THE SERVICE OF ABISHAG
A. B. Parker
I have been struck, of late, with the difference between the record in 1 Kings and in Chronicles of David as an old man. In 1 Kings 1 there is very considerable detail given of his physical weakness, whereas, in the close of 1 Chronicles he is seen in spiritual vigour in relation to the establishment of the great system of praise and Levitical service which he ordered in anticipation of the completion of the temple by Solomon. In the meantime the service was carried on in the tent which he had pitched where the ark was enshrined awaiting the time of the settled place for the divine dwelling. The blessed Spirit has given us these two views of David’s last days. There is the historical side, dealing with the kingdom viewpoint, and the intensely spiritual record to stress what is going through.
It is suggested that in 1 Kings 1 Abishag represents an element of moral purity which underlies the glory of what is spoken of in 1 Chronicles. David, as responsible head of the kingdom, is weak, unable to keep warm. Earlier; he had been almost overwhelmed by the Philistine, but Abishai succoured him (see 2 Samuel 21: 15–17). But, in spite of weakness, he still was able to administer the kingdom as none other could. Nathan, Zadok and Benaiah were alarmed when they heard that Adonijah had attempted to usurp the kingdom. He had gathered all the king’s sons, except Solomon, all the men of Judah, and had sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatted cattle; and he and his guests ate and drank and rejoiced, and they said, “God save king Adonijah!” What could be done to meet this emergency? Nathan determined that David should know about it. Weak as David was, he still was the king, the outstanding kingdom man, and he knew what to do.
David knew that Solomon should be anointed king in Gihon. What is the significance of Gihon? Gihon, according to Genesis 2: 13 relates to the power of the Holy Spirit which surrounds the land of Cush—controls the power of darkness. David’s knowledge of God as the One who had redeemed his soul out of all distress (1 Kings 1: 29) underlay his administration and, as ministered to by Abishag the Shunamite, he rises in power to meet the crisis. Solomon is set upon the throne of the kingdom and the city was “in an uproar” of rejoicing. Adonijah fled to find sanctuary by taking hold of the horns of the altar.
In our day there have been tremendous testings and, outwardly, we are very weak; but Abishag represents an element which is pure in motive, outlook and feelings, and devoted unselfishly to the resuscitation and preservation of life in the saints which is pleasing to God.
Is there not such an element today? I am sure there is, and our concern should be to have part in it. This, I believe, is what Abishag suggests. It is not a question of distinctive gift or outward display, but power for resuscitation, comfort and strengthening. Great servants have laid down their lives, in fact and in principle, that the truth may go forward, and not only be ministered, but taken on and worked out substantially in the saints. Abishag represents a subjective element which would preserve this in power.
When Israel asked for a king to rule over them, Jehovah said to Samuel, “They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me”, 1 Samuel 8: 7. God was their King. Why were they not satisfied with Jehovah as King? Can we not be satisfied to allow the Lord to exercise His rights over us, rejoicing in His lordship and headship? Will He not, through our personal links with Him and by God’s word, promote and maintain His work amongst us? Will not the blessed Spirit join His help to our weakness? Will not the mind of Christ function amongst us? Let us not long for the easy way out, but face exercises and not be satisfied until we get the divine answer. Thank God for every one amongst us who can help us by imparting God’s mind to us, but let us strengthen ourselves through the knowledge of God in our experience as David did. He relied upon the God who had redeemed his soul out of all distress.
Adonijah had said, “I will be king”. He nearly lost his life in doing so. But now, in the verses we read, he comes to Bathsheba and tells her that the kingdom was his, but it became his brother’s for this was from Jehovah. Then he asks that the king be asked to give Abishag to him. Think of the audacity of that man! Solomon told Bathsheba that he might just as well ask for the kingdom! Without Abishag, David would have been without strength. How vital is the true subjective work of God in the saints! May we all be preserved from any desire or effort to attach what is so precious to Christ to ourselves. Let us not seek our own, but be as Paul, who could say, “I have espoused you unto one man, to present you a chaste virgin to Christ”, 2 Corinthians 11: 2. Oh that this may characterise every service that is carried on!
As far as we know the service of praise, established by David when the ark was under curtains, went right through into the temple unchanged. It would be a wonderful thing if we could reach a scope and state in the service of praise, under the headship of Christ and in the power of the Spirit, which can be transferred right into heaven at the rapture! May the Lord help us, through the application of what
Abishag represents, that this may be so. I believe that Abishag exists amongst us, but more scope needs to be made for this element in us, individually, that revival may be accelerated, that fresh life may spring up and be stimulated, and that Christ may be enthroned in the affections of His devoted people.
Word in meeting for ministry, Brooklyn, N.Y.
13 May 19