to talk. The older women took turns praying for Sarabek and her groom. Little Samuel was glad to stay with his mother; he had had quite enough of servants watching him. After a midday meal with the queen, Sarabek, Naomi and Mary took little Samuel back to the family’s quarters. The queen said she would await her son’s return and would confirm everything was in order for the next day. She said she would see them at the ceremony in the great hall. She and Sarabek hugged and wished each other a peaceful night’s rest.

The family gathered in their quarters and had a private meal together for the final night before the wedding. The men spoke of the city’s craftsmen and the wonders of the goods tradesmen brought from far away. Sarabek had trouble focusing on what was being said. Her mind was straying to the wedding and the life to follow. What was her husband like? She knew she would choose to love him; it was God’s plan for her. Her family would leave the day after the wedding. They would say goodbye at the feast because she and her husband would have private time alone with only a couple of servants to provide for their needs. Naomi and Mary had spoken with her that afternoon about marriage and what it meant to be a bride. They encouraged her enjoy her husband’s love and assured her that marriage could be a delight. “Your father and I have been happy together for all our days,” Naomi told her. Mary said she would never want to be without Yacob’s love. Sarabek hugged them both and thanked them for their help. She prayed before she sought her bed that her marriage would be as happy and joy-filled as those in her family. She also prayed for peace. The face of the young shepherd Ruben came back to her but she put it aside, asking God to help her love her husband from the start.

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