An Unexpected Love

Posted on by Michele Morin

Oh, how she had grown to hate him. Ten thousand offenses, both small and large, had accumulated over the years since their arranged marriage.

Practical and traditional, Father had seen a prosperous match:  “Abigail, you will marry a descendant of Caleb,” he had exulted. Abigail had found no delight, no dignity in the homeland of this husband whose given name would be forever lost beneath the wreckage of his character:  Nabal –“The Fool.”   

Playing hostess to his drunken friends and enduring his loutish company, the loneliness was excruciating. Even so, she thanked Yahweh every day that there were, as yet, no children from this unfortunate match. “I am your servant,” she prayed each day at sunrise and found, over time, that the God of Israel had become her comfort in this desert-life.

When hope for love has left a marriage, what remains?

. . . unless the rattling husk becomes a place for something new to grow.   Slowly, Abigail began to notice the workings of Nabal’s household. Her quick mind took in the details of the livestock business, the buying and selling, the shearing and marketing of fine wool. She had long ago stopped hoping for love, but one day, she realized that the respect and confidence of the family servants had become her consolation, a gift from Yahweh. 

The season of shearing was upon them with its steady hum of activity, but Abigail welcomed the challenge and the stimulation, planning meals for the shearers, managing the bountiful output, and arranging for its transport. During a lull in the chaos, she was catching a breeze in the doorway when Othniel, her faithful steward, appeared, wild-eyed, breathing like a frightened creature.

“What is it, Othniel?” she asked.

“You know that David, the chosen of God, and his men have been protecting our flocks and our shepherds for some time.” 

Abigail nodded.  “Go on.”

“They have been like a city wall to us and to our herds, and so David sent his messengers to request protection money and provisions, a part in our feasting . . .  They were taken to the master.”

Abigail dropped her face into her hands and listened, knowing that what followed could only be bad news.

And it was: 

Disrespect.
Greed.
A refusal to provide reasonable compensation for services rendered.

When Othniel’s words confirmed her fears, she asked, “Have they gone?” 

Perhaps it was not too late to undo The Fool’s damage.

“The master has sent them away empty-handed.  They promise revenge, that everyone in the household will feel their anger.  . . I have said nothing to the master.”

“That is well,” she replied, flying into action. “We must move quickly.”

From shearing season’s full larder, Abigail rattled off a hurried and portable menu and directed Othniel to load it onto donkeys and to lead the way to David and his men.

“I will follow close behind,” she assured him.

Hurriedly, she changed out of her work clothes, mounted her own donkey, and followed. But suddenly there they were, rounding a corner with strapped-on swords like a military detachment – headed toward her home.  David was in the lead, but he stopped in his tracks when Abigail dismounted and fell on her face at his feet.

Her words tumbled out:

“Do not listen to my husband, The Fool;
As his name is, so is he;
If your men had only come to me,
they would have found a welcome and feasting.”

Abigail lifted her eyes in time to see surprise register on David’s tanned face.

“Therefore, I have brought the feast to you.”  She gestured toward the loaded caravan.  Was it just her imagination, or did David’s eyes move reluctantly away from hers?

Emboldened by his attention, she continued with words that she scarcely recognized as her own:
“Please do not let your name be associated with revenge and bloodshed, but accept these gifts. Because you have fought Yahweh’s battles, He will wrap up your life with His treasure and will certainly make for you an enduring kingdom. He will cast aside your enemies like a stone hurled from a sling. When Yahweh has brought these words to pass, remember me His servant.

Then, tearing her gaze from his, she turned to leave.

With one hand, David stopped her, for the other hand was raised in blessing – a blessing over Abigail.

//

She did not recall mounting the donkey.   She did not recall the journey home, for her ears and her heart were full of David’s words:

“Blessed is your advice, your good sense.

Blessed are you for keeping me from murder, for looking out for my reputation.

I hear you.

I respect you.”

Not since coming to the House of Nabal had she heard such words, and they carried her into the house. They sustained her through the night as The Fool slept off his evening’s wine.

At first light, Abigail approached Nabal, eyes on the floor, reporting mechanically:  “You recall that David’s men were sent away from your presence yesterday . . .” 

Describing David’s promise of revenge and her own actions, Abigail was startled to hear choking sounds from Nabal’s throat, but she continued with her report until a thud and sounds of alarm from the servants caused her to her lift her eyes. 

There lay The Fool, on the floor.

//

The ten days between his fall and his death passed quietly, and Abigail wondered how the demise of her own husband could affect her so slightly.  She had been aware of the shriveled condition of her heart, but marveled at the cool poise with which she had wrapped up the end of shearing season and notified Nabal’s near kinsmen.  They would be arriving soon to take over his property.

And what was to become of his widow?  The memory of David’s blessing fanned a small hope that perhaps one day she would find a place of love and respect, but she did not know how that could be.  She only knew that she must flee before The Fool’s family arrived and engulfed her as if she, too, were a possession.  Gathering a small packet of provisions, she made ready to depart. 

Hearing footsteps, she whirled, ready to bolt from the room, but instead she froze. 

Othniel stood in the doorway, announcing the servants of David:

“David has sent us to you – to ask you to become his wife.”

Rising, Abigail bowed, and her words to David’s men were also a prayer to Yahweh:

“I am your servant.”

//

And such is the glory of unexpected love. 

Each of us in our turn has been married, in some way, to foolishness —
but then redeemed by an unexpected love so strong and so wild
that all we must do is rise and follow,
placing our hand in His
and trusting for a better future.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father has given unto us . . .” (I John 3:1)

//

Be sure to check out the context for this Old Testament love story!

Photo credit:  Tiago Muraro

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a teacher, blogger, reader, and gardener who finds joy in sitting at a table surrounded by women with open Bibles. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty years, and together they have four sons, two daughters-in-love, three grandchildren, and one lazy St. Bernard. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.

87 thoughts on “An Unexpected Love”

  1. Michele, this is absolutely brilliant. I’m reposting to Kyria.

    Thanks so much for exposing the heart, courage, determination, wisdom and independence of this woman of God whose husband was not worthy of her.

    VEry powerful indeed. Many women will draw hope from this.

    Like

  2. What a beautiful retelling of this story of Abigail and David, Michele! Powerful stuff for us to trust the Lord in our everyday happenings this week, knowing that HE is in charge and can see what’s around the corner, even when we cannot. Blessings on your week, friend.

    Like

  4. You tell the story like you were therecapturing all the tiny details. You are a wonderful writer Michelle.
    God bless friend.
    I still owe you the mail. Overtaken by life events and movements

    Liked by 1 person

  6. It is by stories He taught those who needed to hear, and by stories we still feed the creative soul in each other as we share. You have a beautiful way of sharing grace in your storytelling, Michele.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Michele,
    Your words bring this OT story to life!
    I think it’s time for a novel from you! You have a gift with words!
    I’ll enjoy sharing this one with my friends and readers!
    Blessings,
    Melanie

    Liked by 2 people

  10. michele, this story is truly beautiful isn’t it? i remember the first time i read it in the bible. i couldn’t believe it! it is an amazing story isn’t it?

    Liked by 1 person

  14. A story like no other. Old Testament stories have been fascinating to me. AT times, I have trouble understanding their message without having to read it over and over again. I love the twist you have on this. Thanks for sharing today on Tuesday Talk Michele.

    Like

  16. Beautiful, Michele. I have loved the story of Abigail since hearing Chuck Swindoll do a teaching on his radio program on her years ago. It is one that has stayed with me. Your post so reminded me of this wise woman & all we can learn from her. Blessings!

    Like

  18. Oh, you have a beautiful way with words!! This was a delight to read and a wonderful application of the way our savior’s love rushes into our foolish lives!

    Like

  19. Great retelling of Abigail and David’s story, Michelle! You did a wonderful job of letting us into what surely must have been Abigail’s thoughts. Thanks for sharing it here today at The Loft.

    Like

  22. I was eager for more Michele!! What a beautiful way to tell this story and you had me captured from the first sentence. I felt right there in the middle of it. Love your writing 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  25. What a lovely retelling of this story! When I first read it, I was surprised at the ending but oh so happy for Abigail! I probably say this repeatedly, but I’ll mention again: you have a gift for story telling! Blessings!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. The life of Abigail is one of my favorites. The writing of this story is beautiful, Michele. Thank you for sharing it with Thankful Thursdays.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Be still, my heart. One of my favorites and you did what I adore doing. You went between those glorious lines of scripture and gave us a story we will never forget. Well done,my friend, well done. (((♥))) Happy heart day to you as well!

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Oh, Michele. I’ve read and loved Abigail’s story, but you made it three-dimensional for me! LOVED this post. And I’m grateful for the reminder that we’ve all been married to foolishness at one time or another in our lives. But God. His redemption, His love take us to new and amazing places. Loved this!

    Like

    1. Yes, your words remind me of our friend Holly and her regular reminders to have our eyes open for God’s work of redemption, active and present in our lives. Thanks so much for your input and encouragement today, Jeanne!

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Michele – this is absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful! What a fabulous storyteller you are! Thank you for sharing this today – it was a worship song in my heart.

    Like

  41. You have certainly brought to life this beautiful story of a brave woman and the sparks romance even as she approached David. Thank you for sharing your thrilling rendition of this old testament love story with us here at Tell me a Story.

    Like

  45. Beautiful! I”m so glad you brought this back for me to read! I love how you connected this love story to us. We’ve all been married to foolishness “but then redeemed by an unexpected love so strong and so wild that all we must do is rise and follow.”

    Like

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