The History of Susannah
A young Jewish woman in ancient Babylon falls victim to a heartless conspiracy.
600 BC-560 BC
A young Jewish woman in ancient Babylon falls victim to a heartless conspiracy.
600 BC-560 BC
‘Susannah’ is one of the books of the so-called Apocrypha, not as widely read as they once were but part of the classic English translation published in 1611, and ‘authorised to be read in churches’. It is a story about the use and the abuse of law, a reminder that even courts do not guarantee justice where there is no fear of God.
IN the days when Daniel lived in Babylon, a wealthy Jewish man named Joachim had a lovely young wife called Susannah. The Jews of Babylon visited the couple’s gracious home and garden daily, and when two new Babylonian judges were appointed, they held court sessions there.
Seeing her so often, the two judges were soon infatuated with Susannah, and used to watch her from the bushes in the private garden where she liked to bathe. One day, they lost all self-control, and burst out to demand that she give herself to them, or they would say they had caught her having an affair.
Susannah defied them. So they dragged her to a hastily assembled court and accused her of adultery. With their own eyes, they cried, they had seen a young man making love to Susannah beneath a tree, though (regrettably) he had overpowered them, and escaped.
Naturally, everyone believed their lordships, and Susannah was sentenced to death.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
How did the two judges come to know Susannah?
They hosted court hearings in her house.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Joachim’s wife was Susannah. Their house had many rooms. Two Babylonian judges used one as a courthouse.