The tent flap peeled back, and Hannah peeked out. The sun hadn’t risen yet, but it would soon. The hills glowed in a dull orange color, and somewhere the goats still snored away the early morning. Elkanah had already gathered up sacks for each of them the night before. They sat in a neat row beside the tent pole.

She sighed and hugged her arms close, rubbing both elbows to keep the chill at bay. A tent sat across from her, and gentle snores echoed across the small yard between them. Peninnah,...