Reign Page 24
“No,” she whispered. Yahweh’s prophecy crept over her like a spider walking across her neck.
I will bring disaster on you. I will cut off your name and kill every male connected with you.
God was always right. Jezebel grabbed for Ahaziah’s hand. Where could she run? She turned round and round, the sun too bright, mocking, blinding her as she searched for refuge. She could not face the throne or stay in the streets. The Lord was here. And he was going to strike her sons. He would strike her, and dogs would lick her blood.
But a rasping sound comforted her, the sound of a serpent moving in the streets. She looked into doorways and between the feet all around her, but she could not see it. But a serpent moved here, too.
She wiped her mouth, and her hand came away red. The Lord would strike her, yes.
But not yet.
… a little more …
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Turn the page for ...
• Letter to Readers
• Resources
• Acknowledgments
LETTER TO READERS
Jezebel reigned in Israel for about sixty years, dying an old woman in her seventies or eighties. Incorrectly painted as a seductress, Jezebel relied most often on raw courage and intellect. However, her real legacy may be one of mass child sacrifice.
A tophet was discovered a few years ago in the ancient city of Carthage, a city that Jezebel’s people founded. This tophet, which is a Hebrew term for “the place of burning,” is believed to date back to the Phoenicians and contains the burned remains of more than twenty thousand infants.
Child sacrifice was not an uncommon practice among the ancients, but this evidence suggests that the Phoenicians engaged in these sacrifices in unprecedented numbers. Of course, no modern country wants to be associated with such a gruesome history. More than one government has ruled against any further excavations to see what else can be uncovered from Jezebel’s days as Israel’s most infamous queen.
Modern readers will likely not know much about her, although one piece of text exists that might hold a real surprise. In the scene when Jezebel is led into Samaria for the first time, a song is sung in her honor. You may know it better as Psalm 45. Scholars believe Psalm 45 may have been written as a wedding poem for Jezebel and Ahab. The words that faithful Christians use to worship our God may be the same words that were once sung to please Jezebel.
In another strange twist, Jezebel has become an unlikely folk hero to a new breed of feminists, who praise her ferocious strength in a time when men seemed to wield all the power. Although her seal was discovered in a dig in Israel—a ring bearing her name and ancient symbols—the secrets of her reign may forever lie buried.
Until we meet,
Ginger Garrett
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am so grateful to the many good people who have helped make this book a reality.
Writing is a delicate balance between following my vision and submitting to the wisdom of those around me. I am blessed to have such a strong and wise team.
First, to Mitch, for never letting me give up. Second to Nicci Hubert, a gifted and patient editor, who never let me give up either. Both can attest that this was an odd book to work on, plagued by strange events and setbacks. What normally would take me six months took almost two years. At times, I would just lay my head on my desk and wish to be anywhere else. I thank God for you both, Mitch and Nicci!
I also wish to thank the bookstore owners and sales staff who have helped readers discover my work. I appreciate your every effort.
I owe another debt to my readers, many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting at signings or through my website, www.gingergarrett.com. Nothing has made me happier as a writer than to hear from my diverse base of readers. My favorite comment is always, “I liked your book so much I went back to read the Bible’s version and see what really happened.” You all get it.
I want to thank Terry Behimer for being so gracious despite the setbacks and my fumbles and foibles. And Marilyn Largent for introducing me to so many stores. And Ingrid Beck, for having every answer I possibly need. A huge debt is owed to Caitlyn Carlson, too, for her work as the finest copyeditor I’ve ever known.
A writer’s work is done in seclusion and privacy, but I am never alone. Writing a novel is rarely easy, and I fight laziness, exhaustion, and distraction every day, but as the days go by I begin to see the beauty of a disciplined effort to follow Another’s lead. My wishes are for each one of you who has had a hand in bringing this book to fruition. May your efforts be repaid in blessings ten times over.
RESOURCES
There were several volumes I relied on heavily and would recommend to your library:
Chronological and Background Charts of the Old Testament and The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton.
I also liked the Holman Bible Atlas and the Holman Book of Biblical Charts, Maps, and Reconstructions.
Of course, many details were inspired by works published by the Biblical Archaeology Society’s magazine, Biblical Archaeology Review. Seeing the objects and artifacts that link us to these stories gives shape to the times and makes the characters more accessible. Biblical texts have been taken or adapted from the New International Version and THE MESSAGE.
REIGN
Published by David C Cook
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David C Cook Distribution Canada
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David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications
Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England
The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.
All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced, scanned, resold, or distributed by or through any print or electronic medium without written permission from the publisher. This ebook is licensed solely for the personal and noncommercial use of the original authorized purchaser, subject to the terms of use under which it was purchased. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.
This story is a work of fiction. Characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is coincidental.
Scripture quotations are taken or adapted from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1984 by Biblica, Inc™. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com; and from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
LCCN 2013933124
ISBN 978-1-4347-6596-3
eISBN 978-1-4347-0514-3
© 2013 Ginger Garrett
The author is represented by MacGregor Literary
The Team: Terry Behimer, Nicci Hubert, Amy Konyndyk, Caitlyn Carlson, Karen Athen
Cover Design: DogEared Design, Kirk DouPonce
Cover Photo: iStockPhoto
First Edition 2013
Photo by Don
Sparks Photography
Ginger Garrett, the author of several critically acclaimed books including Chosen, Desired, and Dark Hour, is a popular speaker, radio host, and novelist focusing on ancient women’s history. A resident of Atlanta, Georgia, she frequently appears as a guest on television news and talk shows.
If you enjoyed this title, visit DCCeBooks.com for more great reads.
Praise for …
The Lost Loves of the Bible Series
Chosen
“An exciting novel from a talented new author.”
Karen Kingsbury, best-selling author of the Redemption series
“A story that is sure to be a classic! Exciting, dramatic, and filled with truth. A great read from the first page!”
Brock and Bodie Thoene, best-selling authors of the Zion Covenant Series and the A. D. Chronicles
“This book defies normal boundaries … a truly astonishing first novel.”
T. Davis Bunn, best-selling author of Gold of Kings
“Chosen is a richly detailed retelling of Queen Esther’s story. A gem of a read.”
Carol Umberger, author of the award-winning Scottish Crown Series
“Ginger sweeps the sands of time from this figure of ancient history, giving her voice once again—and what a compelling voice it is! To revisit this ancient story is to gain a vision for the contemporary world.”
Siri Mitchell, author of Kissing Adrien and Chateau of Echoes
Desired
“Everyone who likes historical fiction will enjoy Desired. Vivid and compelling—I loved it!”
India Edghill, author of
Wisdom’s Daughter and Delilah: A Novel
“To be a woman in the ancient world was a fearsome thing. In this sweeping story of the clash of pagan and God-fearing cultures, Garrett takes us into the lives and hearts of three women who loved Samson, and in the process, she shows us the longing for freedom and purpose in our own hearts as well.”
T. L. Higley, author of Pompeii: City on Fire
“In Desired, novelist Ginger Garrett takes readers on a journey of Samson’s life as seen through the eyes of the women who loved him, giving a fresh look at this often confusing hero of Scripture. You will never see Samson quite the same way again.
Jill Eileen Smith, best-selling author of The Wives of King David series