Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction. (v. 11)
The Bible is one book, but it is made up of many books, with many different genres of writing. These books include the language and literature of the law, poetry, prophecy, the letters, history, and the gospels. No doubt you’ve noticed the Bible contains the biographies of many individuals—people who served God, as well as those who opposed him. They include men, women, Jews, Gentiles, kings and servants, the wise and the foolish. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul tells us that these stories are written as examples for us, “for our instruction” (v. 11). We can learn much from these lives.
In the overarching story of King David’s life, which we read about in 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 Kings, there are many characters that play smaller—but important—roles in the narrative. Included in these are three notable wives of King David. We’ll be considering his first wife, Michal, and the events that led to her bitterness, and her estrangement from David. We will also read about Abigail, whose wisdom and humility blessed and protected David and many others. Finally, we’ll see God’s grace in the complicated love story of David and Bathsheba, and how restoration followed judgment in Bathsheba’s life.
We will see commendable things and shocking things in the lives of these three women, but all these things are written for our instruction in our walk with God.
As you pray, ask God for an open heart, to learn from his Word.
About the Author
Laura N. Sweet is a wife, mother, grandmother, and former Christian schoolteacher from Midland, Michigan. She writes devotional material for both adults and children, and her work has appeared in more than a dozen publications.
