By Way of the Wilderness by Gilbert Morris Page A

trouble with Laaman. That man’s a beast!”
    Caleb shook his head. “He’s driving Miriam crazy. I’d like to break his neck. He’s like his father was, a trifler.”
    â€œYou’re right about that!”
    Caleb stood in the hot sun, and finally he said grimly, “You’d better go looking for him. If Laaman finds him with his woman, he’ll break his neck.”
    â€œSo far he’s had plenty of luck not getting caught,” Joshua said.
    â€œIf Laaman catches him,” Caleb said, “he’ll need more than luck!”
    ****
    The marketplace was busy, and Bezalel was pleased with himself. He was walking alongside Adila, and from time to time she would stop and admire something in one of the booths. The young woman was beautiful. She was from the tribe of Dan, the tribe with the worst reputation among all the sons of Jacob. They were easily led into idolatry and had caused a great deal of trouble back in the past. Adila was small but well shaped, with a pair of full lips enhanced by red paint. Her father was one of those Hebrews who had managed to become as well off as a slave can be, and she wore an attractive garment of light green silk.
    â€œOh, Bezalel, look. Isn’t that precious?”
    Bezalel stopped and looked at a small statue Adila was pointing at. It was a figurine of one of the hundreds of Egyptian gods. He studied it for a moment and shrugged. “It’s very poor workmanship. But look—the eyes are made of a precious stone. Do you want it?”
    â€œOh, I would never buy an idol!” She laughed and turned and leaned against him so that he smelled her perfume. “But look at that ring there. I would love to have that.”
    Bezalel turned to the tradesman who was listening to all this and began a lively barter. Finally he bought the ring, and Adila at once stuck out her hand, spreading her fingers. Just as he was slipping the ring on her finger, they heard a harsh voice calling out her name, and the young couple turned. Adila let out a whimper. “It’s Laaman. You’d better run.”
    â€œRun? I’m not running,” Bezalel said with an arrogant shrug. “We’re not doing anything wrong.”
    â€œBut he’s so jealous, Bezalel. He’ll beat you.”
    â€œWe’ll see about that.”
    Laaman approached, and he was a fearful-looking sight. He was half a head taller than other members of his tribe, and his swelling muscles revealed his trade, which was moving the huge blocks of stone for the pharaoh’s massive building projects. He was wearing a band around his head that kept his long black hair out of his face, and his lips were twisted in a snarl. “I told you to stay away from her, Bezalel.”
    â€œWe’re just walking through the marketplace,” Bezalel said. “No harm in that.”
    â€œYou don’t hear too good.” Moving quickly for such a big man, Laaman stepped forward and swung his huge, knotty fist.
    Bezalel did not see it coming until it struck him right over the left eye. He was driven backward, and his world turned to stars. As he fell, he heard Adila crying out, “Laaman, don’t kill him!” Then he felt more blows raining down on him. He struggled to get up, but it was hopeless. A final blow caught him in the temple, and his world turned to utter blackness.
    ****
    When Aaron entered Miriam’s hut, the first thing he did was ask, “How is Bezalel?”
    Miriam passed a hand over her face. She looked weary, and lines showed the strain she had been under. “He’s asleep.”
    â€œHe’s lucky Laaman didn’t kill him.”
    â€œHe’s beaten up badly. I think he may have some broken ribs, and his face is all swollen. He looks awful.”
    Aaron marched past Miriam and looked down upon the still form of Bezalel. “He looks like he was hit in the face with a tree.”
    â€œI’m worried about him.