Abigail, by Jill Eileen Smith
c. 2010, Revell
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 368
ISBN: 0800733215
ISBN-13: 9780800733216 | |
Jill Eileen Smith’s second story in the Wives of King David remains more than faithful to the Word. She reminds us that society has not changed since the fall. Our natural tendency toward sin is no excuse, and everyone around us suffers when we fail as children of God.
Smith paints Abigail, widow of Nabal of Maon, as a woman chosen by David as a wife for love, not contract or obligation. Smith recreates a believable description of life with the “fool,” the meaning of Nabal’s name. When Abigail hears of Nabal’s refusal to gift the exiled David and his men with food, even though the men have protected Nabal’s sheep and crops from marauders, Abigail rushes to offer food to ward off David’s impending revenge. Nabal is struck by the hand of God and dies. David moved quickly to acquire Abigail, and Nabal’s wealth.
Although Abigail falls in love with David, she sometimes feels as though she’s exchanged a life of violence with Nabal to one of jealousy and sorrow with David, as she knowingly enters a polygamous relationship and often admits her disappointment.
The painful description of life on the run, of warfare, kidnapping, betrayal and murder made Smith’s tale occasionally haunting to read. Even as Smith has her hero promise to try to be faithful to God above all and not hurt Abigail, whom he favors as wife, he realizes and confesses his weaknesses. Much as I enjoyed this book, it was difficult to live vicariously with Abigail. I can hardly imagine how Smith will treat Bathsheba, but I know I’ll want to read it.
Tags:
abigail, jill eileen smith, revell
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