Abigail: (A Biblical Retelling of Second Chances)

This is a wonderful view of whatpm life was like for a Godly woman of the time. Real emotions and struggles to accept the worlds of man and faith.

Reading entertainment.

Abigail is Jill Eileen Smith's second installment in her series on the wives of King David. Although the second book builds on the first, Michal, it easily stands on its own. You do not have to read the first book to enjoy the second (although, if you're unfamiliar with the Biblical account of David's life, you may be a bit puzzled by the references to the absent character of Michal in the second book).As in her first book, Smith sticks close to the Biblical account, and yet still manages to flesh out the story, filling in the parts that the Bible doesn't tell with a narrative that is well thought out and plausible. Both Michal and Abigail are bittersweet tales of women whose lives ultimately lacked contentment and fulfillment as we regard it in our 21st century Western culture. Indeed, Smith's story made me look at Abigail in a way I had never considered before. She is the only one of David's wives whose character is spoken of in a positive light in the Scriptures, and until reading this book my consideration of her story ran along pretty limited lines; she was a woman of honorable character, married to a churl (the Bible calls him a fool), whose act of bravery saved his life. Then, when the boor was struck down and died (yay!), the beautiful Abigail was free and the handsome King-to-be David offered for her hand. Of course she accepted (who wouldn't?), and got to live happily ever after as a beloved and noble wife of Israel's greatest king.Smith, however, peels away the rosy film and makes us take a realistic look at Abigail's story, showing us the very human emotions of the very real woman. We see instead the loneliness that plagued her entire adult life, as both of her husbands failed to give her the love she longed for (her first husband would not and her second husband could not). I realized (how come it never occurred to me before?) that Abigail, like every other one of David's wives (except for Bathsheba) was chosen for the strategic advantage she could bring to David's kingship. Yes, every one of them were beautiful as well (he certainly wouldn't have chosen them otherwise), but they were really little more than political alliances for the purpose of strengthening David's power (and of course, bringing him pleasure in the bargain). Abigail wasn't the daughter of royalty and so had no political appeal for David, but the wealth left her by her first husband no doubt added luster to her physical beauty, and was a strong incentive for David to take her as his wife, especially at that crucial time in his life.Abigail's struggles with loneliness, jealousy and insecurity resonated strongly with me; at times I could totally feel her pain, as I have felt it myself too many times in my own life. And yet, I never could quite connect solidly with her; my empathy with her was sporadic, rather than sustained, and it wasn't quite strong enough to overcome some of the other weaknesses in the book.Plot-wise, Abigail is much stronger than Michal. It never feels contrived, there are no jerky time-skips where the characters' feelings and emotions change without explanation. Abigail's interactions with other females (namely Ahinoam) showed an improvement, as they didn't have the flat, adolescent cat-fighting feel of the early part of Michal's story (when she was spatting with her older sister Merab). However, in Abigail David's character was lackluster; I don't know if it was the author's intention or not, but I found myself not liking him all that much. Part of it can't be helped, given the situation with his many wives (as explained above), but he didn't even seem all that brave or intelligent as a leader, either. More often it seemed to be his assistants and mighty men who came up with the bright ideas, and who pointed out the flaws in David's ideas. It's been a year since I've read Michal, but I don't recall feeling this ambivalence towards David when reading that book; and to be honest, I was a bit uncomfortable with it. I wanted David to have some redeeming quality to make me like him (so that I could understand and reconcile myself to Abigail's lot in life), but I couldn't quite find it. In spite of his frequent reflections to himself and to Abigail that he wished she were his only wife, I found his actions spoke loudest of all and his words failed to convince me. I can't bring myself to use the word "cad" to describe King David, but he did uncomfortably remind me of some of the men I have known and who have caused me pain!Smith seems to have a penchant for creating emotionally climactic endings for her books. And while she was highly successful at doing so in Michal (her couldn't-put-the-book-down ending made up for the many other flaws in the book) , she was less successful in Abigail. It just didn't touch my emotions, probably because I just couldn't really see David going after Abigail the way he did, and because his words felt shallow and hollow to my ears (especially knowing what's coming down the road, that David will take at least one more wife -- Bathsheba -- and Abigail is therefore destined for more heartbreak).Taken together, the books are an interesting and well-thought out look at the lives of David's wives (and at his life, as well). I don't regard Jill Eileen Smith as the strongest of writers -- in places she tends to load up too much on adjectives, for one thing -- and this book took me twice as long to finish as it should have, as I found it all to easy to put it down to get up and do something else. Nevertheless, I would have no problem recommending her books. I do plan to buy and read the final book in this series, as I am curious to see how she treats the very dramatic story of Bathsheba. But once this series is finished I am not certain if I would buy or read any more by this author.

Abigail of Carmel expected her marriage to Nabal would be happy, if not perfect. Instead, the somewhat forceful man she met at her betrothal has become selfish, arrogant, and abusive. Yet Abigail can't escape the marriage because the betrothal was made to get her family out of debt to Nabal's unscrupulous father. Thus, Abigail spends years surviving an abusive marriage and clinging to faith, but not truly expecting anything to get better. When an encounter with David, Adonai's chosen king of Israel, changes Abigail's life, will she be prepared for everything the changes entail?Abigail leaps off the page and becomes a woman worth cheering for and caring about. After the schemes of Michal, her righteousness, discernment, and wisdom are breaths of fresh air. But as with all Jill Eileen Smith's characters, she's realistically flawed. Abigail sometimes takes on guilt for things she shouldn't, giving her a bit of a martyr complex. Other times, she has the right idea about how to approach situations but tries to solve them selfishly, so that she benefits more than anyone else. Of course, some of that can be blamed on her years in an abusive marriage, but while Abigail's actions are true to that, she never comes across as a victim. She gets sympathy and empathy from readers not because she's pitiful, but because readers know she's doing the best she can in less than ideal circumstances.Speaking of which, David comes across like this in Abigail's story, too. Once again, he is deeply flawed. Abigail's story, more than Michal's, shows the complications of polygamy and why it never works--not just because of Old Testament law, but because it is not God's ideal or plan. Like all of us, David rationalizes wrong actions, but his repentance is always true. He and Abigail share some gratifying tender moments, but I think I liked some of their tension-filled interactions better. Their marriage shows the truth of any marriage--yes, it's romantic, but it's real. It can be raw; sometimes it can hurt. There will always be complications, and only God can walk us through those with fairness and mercy.Once again, Jill's research shines through in this novel, making the events of 1 Samuel feel as real and relevant as if they were happening right now. She also delves into the personalities and stories of some minor Biblical characters such as Chileab, the son born to Abigail and David. Artistic license exists, but it doesn't dishonor Scripture or damage the spirit of the real Biblical story.If I had to pick one negative thing, I'd say Jill used the words "foolish" and "fool" too much. Also, despite the fact that it was historically correct, the idea that Chileab would never be king because of a disability pricked my heart. However, these are minor and perhaps nonexistent issues when taken with the whole book. I'm so glad I found this series.

Religious book covering one of the many women of the Bible. While we don't know much of these women, this fictional book helps us think of the times of how these women survived and thrived during the harsh and difficult times of the OT times of the Bible. It is always good to reference the Bible while reading these books so that you know the background of these women and their families. It makes more sense then.

I’ve read a lot of Jill Eileen Smith’s books but I loved this one best of all (so far). Abigail is such a lovely, faithful and humble person and Jill brings her to life in a way I could never have imagined possible.King David is faithfully represented and also humanised. The myth of the shepherd-boy giant slayer becomes a richly drawn and very human story. David comes across as a hugely charismatic, powerful and decisive war-leader. He is also a King whose responsibilities and sometimes impulsive emotions threaten to overwhelm him.Both characters are colourfully drawn. I cried, I laughed and my pulse skipped a beat more than once during the sometimes heart breaking complexities of polygamous marriage and the hugely dynastic, warring traditions of the time.I’m about to begin reading about Bathsheba’s part in David’s life. I’ll let you know how I get on…

I am fully aware this is NOT a detailed account of the bible, but she has put enough evidence of the bible into this story with the research of the day and era. This is no different to when you listen to preacher or teacher of the word who would have had to do their own historical research and interpret it to their present day knowledge. Recognising the author has skilfully weaved fiction into a true biblical event. If you know your bible then you will be able to separate fiction from fact. Thank you for bring your creative gift and vision to the Word of God.

I was recommended this [and the other 2 - Bathsheba and Michal] books about King David's wives, telling stories from the Old Testament in ways that are quite different to what we're used to, digging deeper, looking from someone else's point of view, putting flesh on the bare bones. Quite well written, certainly worth readiong - my big objection was the number of times modern expressions and americanisms crept in - they grated. But a good read and something to make you think.

I really loved the book itself but unfortunately when it arrived it came with a few creases... that would be the only thing I'd complain about. That said, it was an excellent creative representation of what the Biblical Abigail might have done, said, felt or thought during her time. It was a beautiful story without being sickly sweet. Jill Eileen Smith's novels are a good go-to for relaxation if you're tired of the usual too- good- to- be- true romance fiction books and like a dash of history thrown in. I find that its modesty as a romance, while simultaneously still being able to show the sizzling chemistry between a man and his wife, very refreshing.

As I continue to read my way through these wonderful novels so well written and faithful (wherever possible) to the biblical narrative I have found them inspiring and helpful as well as entertaining. Superb read and thoroughly recommend them all. (Posted by Penny CALLAGHAN)