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Abishag Make notes on the following:

Her character

Her sorrow/heartache

Her joy/redemption

Write a summary of her story ______

Prayer Focus Take some time to praise God for your husband (please change this to reflect your life if you are not married, thanking the Lord that you can care for Him). Ask the Lord to elp you serve and minister to your husband’s needs. Ask for His help for you to be aware of any needs you have not been meeting for your husband. Pray that you will continue to look to the Lord for strength and the energy needed to care for your marriage. Thank the Lord for the Godly people He has placed in your life. If you don’t have many (or any) Godly people, ask Him to send you some. Also ask Him to help you grow into the Godly woman He designed you to be.

Notes: ______

A Work Of Grace|aimeeimbeau.com Abishag You may not have heard of Abishag before. She has such a small part in God’s word. But, I think knowing her story is important for us. Her story can be found in :2, 3, 15 and 2:17, 21, 22.

Abishag was caught up in the royal equivalent to a soap opera. She was brought to as a young virgin in order to keep the old man warm. Then one of David’s sons tried to use her to take over the throne. Yikes!

Here’s a bit of background:

David was well on in years. He was old, and tired. He couldn’t rule the nation as a King. He couldn’t even keep himself warm in his own bed! And, so, the servants sent for a young and beautiful woman to keep him warm. Does this sound weird to you? It certainly sounds strange to me! My goodness, if my husband was cold, I’d want to be the one to keep him warm! But this practice wasn’t weird back then. In fact, it was totally normal and acceptable.

1. What kind of woman was sought to warm David? ______I think it is important to note that she had to be a virgin. Why do you think this is? There is some speculation that Abishag ended up being David’s concubine, but I’m thinking that if the guy couldn’t even keep himself warm, it isn’t likely that he’d be able to “perform”. When my husband isn’t feeling well, he’s certainly not in the mood for frisky business, so I doubt David would. Just a thought here as we try to learn about this women.

2. What was the purpose of Abishag according to the servants? What would her duties be? ______3. Did David ‘know’ her? ______4. Inviting a young, beautiful woman to minister to David was considered a normal medical practice. While I wouldn’t want this for my husband, I can still learn from this story about how to minister to my husband. What can you learn? How can you selflessly serve and minister to your husband? ______5. I wonder if the servants wanted David to be ‘refreshed’ or invigorated by having a warm body near him. David was at the end of his life and had yet to name a successor to the throne. There was threat of ​ taking over, which would not be good for the nation at all. If you keep reading chapter 1, you can see that it sounds very much like a soap opera! I love how Scripture says that Adonijah​‘s father (David) never rebuked him by asking “Why do you behave as you do?”.​ Read the rest of the chapter and jot down significant facts and information. ______

A Work Of Grace|aimeeimbeau.com Abishag ______6. Verse 15 mentions Abishag again, simply stating that she was attending David. David could not take care of himself. He needed to be surrounded by people who cared for him, both in a physical sense as well as to help him make final decisions as king. Abishag played a part in helping David make such a pivotal decision as who will reign when he has died. How can we apply this understanding to our role as wives and as Godly women? How can we be influences for good and not evil? How can we offer wisdom to our husbands? How can we take care of their needs so that they can be better equipped to make important decisions with us? ______7. Let’s look at chapter 2, verse 17 mentions Abishag’s name again. She is being caught in the middle of a conspiracy. You see, Adonijah ​appealed to to take Abishag as his wife. Thankfully, Bathsheba was an incredibly intelligent woman! She saw right through Adonijah‘s​ ploy. You see, he wanted Abishag for his wife so that he could attempt to take the throne away from through having David’s concu- bines. Although it was likely unintentional, Abishag surrounded herself with wise people, including Bath- sheba. I am sure that Bathsheba’s interests were more for her son, Solomon, but her choices in this moment would affect Abishag, for certain. Are you surrounding yourself with wise women? Women who see beyond the surface? Women who look to the Lord for discernment? ______From this mini-study, write down at least ways in which you can serve your husband (or the Lord if you are single).

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A Work Of Grace|aimeeimbeau.com God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown You, my brothers and sisters, were called him as you have helped his people and to be free. But do not use your freedom to continue to help them. indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Hebrews 6:10 Galatians 5:13

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Therefore, I urge you, brothers and But be sure to fear the LORD and serve sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer him faithfully with all your heart; your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy consider what great things he has done and pleasing to God—this is your true for you. and proper worship. 1 Samuel 12:24 Romans 12:1

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Whoever serves me must follow me; How much more, then, will the blood and where I am, my servant also will of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit be. My Father will honor the one who offered himself unblemished to God, serves me. cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! John 12:26

Hebrews 9:14

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