When Baara entered the room with fresh water, she found Maacah once again reclining on the bed with her eyes closed. Fearing her mistress had again sunken into the abyss of pain, she quietly approached the bed. However, Maacah opened her eyes, offering reassurances that she was still pain free, only fatigued.

"You needn't tiptoe around me today," Maacah said with a smile. "I'm no longer in pain and will not bite your head off with poisonous verbiage. The goat's milk didn't upset my stomach, but it did awaken a profound hunger. Pour some water in the basin, and I will bathe while you go and fetch some breakfast."

Baara returned with a basin filled with delectables designed not only to appease her mistress's hunger, but also to help with healing any lingering symptoms of her illness. She brought leben, a soured-milk food believed to have the ability to make the sick man well. While leben was eaten often, even by the well, it was usually urged on those with maladies, particularly sicknesses of the stomach. She also brought the thin pita bread that could be used to dip the leben. Along with this staple, Baara included figs, pomegranates, olives, and honey. She also brought a small pitcher of wine, a drink also believed to have medicinal qualities.

When Baara entered the room, she found Maacah had bathed, dressed, uncovered the window, and opened the shutters. On the floor was spread a small cloth table with a couple of pillows thrown down for the comfort of the diners. Motioning to the table, Maacah invited Baara to join her for the meal, stating, "I know we have important matters to discuss, but first accept my hospitality as proof of my high regard for you and your ministrations to me during my illness. While our relationship has been damaged by the actions I saw as betrayal, your loving care has shown you meant no disloyalty. Perhaps partaking of a meal together will begin to heal the breach, and we'll be able to talk with candor afterwards."

Surprised and touched by the offer of peace, Baara said, "Mistress, I don't deserve your kindness. By extending this offer, you shame me with your underserved mercy. I humbly accept your offer of hospitality. May God's peace be with you."

After the food was set out, Baara offered the traditional pre-meal grace of "God be praised" before partaking of the food. After giving Baara an unreadable look, Maacah simply echoed Baara's blessing, and then they ate in silence.

After they had eaten their fill, Baara began to gather up the remnants to return them to the back, but Maacah reached out and stilled her busy hands, stating, "The cleaning chores can wait. It's time for us to talk."

Baara murmured, "Yes, mistress," and sat back, hands folded and eyes downcast, waiting for Maacah to pass judgment.

To her surprise, Maacah once again reached over and took one of Baara's small hands in her own. "I would prefer if you looked at me while we talked," Maacah said quietly. "You needn't look down like a frightened child who fears the wrath of her irate mother. I know I spoke harshly to you before I became ill. The combination of fear for your safety and the pain in my head caused me temporarily to act out of character. I'll not flog you for your disobedience. I'm now ready to hear the explanation I would not allow you to offer then."

As Maacah spoke, Baara slowly raised her eyes to her mistress's face. Instead of the anger she had seen previously, she saw only compassion.

"I do not deserve your compassion," Baara said quietly. "I know I acted in wanton disobedience and purposefully hid my actions from you. While the reason seemed sufficient at the time and I sought to spare you my problems, I see my action has brought pain and distrust instead."

Baara then told Maacah that her excursions to the well at midday had been a ploy to stay away from the snide remarks of jealous slaves who were envious of her position in the household. She begged her mistress not to take any action of retribution against the others. She told of Timna's defense of her and of the reluctant compliance of the others. She recounted how Yahweh had used even her disobedience to bring her into contact with another captive who worshipped Him.

"You have shown me mercy and compassion because you identify with my plight," Baara concluded. "The situation of the other slaves is no different. They may be older, but their freedom has been taken from them, and they are separated from the ones they love. Their rancor is a byproduct of their situation in life. Naaman's house is known among slaves in Damascus as a place where slaves are seen as human beings. Give those who have wronged me another chance, just as you gave me a second opportunity to show faithfulness to you."

Shaking her head in disbelief, Maacah replied, "I don't understand your concern for those who despise you. I can identify with you because I have been in your place. I can even understand something of the feelings one has when she finds herself in a position of slavery. But I don't understand why you would plead for another chance for those who meant you harm and have done their best to make you miserable, and even to have you removed from your place as my maid."

"I suppose my ability to forgive and willingness to give second chances is partially from my experience here and partly inbred. I learned at my mother's knee that Yahweh is a God of mercy and forgiveness. They are His attributes, and we are to strive to build His character into our lives and actions. King David said of Yahweh, 'You, Lord, are good, ready to forgive and abundant in mercy.' (Psalm 86:5) And King David knew a great deal about God's forgiveness and mercy. Even though he was a great King and a worshipper of Yahweh, he sinned greatly by taking the wife of one of his soldiers and then having him killed in battle after the woman, Bathsheba, was found with child. Although he hid his sin initially, the prophet Nathan confronted him with his secret sin, and he confessed and repented. He asked God to forgive him and restore the joy of his salvation. The story of his restoration by God has been repeated to each successive generation. King David was forgiven by Yahweh, and we are expected to follow this example in our dealings with others."

"It sounds to me like your King was a scoundrel who put a good face on a bad situation, because he was discovered," Maacah replied. "Your God should have removed him from his throne and given you a more deserving King."

"But you don't understand," Baara interjected. "When the prophet confronted King David with his sin, the King didn't have to publicly repent. He could have banned the prophet or used his power to silence him. Nathan did not threaten to make knowledge of King David's sin public and probably wouldn't have. The King recognized his own sin and fell before God in repentance. He chose to make his sin a matter of public knowledge because he had sinned against both God and the people. He taught us by example what it means to repent and allow God's forgiveness and mercy to cleanse us."

Baara waved her hands as she talked, almost knocking over the leftover wine. Straightening the bottle, with one hand, she held the other one out toward Maacah.

"But he didn't escape the consequence of his sin either. The baby conceived in lust and adultery died. King David later had problems with lust and distrust among his own sons. While the King received God's forgiveness because he sought it in repentance, some of his sons were less fortunate. Their sins resulted in family disgrace and one even died while trying to take his father's throne. Still, King David praised God and wrote many of the Psalms my people now sing about God's greatness and His mercy. Later one of King David's sons by Bathsheba succeeded him to the throne. King Solomon was known for his great wisdom, and he built an impressive temple in Jerusalem for Yahweh. So you see, King David suffered the consequences of his sin, but also the blessings of God." She shook her head back and forth. "I don't pretend to understand all of this, but I do know God has shown me His love and His mercy during these trying days of my life. My gratitude to Yahweh makes me want to extend that mercy to others."

"Very well," Maacah conceded. "While I can't understand your motivation completely since I am more accustomed to gods who are capricious and bestow more wrath than love on their people, I will honor your request. I won't sell or demote those who've given you a difficult time. But I will be watching and further transgressions will result in either demotion, punishment, or banishment."

Later that day Baara and Maacah went to the roof to continue the weaving that had been disrupted by the illness. While Baara went to her loom, Maacah stopped and spoke with Timna who immediately left the roof. Shortly Timna returned with all of the female household slaves who were not already gathered on the roof to weave. They all circled the weavers, and then Maacah stood and spoke.

"I have asked Timna to gather all of the female slaves so each of you will hear this message with your own ears, and it will not be distorted when repeated."

Letting her eyes slowly move over the gathered women, making certain she made eye contact with each, Maacah got their full attention without raising her voice. As an awkward silence fell over the group, she continued, "I have become aware of some unrest among you concerning my selecting Baara as my personal maid. She evidently has been teased and mistreated since her arrival in the household. I have confirmed this with Timna who recently defended Baara when the weavers tried to torment her. Baara didn't voluntarily disclose this information to me. I had to pry it out of her after I discovered she had been going for water during the heat of the day. She refused to single out anyone for retribution in her telling. The only name she mentioned was that of Timna, and she gave her name in gratitude and praise. As for the rest, she pled with me to have mercy and give each of you a second chance."

Pausing for effect and looking once again around the crowd of women who now sat with downcast eyes, Maacah stated, "While I can't understand Baara's desire for mercy, I have granted it. I won't punish any of you or require Baara to name those who are the ringleaders – at least not at present. However, I will be keeping my eyes and ears open for further mistreatment. I have asked Timna to do the same. Anyone who continues to torment Baara will be punished by either demotion, lashes, or banishment. Timna will be rewarded for her loyalty."

Turning to look briefly at her maid, Maacah continued, "Baara will suffer the consequences of her misguided actions. She will be required to come to the back courtyard each morning for the next month. She will take a turn grinding corn with each of you during that time. The one who is relieved of her grinding responsibility will go to the well and bring back the water Baara would normally have gotten. I know that grinding grain is a chore few enjoy because the pushing and pulling of the handles is a tedious, time-consuming job. I also am aware that going for water is a chore enjoyed by most because you can get out of the house, and it is a social activity where one shares in the gossip of other slaves who are fetching water. Let me warn you not to spread rumors when you go for water. I also suggest that each of you talk with Baara as you grind, so you can become better acquainted and less distrustful. Share something of your background with her and get her to tell you some of the stories from her culture. Perhaps we could all learn from the stories of forgiveness and mercy that are a part of her heritage."

After completing her instructions, Maacah dismissed the slaves who were not weaving and excused herself, stating she was tired. When she was gone, silence at first reigned among the women who pretended they needed to concentrate on their looms. Each furtively cast wary glances at Baara who focused on her own loom. Finally one of the older slaves spoke softly, addressing Baara.

"I am shamed that one so young could show more wisdom than I, a woman advanced in years and crowned with gray hair," she said. "My name is Rhoda, and I thank you, Baara, for intervening on our behalf with the mistress. I cannot speak for the others, but as for myself, I am indebted to you for your undeserved kindness."

As the woman fell silent others agreed with the sentiments she had expressed until all but one of the five weavers had thanked Baara and asked her forgiveness. Only Zipporah, the one who had gloated over the possibility of Baara slopping hogs, remained stubbornly silent with her lips pressed together in disapproval.

When each had had her say and it became clear Zipporah intended to say nothing, Rhoda once again broke the uncomfortable silence, stating, "Our mistress spoke of tales from your heritage that tell of forgiveness and mercy. Perhaps you can tell us one now to help the time pass as we weave."

When the others murmured their approval, Baara said, "I am not a very good story teller. My mother was able to fill her tales with warmth and humor. My retelling may sound dry and uninteresting, but I will try. Would you rather I told you a love story or the story of an adulterous King?"

While most of the women called for a love story, Zipporah finally opened her mouth to comment caustically, "An adulterous King sounds more like an Israelite. Surely you don't plan to tell us of a wronged woman who forgave a rapist in the name of honor."

Rhoda interrupted her, encouraging, "Ignore her, Baara. Don't let her poisonous tongue spoil the possibility of a good story. Go ahead and tell us the love story. You can save the other for when you are forced to grind grain with Zipporah. By that time maybe the demon that haunts her soul will have taken flight."

So Baara began to tell the love story that her people cherished, the story of love first between a woman and her mother-in-law, and then between a woman and a man. As the story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz unfolded, Baara wove the love story into a tapestry of words that kept the women enthralled until Timna had to come and remind them that the sun was setting and other chores awaited. When Baara tried to skip ahead in the story, the women begged her not to spoil the story but to continue it the next day when the weaving would resume.

When Baara hurried down stairs, she was disconcerted to find Maacah already served and eating with her daughters-in-law under the olive tree. Going quickly to where the women sat, Baara apologized for her tardiness and neglect of her duties, asking if she could get anything for her mistress.

"I have no need of your services right now," Maacah responded with a smile. "I instructed Timna to allow the weavers to stay late tonight to make up for the time you missed yesterday. My family and their servants have amply met my needs. But, perhaps you can help Tirzah with her little one so she can enjoy her meal," Maacah ended, motioning to a tired-looking woman trying to keep a grouchy toddler from wandering toward where the men were eating. "Her nanny has taken ill. Tirzah's pregnancy keeps her tired, but the little one has energy to spare."

Baara immediately went and squatted in front of the child. "What is your name, little one?" she asked the suddenly quite child who stared at her with wide eyes while holding onto the robe of her mother with one fat little fist.

"It's okay, Rachel," Tirzah said to the clinging child. "This is Baara, grandma's maid. She only wants to play with you."

Sitting on the ground in front of the wall, Baara began to make shapes with her hand so that the rays from the setting sun cast animal-like shadows on the wall. Pointing to the shapes, Baara would tell the child the name of the animal and make the sound of the animal for the child's enjoyment. Soon Rachel let go of her mother's dress and ventured past Baara to the wall where she attempted to catch the illusive shadows. When Baara lowered her hand, she turned to her and said, "More, more."

Soon the two were laughing together, and the child was imitating the animal sounds Baara made. For the first time in the week her nanny had been ill, Tirzah was able to enjoy a meal without the demands of a tired toddler who refused to go with the other maids without throwing a fit. Soon the other children were gathered around Baara as well, asking her to make different animals or to teach them how to shape their hands. While the mothers ate and visited, Baara entertained the children, first with the animal shapes and sounds and then with the story of Noah, her ancestor who had listened to God and taken two of every animal into a huge boat he built. She told how Noah saved the world from being completely destroyed in a flood. As she told of the animals entering the ark, she named some of them and got the children to make the shapes so that the animals could enter the ark in twos. As the light began to fade, so that the shadow animals were no longer visible, she taught them a song about Noah and the ark that she had sung as a child. When the parents eventually called the children to get ready for bed, she promised to teach them more the next time she and Maacah ate with the others.