No Woman So Fair (32 page)

After Abram finished his meal, he made his way to the palace, which was simply a house, though somewhat larger and more ornate than the other houses. He was met by a young man who greeted him pleasantly. When Abram stated his business, he said, “The king will probably see you soon. If you will wait here, I will find out his pleasure.”

Abram did so eagerly, and he did not have to wait long. The young man soon came out and smiled. “The king would be happy to receive you now, if you'll come this way.”

Abram followed the young man down a long corridor and turned into a door leading to a room that was like a patio. It was open on three sides, and green plants and flowers grew abundantly in containers, filling the room with their fragrance. He was admiring his surroundings when the man who turned to greet him caught his eye.

“You are welcome, sir.”

The speaker was extremely tall, at least two inches taller than Abram, but much thinner. His face was thin also, somewhat like a knife blade, but his features were delicately carved, and his eyes were warm with welcome.

“Be seated.” The king indicated a chair next to his, and the men sat down. “You are a newcomer to our city?”

“Yes. My name is Abram, O King.”

“You must tell me about yourself and your people. I know that you are Abram the Hebrew—I have heard of you.”

Abram was shocked. “But, sire, how could you have heard of me?”

“You are the Abram who went down to Egypt, are you not, and then came back with large herds of cattle—gifts of the pharaoh?”

Abram could not believe that Melchizedek had heard of his adventures. “Yes, sire, that is true. I can't imagine how you heard of such a thing.”

“People come and tell me stories. I try to know what is happening in the land. They tell me also that you are not a worshiper of idols.”

“No,” Abram said quickly. “I was once, in my younger days when I was growing up in Ur of the Chaldees. Everyone there was an idolater.”

“But you no longer believe in praying to a block of stone?”

“No, indeed, O King! I have not believed that for a long time.”

“Tell me more about you. The story I heard concerned your wife and Pharaoh.”

Abram felt the keen gaze of King Melchizedek. He found himself telling the entire story, not omitting his own fault in claiming that Sarai was his sister. He finished by saying, “It took the hand of the Eternal One to get my wife back. No human power could have done it.”

“Tell me about the God you call the Eternal One.”

Abram felt comfortable in this man's presence. He had found a kindred spirit in the tall man who sat across from him. “The Eternal One first appeared to me when I was in Ur of the Chaldees….”

He spoke steadily for a long time, then blinked with surprise and laughed with embarrassment. “I have talked like a foolish man. I assure you, O King, I do not usually babble like this.”

Melchizedek leaned forward and put his hand on Abram's. “No, you are not a foolish man. You are blessed among men, for the supreme God whom I serve has shown favor toward you.”

“What do you call this God?”

“I call Him
El Elyon
, which means, of course, the highest God, for that is what He is.”

“Tell me,” Abram said eagerly. “Tell me everything about Him, for I love Him as much as I possibly can.”

“We shall have many talks together. I will want to hear more from you, and we will share what we know of this great, almighty God we serve.”

Abram felt a great peace. “It is good to know my people are not the only ones who believe in the Eternal One,” he said, tears filling his eyes. “I have felt so lonely, O King.”

“You need not feel alone, for God Most High has people all over the world. They may not be well-known, but He is speaking to men and women everywhere. We shall have many talks. You will stay in the palace with me, and we will learn from each other.”

“Yes, O King Melchizedek,” Abram said, joy flooding his heart at the knowledge that in some sense he had come home.

****

Hagar had firmly decided that Eliezer was the man she wanted. Her beauty had drawn other members of Abram's clan seeking her favor, but she had considered them only momentarily. None of them had Eliezer's good looks—an important factor in her decision, for she prized handsomeness in a man. But even more than this, she had become convinced that one day Eliezer would own all of Abram's property. After all, Abram was getting on in years, as was Sarai, and when he died, where would his property go? To his chief steward! Everyone assumed this to be true, and Hagar was very aware of the advantages of material things, having lived much of her life in the pharaoh's palace.

She had given Eliezer many broad hints of her fondness for him, and his reluctance had puzzled her. Her experience with men had been extensive, but they had always been the pursuers. As a slave in Egypt, she had fought off those she could and accepted those she could not reject. Since being with Abram's people, she had not yet been intimate with any man, although she had flirted with several.

The sun was going down as Hagar sat in her tent. She had bathed in the river and then had anointed herself with the spicy fragrances she had brought from Egypt, which were strong and enticing to a man's senses. Now she skillfully applied the eye shadow and lip rouge and stared at herself in her polished bronze hand mirror.

Satisfied with her appearance, she proceeded to put on one of the linen gowns she had brought from Egypt. Its tiny pleats clung to her body, and with this she was also satisfied. Smiling to herself, she went to sit outside the door of her tent. She had plotted her strategy carefully, knowing that it was Eliezer's habit to make a last trip to check with the shepherds who watched over the animals by night. He sometimes stayed late, but Hagar was prepared to wait him out.

The sun went down, and the moon rose, its pale silver gleam dominating the sky. Hagar had long prayed to the moon goddess, and now she looked up and lifted her hand to the moon. “O goddess, give me what I desire, and I will make you an offering that will be magnificent!”

After some time she heard Eliezer's voice. He was a fine singer and often sang softly as he returned from watching the flock. Getting to her feet, Hagar's breath quickened. The moonlight threw its silver beams down over the camp. Most people were already asleep, except for the guards on the outer fringes. She could hear the animals lowing softly, and then Eliezer appeared. He passed close by her tent, and she called out, “Eliezer!”

Startled, he turned and stared at her.

“Would you come here a moment?” she asked sweetly.

Eliezer came toward her, and when he stood before her, she said, “Please stay with me awhile. I'm so lonely and afraid.”

“Afraid? What are you afraid of, Hagar?”

“Come and sit with me, and I will tell you. I need to talk with someone.”

Hagar took Eliezer's arm and stepped inside the tent. The floor was covered with a fine carpet, and holding his arm, she pulled him down beside her. A small oil lamp threw a golden corona of light over the interior of the tent. Its rays highlighted her figure, and burning incense filled the tent with its aroma. The perfume Hagar wore was rich with a slight musky scent, and still holding Eliezer's arm, Hagar pressed herself against it. “I don't know what I'm so afraid of. Perhaps it's just because I'm a weak woman.”

“Why, Hagar, you shouldn't be afraid.”

“I know I shouldn't, but women are not like men. You're big and strong and can take care of yourselves, but who can take care of me? What will ever happen to me?”

“Why, you're Sarai's servant! You couldn't find a better mistress in all the world.”

“But a woman wants more than a place to sleep and food to eat. She has needs that go far beyond that.”

Eliezer was conscious at that moment of his own needs. The richness of her perfume, the softness of her body pressing against him, and the intoxicating incense stirred his passions. He looked into her dark eyes and when she smiled at him, he knew it was an invitation.

“Don't men have needs, Eliezer?” she whispered. She put her left hand on his neck and pulled his head down.

Eliezer found her lying in his arms, and he pulled her close. Her lips were soft and yielding under his, and for that one moment there was nothing in the world for him except the soft form he held within his arms. In the past, he had managed to conquer his needs by setting a stern brake on his natural desires, but he had never before felt anything like this and had never felt so unable to control himself.

As for Hagar, her heart was racing, for she knew that his response was that of a man who wanted her. She held him even closer and ran her hands through his hair, and when he lifted his lips and put them against her neck, she began to whisper endearments to him.

Eliezer suddenly stiffened and abruptly sat up. “Hagar, I can't—” He broke off, his voice thick and husky. Shaking his head, he said, “This is not right.”

“But you want me, Eliezer. I know you do.”

“But you're not my wife.”

Hagar waited, for this was the moment she had planned for. She expected him to ask her to marry him, but instead he suddenly rose to his feet and said, “I'm sorry. This is a thing I must not do. You're a lovely woman, Hagar, but a man must have honor where women are concerned.”

Hagar was astonished as Eliezer said these words, turned, and left the tent. Realizing she had been unable to win him, anger flooded through her. She had never been rejected by any man, and the knowledge that she did not have the same power over Eliezer that she had over other men infuriated her. She threw herself facedown on the carpet and beat it with her fists. She cursed him and spat out bitterly, “He'll be sorry! Oh, he'll be sorry that he treated me like this!”

****

Sarai had noticed the change in Hagar as far as Eliezer was concerned. Whereas before she had been all smiles and had gone out of her way to please him by fixing special dishes and had skillfully used all the wiles that a beautiful woman had, now she never spoke to him except when necessary.

Sarai also noticed that Eliezer was stiff and unnatural. She finally stopped him one day when he came into camp. The women were cooking, and Sarai said, “Come and sit down beside me. I never get to talk to you, Eliezer.”

Eliezer obeyed but had little to say. Finally Sarai asked, “What's the matter between you and Hagar? Are you having a fight?”

Eliezer did not dare tell Sarai how Hagar had behaved. He merely mumbled something about Hagar's having learned some bad habits in Egypt.

Instantly Sarai knew that Hagar had offered herself to Eliezer and he had refused her. Finally she said, “Well, there are other women. I wouldn't want you to make a mistake in a wife. There's nothing worse than being married to somebody you don't love.”

Her words amused Eliezer. “How would you know about that, mistress?”

Sarai stared at him and then covered her mouth as she laughed. “Am I that transparent?”

“Everyone knows you and my master love each other with all your hearts.”

“Well, we do, and I want you to have that same kind of relationship with your wife when you get one.”

“I think I may never get one.” Eliezer put the matter aside with a smile. “I suppose I'm just too choosy.”

Eliezer left, but Sarai was worried about him. She missed Abram and wished she could have talked with him about this, but he had been gone for weeks now.

****

Abram saw sadly that Sodom had not changed. He had come to this city on his way home and now was sorry that he had done so. Lot was very glad to see him, though, and Meri was triumphant. She proudly showed Abram their beautiful house, now packed with belongings she had bought at the bazaars. She spoke of how her marriageable daughters were now invited to all the homes of the city leaders, and waited for Abram to approve of what she and Lot had accomplished.

Abram did his best to compliment them, but it was a feeble attempt. Meri became huffy with him for his obvious lack of enthusiasm.

Afterward Lot and Abram walked through the city at dusk. Abram tried to avoid being critical, but he could not help noting the bands of men that roamed about.

“Who are these gangs of men?”

Lot was embarrassed. “Oh, they're just groups of young men that get together for a good time.”

But Abram saw that night what their good times amounted to. He witnessed one gang of men seize a young boy from his own home and carry him off screaming. Abram started to go to the boy's aid, but Lot instantly cried out, “No, uncle, you mustn't! They will kill you!”

“You know what kind of men these are, Lot?”

Lot bowed his head. “Yes, I know. I hate it! I hate every day here!”

“Then come with me. Bring your family and leave this place.”

Lot shook his head. “I would love nothing better, but Meri would never hear of it.”

Abram did not argue, but neither did he tarry. The city of Sodom had an aura of evil about it, and he left early the next day, anxious to get home.

****

When Abram returned home, Sarai greeted him with the joy of a young woman, making over him so much that Abram grinned slyly. “I think I'm going to take more trips away from home. You don't appreciate me nearly as much as you should.”

Sarai struck his chest with her fist. “You are a vain thing, and you're wrong. I did miss you terribly!”

The two were happy in the days that followed. Sarai told Abram all that had happened with Eliezer and Hagar. He listened and shook his head. “She needs to be married—but not to Eliezer!”

****

The days and months went by quickly, and Abram settled back. He had received much knowledge from Melchizedek, and he shared it with his family and people. It did them good to hear how the king of a distant city worshiped the same God as they did.