by Ann Burton
zaqen: elder
zebed: dowry, given to a bride’s husband
DISCUSSION GUIDE
The family was the foundation of rural society in Ancient Israel. Compare Abigail’s family to your own: What about them is different, or similar? What advantages or disadvantages does family give to a person in today’s world?
Mosaic law curtailed the activities of women like Abigail and forced them to live sheltered lives. What would it be like to live under such restrictions? What are some of the restrictions modern women encounter in your country? Are such restrictions methods to safeguard or control women?
In Abigail’s time, a family member called a go’el was required by law to pay any debts that another member of the family could not. What is the equivalent of a go’el in our time? While today it is no longer a legal requirement to act as go’el, should family members still help each other with their debts? Why?
Shepherds appear in many stories from the Bible, and many characters from the Bible once lived as shepherds. Why are shepherds such an important and enduring symbol? Who are the shepherds of our time, and what have they done to make our lives better?
The story of David and Goliath illustrates how courage and ingenuity can often defeat strength and bravado. Can you think of other battles that have taken place between similarly mismatched opponents? Who won those battles, and why?
Half of the women who gave birth in Ancient Israel died of complications following childbirth. Today, conditions for expectant mothers in some countries are little better than they were three thousand years ago. What can be done to help these countries improve maternal and infant mortality rates? How can better education help improve the health of pregnant women?
The worshipping and making of graven images were forbidden among Abigail’s people so that they would not be tempted to pay homage to false gods. What practices are taboo in your culture or religion? Why are these important? Which would you change, and why?
Abigail compares many things in her life to the making of pottery. Apply aspects of your work or hobbies to life in general. What wisdom can you draw from them? How might they help other people live better and make wiser decisions?
David was King Saul’s acknowledged successor, and yet the king was jealous and suspicious of him, and tried to kill him. David, however, refused to strike back. What do you think was the reason behind Saul’s behavior? Was David right in not trying to retaliate?
Abigail’s story is about the price of family love, generosity, and pride. Which character from the story do you most sympathize with? Which character was most at fault? How would you have handled Abigail’s dilemmas?
RECOMMENDED READING
Families in Ancient Israel, by Leo G. Perdue, Joseph Blenkinsopp, John J. Collins, and Carol Meyers, published by Westminster John Knox Press, ISBN# 0-664-25567-1
Life in Biblical Israel, by Philip J. King and Lawrence E. Stager, published by Westminster John Knox Press, ISBN# 0-664-22148-3
The Everything Jewish History & Heritage Book, by Richard D. Bank and Julie Gutin, published by Adams Media Corporation, ISBN# 1-58062-966-0
What Did the Biblical Writers Know & When Did They Know It: What Archaeology Can Tell Us About the Reality of Ancient Israel, by William G. Dever, published by Wm. E. Eerdmans Publishing Company, ISBN# 0-8028-2126-X
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s Imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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