I would like to contrast two of David's wives. Both of these wives had husbands before they married David. But the times that they came to David were different. Their previous husbands were very diverse from one another. And the character of the women shines equally as opposite from each other.
The first woman is Abigail.
Samuel has died. Samuel had been the last judge of Israel, and it was he who had anointed the first 2 kings of Israel- Saul and David. David was running for his life from Saul, because Saul wasn't willing to give up the throne. So, David is hiding out in Paran. He and his men are protecting the shepherds of a man named Nabal.
The Bible says that Nabal was churlish and evil, but that Abigail was beautiful and had good understanding (wise).
How did this wise woman come to be married to such a terrible man? Did she choose to marry this man? Or was she placed in this situation through a family promise? We don't know; the Bible doesn't tell us. However, she came to be this man's wife, she knew what kind of a man he was.
David had his men ask Nabal for some supplies. He told Nabal that he had protected his men and his possessions and he was asking for something in return. Nabal was so rude and unwilling that David was gonna kill him and his entire house!
I Samuel 25:18, 23- Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground.
This is the first time David sees Abigail. She is trying to save the life of her household. She is humbling herself and standing between an army and a wicked man.
She persuades David to accept her gift, and his army leaves without harming anyone!
She later goes home to her drunk husband, waits for him to sober up, and then tells him what she has done. God sees fit to strike him down, and leaves Abigail open for another husband.
Abigail shows wisdom, humility, generosity, and honesty in the face of danger. And, so, David takes her during this troubled time to be his wife. She enters into his running from the current king. But, she's already proved that she could handle it.
The next woman is Bathsheba.
David is now the king of Israel. He has a castle, and a kingdom. He is ruling over the nation, winning battle, and serving the Lord.
One of David's mighty men was named Uriah. As a mighty man, he was one of the leaders in David's army. He could be counted on to fight bravely and loyally for the man who he called King.
When Nathan is talking to David about Bathsheba, he uses a lamb to illustrate his example. Nathan, the prophet, says that this lamb was nourished up with the man's children. I don't know if Bathsheba was a young servant or orphan whom he raised with his children. We don't know where she came from or how she became his wife. But, she, too, knew what kind of a man he was.
2 Samuel 11:2, 4- And it came to pass in an evening tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
This is the first time that David sees Bathsheba. She is naked on top of her roof bathing. It doesn't seem that she is trying to hide her nakedness, or even has some sort of curtain up to maintain some modesty.
When the messengers come to bring her to David, we don't see her fighting, or even trying to tell David that she is married. She just sleeps with him, and goes home.
Bathsheba shows immodesty, a willingness to go with the flow, and later, deceitfulness when she finds out that she is expecting. In fact, no where do we see her repent! David repents in sackcloth and fasting for a week, but not her.
Because of her, David commits adultery, and murder, and pays four fold for his actions! She becomes his wife during a time of peace, and bring great trouble with her.
These are two very different women in two very different situations. One is righteous even when in the house of the wicked; one is wicked when in the house of a good man.
But, let's look at David. Because he will tell us a lot about what these women were actually looking for.
When David met Abigail, he was trying to do right. He was where God wanted him. He was trusting God to take care of him. And God gave him a truly noble gift when he allowed Abigail to show David who she was. I'm sure that she was a blessing to David during those tough times.
When David saw Bathsheba, he was suppose to be out at the battle. He was at home in the lap of luxury while his men were out in the trenches. He wasn't do what God wanted, and he certainly wasn't looking to have God guide him. When his servants told him that this woman was Uriah's wife, he couldn't care less; he still sent for her with the intent to defile himself and disobey God.
Bathsheba wasn't a blessing from the Lord. She was a temptation from the devil. She was the tool that turned David from the man after God's own heart, to an adulterous murderer. She was the device that brought the rape of his daughter, and the death of 3 sons.
Psalm 78:56- Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
How much could David have accomplished if he had just kept in God's will? What would the story of David have looked like if he had been satisfied with the godly woman that he already had? Nathan told David that God said that he would have given David more if he had only asked.
What about these women? Abigail will always be remembered well. But, Bathsheba will always be associated with adultery and murder.
Each day, and each decision of our lives determines who we will become when the going gets tough and when the times are good. The devil doesn't care what is going on in your life. He will bring the worldly desires of your heart before you to keep you out of the will of God. And unless you are actively seeking God's will for your life, you will be deceived.
