Daughter of Deliverance by Gilbert Morris Page A

provocative figure, which had drawn the young men. But despite her physical attractiveness, Caleb knew that Ariel had some severe faults. One was her pride. Pride was a good thing in some ways, but sometimes Caleb worried that his daughter, whom he loved so deeply and completely, was headed for trouble.
    â€œHello, Father,” Ariel said, running up to him and kissing him on the cheek, her eyes sparkling. “You’re the handsomest man I’ve ever seen.”
    â€œYou must want something.”
    â€œWhy must I want something?”
    â€œThat’s the way you always begin when you want something you don’t have.”
    â€œWell, I didn’t want anything, but I’ll think of something now.”
    â€œWhere’s Ardon?”
    Ariel shrugged her shoulders and tucked her hair back up under the kerchief she wore. “Oh, he’s over with the Levites. He and Phinehas are studying Moses’ book, as always.”
    â€œI worry about your brother,” Caleb said. “He’s a fine soldier, but he thinks too much. That can be dangerous for a man of war.”
    â€œYou think soldiers must be stupid? Why, you’re not, and he’s like you.”
    â€œNo, he’s more interested in the Lord than I am, I’m ashamed to say. He wants to know everything about God, and no man can ever know that. He just wants to be so righteous that I worry about it.”
    Ariel laughed. “I suppose you think I’m not religious enough.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t hurt you to have a little more religion.”
    Ariel slipped her arm in his, and the two walked together toward the tent. “I’m too much like you.”
    Caleb laughed. “I suppose that’s true. That’s why I call you Ariel. It suits you better—‘the lioness of God.’”
    â€œYou think I’m vicious like a lion?”
    â€œA little.” As the two entered the tent, he turned and asked, “What about young Zuriel? Are you going to marry him?”
    â€œI doubt it.”
    â€œWhy not? He’s a fine man. He has plenty of large herds. He’ll have more when his father dies.”
    â€œHe’s boring.”
    â€œWhat do you want, to marry a dancer to keep you entertained? You’re too choosy. I’m going to find Ardon.”
    â€œDon’t take too long. We killed a lamb, and I’m cooking it the way you like best.”
    ****
    Caleb started toward the tents of the Levites, who were the keepers of the Law, but a thought came to him. He changed direction and threaded his way among the tents until he came to the tent of Achan, a man of his own tribe. He found Achan sitting in the shade of his tent eating, which was not unusual. The man’s a glutton and a drunkard, Caleb thought, but even so he’s well liked. I don’t understand it .
    â€œAchan, I’m looking for Othniel,” Caleb called out. “Is he here?”
    Achan scrambled to his feet. He was a short, chubby man with a red, good-natured face and a wealth of curly black hair, both on his head and on his chin. “I don’t think he is.”
    Caleb snorted abruptly. “He’s either here or he’s not. Now, which is it?”
    â€œHe was here a while ago, but I don’t know where he went.”
    â€œYes you do. You’re lying to me.”
    Achan tried desperately to avoid telling the truth, but Caleb had an eye like a hawk, and there was no hiding the truth from him.
    â€œWell, I know he’s your nephew, so I don’t like to get him in trouble,” Achan whined.
    â€œYou’re going to be in trouble if you don’t let me know everything. Now, where is he?”
    â€œHe’s taken up with that woman from the tribe of Dan. Her name is Carphina.”
    â€œShe’s a married woman.”
    â€œI know it, Caleb, and her husband is a rough fellow. I tried to talk Othniel into staying here, but you know how he is.”
    â€œYes, I