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The Cord: The Love Story of Salmon and Rahab
Rahab, a former prostitute, has been saved by the Israelite Salmon from the horrible destruction of Jericho, using a scarlet cord that once belonged to his mother. But Rahab is shocked when her trusted hero takes her into his tent, using the law regarding a captive woman. According to the law, Rahab must spend thirty days in Salmon's tent. They are not allowed to sleep together, but they can talk. Although Rahab's past relationships make her want nothing to do with men anymore, she wants to learn everything she can about the God of the Israelites, who has seen fit to spare her life. Salmon hopes that in their conversations about God's law, she will learn to care for him. Surprisingly, he realizes that he has been the learner in the situation, beginning to see his God in different, more illuminated ways. Not until a crisis comes in their relationship does Rahab realize how entwined their lives have become. The Cord is a love story-between God and man and between man and woman. Rahab and Salmon learn to love God and each other in ways neither thought possible.
- GenresBiblical Fiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 21, 2010
I know, it's my own book, but if I don't believe in it, who will? Anyway, I think there are some things worth reading in this book about God and the relationship he wants to have with us as well as about the Biblical people Salmon and Rahab. Check it out.
April 9, 2019
If I give a book a 5 star review, I’m thinking it’s one that grabs my heart, and I can’t put it down, or it’s so engaging mentally, that I don’t want to stop. While this book didn’t merit 5 stars by that standard, there is much to recommend about it.
What I appreciated most about The Cord was the author’s Bible knowledge and how she brought that knowledge to life in her portrayal of Rahab and Salmon. Though I’ve read about Rahab many times, there were so many details I had missed, especially regarding requirements of the law, and the impact those requirements would have had on a person living through them, that the author brought out. This book definitely has and will enhance my reading of this portion of Scripture as well as the laws that are included.
The story is a good one. It is one that I would expect most readers know, so I won’t get into that.
I do wish the writing had tugged more at my heart— which I would have expected in a story like this. So often it was just the facts with no emotional response whatsoever. I wanted to SEE and FEEL what the characters were seeing and feeling, and for the most part, that was just not there. And sometimes the point of view switches were confusing.
I don’t know if the author had an editor, but it seemed the book had so much potential with the author’s vast knowledge. I would love to see her hone her skill in writing fiction that is a bit more emotionally compelling.
By the way, I did appreciate the content enough to read the sequel. And for the content alone, and the insight it gave, I would and have recommended it to others.
What I appreciated most about The Cord was the author’s Bible knowledge and how she brought that knowledge to life in her portrayal of Rahab and Salmon. Though I’ve read about Rahab many times, there were so many details I had missed, especially regarding requirements of the law, and the impact those requirements would have had on a person living through them, that the author brought out. This book definitely has and will enhance my reading of this portion of Scripture as well as the laws that are included.
The story is a good one. It is one that I would expect most readers know, so I won’t get into that.
I do wish the writing had tugged more at my heart— which I would have expected in a story like this. So often it was just the facts with no emotional response whatsoever. I wanted to SEE and FEEL what the characters were seeing and feeling, and for the most part, that was just not there. And sometimes the point of view switches were confusing.
I don’t know if the author had an editor, but it seemed the book had so much potential with the author’s vast knowledge. I would love to see her hone her skill in writing fiction that is a bit more emotionally compelling.
By the way, I did appreciate the content enough to read the sequel. And for the content alone, and the insight it gave, I would and have recommended it to others.
March 5, 2020
This book is more than a Biblical Historical Fiction about Rahab and Salmon. This story is a picture of the church today. Like Salmon, one part of the church has grown in familiarity with religion and their relationship with God is more about obligation rather than relationship. Rahab represents those in the church who are perusing to have an intimate relationship with God motivated by love. It is a picture of grace versus the law.
May 2, 2022
Captivating Story
This story of Salmon and Rahab drew me in from the start. I really enjoyed reading about people who lived in biblical times. How the word of God was lived out daily by the generations who were 1st to receive God’s law.
This story also made me so grateful for Jesus sacrifice on the cross. These people had to constantly bring sacrifice for sin. Thank God that my generation’s sins have been paid in full!!! Thank you Jesus!
This story of Salmon and Rahab drew me in from the start. I really enjoyed reading about people who lived in biblical times. How the word of God was lived out daily by the generations who were 1st to receive God’s law.
This story also made me so grateful for Jesus sacrifice on the cross. These people had to constantly bring sacrifice for sin. Thank God that my generation’s sins have been paid in full!!! Thank you Jesus!
July 5, 2018
Where can I buy thiiiiis?
September 5, 2020
Recommend this to everyone!
Very well written and so filled with love! Oh that we all had Rahab's faith and desire to know God.
Very well written and so filled with love! Oh that we all had Rahab's faith and desire to know God.
July 30, 2012
***Disclaimer: I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest and fair review.***
A beautiful and simply written novel, The Cord tells the story of Rahab, a prostitute from the walled city of Jericho and Salmon, an Israelite who has grown up in the desert waiting for the promised land. I wouldn't so much as call it a love story between a man and a woman, as love story between woman and God, and a story of learning about the Law and each other.
The book begins a period of 30 days, where Salmon according to the Law regarding captive women, takes Rahab into his tent for those 30 days, and though he is not allowed to sleep with her, they are free to talk and share daily chores and at the end of which Salmon will be free to marry her. The novel is broken up into 30 chapters, each standing for a day, a format that moves smoothly and fluidly, introducing daily lives and habits as well has the growing relationship between the couple.
Salmon is madly in love with Rahab when he takes her into the tent, attracted to her beauty but also to her sincere and innocent faith. Rahab is reserved, thinking that Salmon will be like all the other men she has met in her career as a prostitute, and unwilling to open up about much of her past, but her insatiable love for the Lord God of Israel and His laws begins to bridge the gap between them. Slowly, they both learn to know and understand each other, and Rahab begins to see that Salmon really does lover her, and may indeed be different from other men.
We slowly learn about both of their pasts, from the falling of Jericho and before. Rahab presents a honest faith, often offering thoughtful and unique interpretations of the law and faith that are worth reading, and in her learning we're offered a little refresher course on the Laws that Moses passed down.
The book is plainly though movingly written and easily understood, approachable to all ages and a quick read. One flaw is that though expressive, the language and speech can feel too proper, and leaning towards unnatural and while this can be excused to a certain point by Rahab learning Hebrew I found it took away from discussions and could make them feel hollow. Also, while there is progression in getting to know the characters and learning about them and their pasts, I found that I didn't feel a connection to them and their emotions or personalities.
If you enjoy the story of Rahab and Salmon I would strongly suggest looking into the following:
-Women of the Bible: Rahab's Story: A Novel-Ann Burton
-Pearl in the Sand-Tessa Afshar
-Unashamed, A Lineage of Grace #2-Francine Rivers
There is also This Scarlet Cord by Joan Wolf though I can't vouch for it personally it is on my reading list and if Joan Wolf's version of Esther is anything to go by it should be a good read.
A beautiful and simply written novel, The Cord tells the story of Rahab, a prostitute from the walled city of Jericho and Salmon, an Israelite who has grown up in the desert waiting for the promised land. I wouldn't so much as call it a love story between a man and a woman, as love story between woman and God, and a story of learning about the Law and each other.
The book begins a period of 30 days, where Salmon according to the Law regarding captive women, takes Rahab into his tent for those 30 days, and though he is not allowed to sleep with her, they are free to talk and share daily chores and at the end of which Salmon will be free to marry her. The novel is broken up into 30 chapters, each standing for a day, a format that moves smoothly and fluidly, introducing daily lives and habits as well has the growing relationship between the couple.
Salmon is madly in love with Rahab when he takes her into the tent, attracted to her beauty but also to her sincere and innocent faith. Rahab is reserved, thinking that Salmon will be like all the other men she has met in her career as a prostitute, and unwilling to open up about much of her past, but her insatiable love for the Lord God of Israel and His laws begins to bridge the gap between them. Slowly, they both learn to know and understand each other, and Rahab begins to see that Salmon really does lover her, and may indeed be different from other men.
We slowly learn about both of their pasts, from the falling of Jericho and before. Rahab presents a honest faith, often offering thoughtful and unique interpretations of the law and faith that are worth reading, and in her learning we're offered a little refresher course on the Laws that Moses passed down.
The book is plainly though movingly written and easily understood, approachable to all ages and a quick read. One flaw is that though expressive, the language and speech can feel too proper, and leaning towards unnatural and while this can be excused to a certain point by Rahab learning Hebrew I found it took away from discussions and could make them feel hollow. Also, while there is progression in getting to know the characters and learning about them and their pasts, I found that I didn't feel a connection to them and their emotions or personalities.
If you enjoy the story of Rahab and Salmon I would strongly suggest looking into the following:
-Women of the Bible: Rahab's Story: A Novel-Ann Burton
-Pearl in the Sand-Tessa Afshar
-Unashamed, A Lineage of Grace #2-Francine Rivers
There is also This Scarlet Cord by Joan Wolf though I can't vouch for it personally it is on my reading list and if Joan Wolf's version of Esther is anything to go by it should be a good read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews