Some noticed that he did not say, as in the past, “the God of Abraham and Isaac,” but he now said “the God of Israel.” They had heard of his struggle in the night and the new name, but they had not realized how profound the change had been. He was actually claiming a new name, Israel. They pondered the meaning of it all.
* * *
When the invitation came for the women of Jacob’s family to visit the wives of the king of Shechem, their excitement knew no bounds. They had been traveling and camping out for such a long time that they had not had a chance to wear their festive clothes. Now they spent hours assembling the makeup they would wear, the headpieces that would look the best, and the gowns and jewelry that gave the right impression.
When the day came, they rode to the city on donkeys decked out in fancy trappings with tasseled headpieces and decorated saddles. “You do honor to our family,” Jacob said as he stood with his sons and watched them go. There was no warning, no sense of foreboding that this innocent trip to the city of Shechem would turn out disastrously.
The party that had been planned for them was a great success. They liked the women of Shechem and were impressed with their easy elegance. They had large, fringed hangings on the wall, fancy brass braziers giving off not only heat but also a subtle fragrance from the incense that was periodically sprinkled on the coals. They served wine from decorated clay jars, and the nuts, dried fruit, and small honey cakes were served on woven mats painted with intricate designs.
One of the women sang a poem composed in their honor, then village dancers came and danced their traditional dance. Small children entered into the excitement. They shyly hid behind their mothers’ skirts and peeped out from time to time with soft brown eyes filled with curiosity. The happy, joking women had few worries. They asked questions and looked at Leah with admiration when they heard how many sons she had given her husband.
Rachel dreaded it when they turned to her and asked how many sons she had. When she told them only one, their faces fell in immediate sympathy. One of them jumped up and gave her more sweet cakes and an extra portion of wine. “Poor one,” she said, “and so beautiful.”
They all admired Dinah. One of the women seemed to be especially attracted to her. “I have a son,” she whispered, “a handsome young man who’ll be king when his father dies. He would like you. Come, it won’t take but a moment. I want him to see you.”
Leah realized that it was the queen of Shechem who was so interested in her daughter and she was flattered. She had heard the conversation and was immediately excited. How wonderful if my daughter should find favor in the eyes of this young man and his mother. Where would we ever find anyone more appropriate for Dinah?
She nodded her permission for Dinah to go with the queen and then settled back to enjoy the attention of the women, who were all wanting to hear more about Dinah.
Within a short time the queen returned, smiling, without Dinah. She told the women, “My son is charmed with this delightful girl.” Then whispering to Leah, she asked, “Would you mind if she stays here with me for the rest of the day? I will see that she gets home safely.”
Leah was flattered and could see no harm in leaving Dinah. She hoped that this elegant woman and her son would like Dinah and would ask for her in marriage.
When Leah arrived home and told Jacob what had happened, he also thought it would be a wonderful bit of good fortune if Dinah could marry the prince. It was not their custom to leave a young girl in someone else’s house, but Leah assured him the queen was going to look after Dinah and see that she was brought home safely.
It was evening, just as Jacob’s sons were bringing their flocks home to water, that Hamor the Hivite, king of Shechem, rode up with his son Shechem. They asked to see Jacob. When they were comfortably seated, the king broached the subject he had come to discuss. “My son Shechem has fallen madly in love with your daughter and wants to marry her. She has been with him this afternoon and he does not want to part with her.”
Jacob was astounded at the turn of events. He saw no problem in Dinah’s marrying the young prince, though it disturbed him that she had not come home as had been promised. Hamor saw his hesitation and so he hastened to add, “Please let him marry her. He is a wonderful son and is truly in love with her. Furthermore this would make a bond between us. Your young men can marry our daughters and your daughters marry our sons. We will let you live wherever you like, and you can grow rich with our blessing.”
Then Shechem spoke. “Please let me have her as my wife. I will give whatever you ask. No matter how much dowry, or what gifts you demand, I will pay it … only let me have her as my wife.”