Abigail and Nabal -- a beautiful, gracious and intelligent woman with a obnoxious slacker for a husband. How often have we heard this story? A wonderful woman makes up for the shortcomings of her husband. Abigail mirrors the lovely story of intercessor that stands in judgement before the Lord and offers sacrifice in order to save the one she loves...even though he is a fool and undeserving. Another familiar story, right? This is the redemption story retold or pre-told as it will be told again and again, a constant refrain in the Bible -- from Noah to Abraham and Isaac to Abigail and on and on the story goes. How can we not understand how very much God loves us and what sacrifice He is willing to make for us, even his only begotten son [one phrase I still love in the KJV]. For her reward, Abigail's evil master dies and she is married to the King. The Lord will triumph over Satan and we will know Him in heaven.
We have another story of averted death and salvation in today's reading. Again, David is within striking distance of Saul. He and two of his men sneak up on Saul while he and his guards sleep. But David will not kill "the Lord's anointed." [And lucky for David, he didn't bring Joab or this might have been a completely different story. Joab would have had no problem killing him because he needed killing and David didn't want him killed.] Anyway, David descends on Saul like the Passover Angel that was appeased by the blood of the lamb. David passes over the opportunity because Saul is anointed.
When he realizes what has transpired, Saul, when faced with his sin and the gift of salvation, offers his repentance. But it is short lived. He will commit the same sin again and again. He doesn't have the same qualms that David does for killing God's anointed one.
While David and his growing army are away from home, the Amalekites attack their city and take their women and children. The people are ready to stone David for this. [Hey, you wanted a king. Deal with it.] With God's help, they track the Amalekites and their homes are restored. David's two wives are returned in the raid. Imagine the emotion and beauty of this story that is only hinted at in scripture. With their families taken, the men are in such despair and think themselves betrayed. They begin to doubt the Lord and Master they have given up everything to follow. Their love of David is not unconditional. Now imagine the glorious restoration of their houses. The improbable, the fantastic, the miraculous has happened. Their women and children -- that which was lost -- is returned. And so is their faith. Hopefully, strengthened by this test. God's love and voice echoes throughout all the seemingly disparate and unconnected litany of stories in this reading.
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