How do we fit into God’s grand story? That is the question many of us are trying to find the answer to today.
Why am I here?
What was I created for?
What is my purpose?
You’re not the only one asking these questions. In fact, there is a multi-billion-dollar industry that makes its living from helping you find your purpose (books, blogs, life-coaches, conferences…etc). Purpose is important. But maybe you’re already fulfilling God’s purpose and don’t realize it.
Abishag
There’s an often-overlooked woman in the bible who had a significant purpose. Her name is Abishag (1 Kings 1-3). King David was advanced in years, and needed help keeping his body warm. His servants agreed that perhaps finding a young maiden to lay with him might help generate heat to sustain him. A search ensued, and there was found one woman, of superior beauty to all other women, to fulfill this purpose – Abishag the Shunammite.
Abishag finds herself in a unique place in God’s story. She’s a young girl taken from her father’s house to serve the king of Israel at a time, unbeknownst to her, that a power-play was also taking place for the throne of Israel, one in which she would find herself in the middle of.
King David’s fourth son, Adonijah, attempted to gain possession of the government while his father was still alive, by declaring himself the new king – even though the intended royal succession was Solomon, David’s son. Being warned of Adonijah’s plans by Nathan the prophet, Bathsheba (David’s wife and Solomon’s mother) met with the king in private to discuss the matter, along with Abishag, who was caring for the king at the time. Upon learning of the Adonijah’s plan, David immediately called for Nathan the prophet, Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada to anoint Solomon as king.
The news reached Adonijah and his party that Solomon was the official king. He feared Solomon and sought mercy from him, which he received…but it was short-lived. After David’s passing, Adonijah approached Bathsheba, asking her to petition Solomon to give Abishag the Shunammite as his wife. He considered his request as fair compensation for not receiving the crown, since he felt he deserved it as the older brother. Solomon saw right through Adonijah’s plot; that taking a member of the king’s harem, especially Abishag, David’s personal maidservant, would normally be interpreted as a claim to the throne. This request would not go unpunished. It cost Adonijah his life.
Purpose
So, what do we learn about purpose from Abishag, a woman who has no spoken word recorded?
She became the comfort to sustain David’s life at a critical transfer of power in Israel
She became the key witness in a private conversation where she could verify David’s words
She became the instrument God used to expose Adonijah’s continued treachery
Every life has purpose, even yours. Maybe we just need to take a step back from the multi-billion-dollar industry and see if from God’s perspective. ~ JCM
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