Ann Burton Women of the Bible: Abigail’s Story

Women of the Bible: Abigail's Story

Ann Burton

Signet, Mar 2005, $5.99, 288 pp.

When her father Oren who taught her to believe in Adonai and to make pottery, no longer could walk to the market, Abigail took over those chores as her older brother Rivai who should have done so was too much the foolish dreamer. Still she dreams of marrying for love and raising children together while worshipping Adonai.

Her hopes for the future are shattered when Rivai owes a gambling debt to Nabal that he cannot pay. Abigail offers Nabal her hand in marriage as remittance because a family pays every member's debts; Nabal accepts. Being the Fool that he is, Nabal sends his spouse away to work with sheep. Although she still hopes to be a good wife, Abigail enjoys the solitude and the people she meets. One of those is David, who takes a liking to the proud strong young woman. However, when her husband the Fool refuses to provide food and liquid to a requesting David for his soldiers and actually insults the warriors, war seems imminent. Abigail tries to bring peace between the two men.

Abigail is an interesting biblical character whose story is a short segment of the Book of Samuel. Ann Burton brings more than just Abigail to life as she paints a vivid deep look at a biblical time when Saul is the king. Ms. Burton through the first person account of the title heroine provides an intriguing glimpse at family life of shepherds, warriors, and artisans and obligations like debts. A glossary provides helpful definitions to what is a terrific biblical biographical fiction, the genesis of a new series.

Harriet Klausner