Free Song of Redemption by Lynn Austin

started. And there is a promise in this passage of Scripture—‘Then he and his descendants will reign a long time.’ ”
    “My father and his father both died relatively young.”
    “That’s no coincidence, son. It was Yahweh’s blessing that Ahaz died before he completely destroyed this country.”
    “Sometimes I wonder if it isn’t too late already,” Hezekiah said. “Rabbi Isaiah doesn’t seem to think that the men of Judah will repent and turn back to God. And it all depends on the people, doesn’t it? I mean, I can do only so much as king, and if the people don’t respond, if they continue in their idolatry—” He stopped, remembering Isaiah’s vision of ruined cities and a desolate land.
    “God has set before them life and death,” Zechariah said. “We can only pray that they choose life.”
    Hezekiah noticed that the room had gradually grown darker in the last few minutes as the sun dropped below the western ridge of mountains. He could barely see to read the scroll. “Shall I call a servant to light the lamps?” he asked.
    “No, it’s time for prayers.” Zechariah rolled up the scroll, then stood and covered his head with his prayer shawl. Hezekiah did the same. But before Zechariah closed his eyes to recite, he gave Hezekiah a somber, penetrating look. “When it comes to obeying the Law, you can’t pick and choose. If you decide to obey His Word, you must obey all of it.”
    Hezekiah nodded and closed his eyes. But as soon as Zechariah began to recite, Hezekiah knew by the psalm that his grandfather had chosen that they were back where they had started: Zechariah still disagreed with the decision to appoint Shebna.
    “ ‘Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.’ ”

    That evening, drawn by curiosity, Hezekiah decided to visit Hephzibah. The realization that he knew nothing about her—and that he had ignored her since the week of their wedding—disconcerted him. He wondered how she would react to his sudden appearance after so much time. But when he saw Hephzibah again, he was the one who was astounded. She was a strikingly beautiful woman.
    Hephzibah was dressed in white linen and adorned like a queen with golden earrings and bracelets. The fragrance of fine perfume and bath oil filled the room. Hephzibah’s long dark hair hung loose down her back in thick curls, and it looked so luxurious that he had an overwhelming urge to bury his hands in its softness.
    Hephzibah gazed at him in astonishment when she first saw him standing in her doorway. He saw surprise in her eyes and many unspoken questions, but she quickly recovered and bowed low.
    “Welcome, Your Majesty. Come in. Shall my servants bring you some refreshments?” Her voice shook, and she kept her head lowered as if awed by his presence.
    “No, that’s not necessary. You may dismiss them.” Before Hephzibah could say a word, the servants all disappeared. “You look lovely,” he told her. “Your dress … your perfume …” He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Was this incredible stranger really his wife?
    “Thank you,” she murmured. “Everything is for you.”
    “But … but how did you know that I was coming tonight?”
    “I didn’t.”
    “You mean you go through this every night? Just in case?”
    “Yes, my lord.”
    For a moment Hezekiah glimpsed the absurdity of her situation, the hours of preparation and waiting just to cater to his whims. He suddenly felt awkward with her, as if it was their first time together. The discovery that such a beautiful woman had been waiting in vain for him every night stunned him.
    She was small and delicate, the top of her head barely reaching his chin, and her skin was a golden, tawny color that matched the highlights in her hair. Her deep brown eyes were flecked with gold and fringed with thick dark