OT Characters: Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/ot61-davids-wives/">website</a>.</p><p>Hebrew words:</p><ul><li><i>Mikhál</i> = brook</li><li><i>'Avigail</i> = my father is joy</li><li><i>Bath-sheva' </i>= daughter of the oath</li></ul><p>David's wives:</p><ul><li>Ahinoam, Maachah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah</li><li>Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba—and possibly more</li><li>Note: this does not include concubines (secondary wives)</li></ul><p><strong>Michal: 1 Sam 14:50; 18:20, 28; 19:11-17; 25:44; 2 Sam 3:13; 6:14-15; 16-23; 1 Chr 15:29</strong></p><p>What we learn about Michal:</p><ul><li>She is Saul's daughter; there was a political dimension to the marriage.</li><li>She loves David, but is tempted to control him.</li><li>Michal she has a sharp tongue, and can be sarcastic.</li><li>She is scandalized by his expressive worship, despising her husband. Yet her critical attitude is based on her <i>opinion</i>. David did not dishonor anyone.</li><li>David seems to respond by withdrawing conjugal love from her—unless the Lord was disciplining her by denying her children. (I lean towards to former possibility.)</li><li><i>Are we sometimes like Michal, embarrassed by others' expressions of religious fervor, or evangelistic bluntness, or strong biblical convictions? Do we care too much about our own reputation?</i></li></ul><p><strong>Abigail: 1 Sam 25:14-42; 30:5, 18</strong></p><p>What we learn about Abigail:</p><ul><li>She is beautiful and intelligent.</li><li>Whereas her husband lacked character and integrity, she was abounding in these qualities.</li><li>Like Michal, she can think on her feet—and she is discreet.</li><li>Like Michal, Abigail was connected to a controlling, ungodly, manipulative man.</li><li>She is diplomatic—a "defuser," not a "detonator." (Most men greatly need such voices of reason in their lives.)</li><li>She is "rescued" twice by David. Interestingly, Michal too is removed from David, then restored.</li><li><i>How about us? Are we wise, able to defuse sensi