David Rises to Power (Continued) -1 Samuel 25:1-44, 26:1-25, 27:1-7; 1 Chronicles 14:1-7; 1 Samuel 27:8-28:2, 29:1-11; 1 Chronicles 12:19-22; 1 Samuel 30:1-31
I always felt sorry for Edith Bunker.
"She [Abigail] was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was surly and mean in his dealings." 1 Samuel 25:3
It's the same old story, an architypical tale it would seem - a beautiful and gracious woman ends up with a macho guy. Certainly marriage was different in Abigail's day. But how does it happen? A beautiful woman marries beneth herself because she thinks it's all she deserves. She has a poor self-concept, perhaps because the man in her life growing up - her father - didn't show her or her mother proper respect. And she believed his judgement of her. We don't know if this is what happened in Abigail's case. Her marriage was most probably arranged. But it does happen today and its a tragedy and a condemnation of men like Nabal.
Abigail stays in her difficult situation. In fact, her grace saves her people. She steps up to face dire circumstances to the salvation of those for whom she stands. Over and over we've seen this. The Bible, remarkable for its time, has a good story to tell of so many women - Abigail, Ruth, Deborah.
What did Abigail think about the dangerous situation her husband had recklessly thrown the household into? Did she ever question God? How could He ever have put her in such a situation? Bound to such a cruel and stupid man? Did she think her life was over tied to Nabal? Did she grieve her life and circumstances? She was a part of such a weathy household but a home devoid of so much. There was certainly no love from a man described as "mean." Was she just a beautiful trophy wife to complement his riches?
But how quickly the circumstance of Abigail's life will change and she will become the wife of the future King of Israel. All that find themselves in difficult circumstances take heart. Like Abigail, like Ruth, the story of your life has not yet been completely written.
Lord knows.
My post last year on this date.
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