Even When We Err, Christ is Leading Us -- Abishag

"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" (Romans 5: 20)

The account of Abishag the Shunamite in First Kings Chapter One may seem confusing, if not distressing.

King David tries to bundle himself up with warmth, as in his old age he is stricken with cold.

Instead of allowing his beloved with Bath-Sheba (whose name means daughter of the oath, or Daughter of the Oath), David chose to lie with a virgin name Abishag, whose name means "Father of Error" or Source of Error.

David was doing something wrong, but He did not "know her" (1 Kings 1: 4)

This passage demonstrates the power of God's superabounding grace, even when we sin.

Let's start with defining "The Oath".

When Jesus Christ died on the Cross, He fulfilled for us the oath which God had cut with Abraham:

"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12: 3)

This promise was fulfilled in Christ Jesus:

"13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3: 13-14)

Jesus had to hang on a Cross, not just die, because Jesus not just died for our sins, but also took our curse:

"His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance." (Deuteronomy 21: 23)

Even when we sin, God's grace will superabound in our weakness:

"9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)

Now, on to First Kings. . .

Paul did not run from his failures. In the same wise, we should not hide our sins, our frustrations, our hardships, or when others trouble us:

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4: 16)

"In time of need" certainly includes when we fail:

"Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." (Romans 4: 7)

The man who is "blessed" has committed sin! Otherwise, why does he need to be forgiven?

John pronounces this wonderful gift in the first chapter of his First Epistle:

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)

"In the light" is a place and a person, not anything that we do. Otherwise,

What is grace?

"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." (Romans 11: 6)

Grace is unearned, unmerited favor. Christ's death on the Cross typifies this truth:

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8)




We did not ask for this death, we did not earn this death on our behalf. God gave it to us.

With Jesus, we receive all things:


"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)

This gift keeps in giving to us. We did not earn it. We did not deserve. And this is also true for all other things in our lives.