And He Gave Me the World | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: And He Gave Me the World | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sharon Laughter
03/16/09
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Abigail’s knuckles whitened as she clutched her tunic tighter and absorbed the servant’s report.

“They showed us only kindness! David just wanted a little appreciation for his men! They kept us safe while we sheared the sheep! Then Nabal rewarded David with a passel of insults!” Jabah cried, his eyes sparking with alarm.

Abigail watched creases on Jabah’s face fill with perspiration and strained to conceal signs of her own panic. “Waste no time – Come!” she exclaimed. The mistress exited the massive kitchen, purple skirts sailing and brown braid flying. Jabah leaped obediently, with his stubby legs thumping hard to keep stride.

When the two had crossed the courtyard, Abigail lifted a slender bronze arm to shield her eyes against the bright morning sun. “Have Meria oversee the women,” she commanded, pointing. “Two hundred loaves of bread-- five seahs of grain-- one hundred raisin cakes--two hundred cakes of pressed figs.” Her words were like arrows fired in rapid succession. “Bring five dressed sheep and two skins of wine from the cellars. Ready the donkeys. We leave immediately!” Then, she wheeled around and dashed back to the house.

Relief cracked the fear frozen on Jabah’s face. Abigail had a plan! His hope renewed, he sprung into action. “That Nabal will get us killed yet!” he moaned.

Inside her chamber, Abigail gathered belongings for travel. Her heart thumped. Was she leading the men to slaughter? Nabal had not only endangered the lives of the servants, but recklessly assaulted the Kingdom of God! At the moment, she was grateful for his drunken stupor.

Sometime later, Abigail with her little band set out, struggling against heavy loads to make quick times. As they came upon a mountainous ravine, the thunder of galloping horses rose in the distance. Abigail reigned in her donkey and dismounted, snatching a cake of figs. “Stay!” she cried over her shoulder, darting down the road. Stopping, she bowed low to the ground. As the clamor grew closer, Abigail braced herself and extended her arms wide with the offering. Behind her, every servant’s jaw hung suspended in mid-air.

Suddenly, the air filled with loud shouts and the whinnying of horses reigned to sudden halt. As the clop of hooves grew silent, Abigail heard boots thud to the ground and crunch towards her.

“Please, my lord!” Abigail gasped, head still bowed. “I have only now learned of my husband’s trespass. He is Nabal and is as his name – a fool. He is so mean that I would give you the key to his chamber myself. Yet it is for sake of God’s kingdom that I beg. You fight the Lord’s battles, but this one is born of flesh! My plea is for the integrity of God’s Kingdom and Israel’s future king!” Large tears fell from Abigail’s eyes and splashed into the dirt. She held her breath against the settling clouds of dust and her own pounding heart.

“My daughter.” A male voice spoke above her, quivering slightly.

As Abigail raised her eyes, a tall warrior removed his helmet and coal black curls sprung gleefully from their prison. This had to be the future king! His armor was tarnished and decorated from the assault of battle. As his muscular frame blocked the sun and blanketed Abigail with his shadow, refracted rays formed a halo around his head.

“You possess not only great beauty but wisdom,” he declared downward. His expression revealed astonishment at the small woman on the road risking the advance of a charging army. “Praise the Lord for sending you to keep me from sin this day. You put the interests of God’s kingdom ahead of your own. May His blessings be upon you!” David then smiled at Abigail warmly, lifted a wave toward her men, and strode away to the sound of their enthusiastic whoops and cheers.

“You remain still… the great shepherd,” Abigail whispered, breathing a sigh of relief.

Dear Mama:

I must inform you that Nabal did fall dead after being as stone for many days! But, praise be to the Lord! Upon hearing of his death, our future King sent for me to become his bride! I never dreamed of escaping Nabal’s prison of abuse. When I ran to David, my thoughts were only for the interests of the Kingdom of God. And now, He has given me the world!. Love, Abigail.

David and Abigail’s story is found in I Samuel, Chapter 25 of the Holy Bible.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.