Ninth century BCE. In the middle of a severe drought, a young Phoenician widow named Arishat is on the brink of starvation. When she prays to her goddess, Asherah, for help, Elijah, a prophet of Israel arrives at her door with bread, oil, and an allegiance to the god Yahweh. Willing to accept Elijah's help, but not his god or his vow of celibacy, Arishat follows him to Israel determined not only to win his love but also to convince him of his need for a goddess. However, as she becomes embroiled in Elijah's mission against the corrupt King Ahab, she soon discovers a cause of her own among...

First published in 1998. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.