Another great book by Jill Smith. With her imagination and true facts taken from scripture, we get a glimpse of what it might be like to be one of King Davids wives. Very well written. ( )

Great book,gives real insight of the times ( )

This is the second story in "The Wives of King David" series, and I found myself enjoying it more than book one, which was about David's wife Michal. It is a story that shows a woman's struggle to love a man who chooses to have many wives. I don't often read biblical fiction stories, but this one did a great job of helping you see the turmoil David experienced by marrying many wives.

Abigail finds herself in a bad, abusive first marriage. When her husband dies, David takes her hand in marriage, making her wive number three. Abigail grows to love David, but as he continues to take more wives, the heartache and pain it causes her and his other wives is obvious. How can you love a man who wakes up in the morning and spends a few minutes of his time devoted to you, and then moves on to another wife. A man who sends for you periodically and expects you to be okay with the whole arrangement.

The story was well done. The historical and biblical facts were there, although one will never know exactly what went on between any of David and his many wives. I can only say as the author did at the end of her book, "Despite three thousand years spanning between us, human nature has not changed. Men and women will always find ways to justify their actions." David tried to justify his many wives, but as you can tell from reading this book, his excuses seemed pretty weak in the eyes of someone who loved him. ( )

My Synopsis:

Abigail (The Wives of King David - Book 2) by Jill Eileen Smith

(For review from Revell - Blog Tour dates February 21-28)

David has yet to become King. He and his band of followers are on the run from Saul's army. During this time David meets Abigail, the wife of Nabal of Carmel. Abigail has led a life of pain and heartache as Nabal's wife, always in fear of his violent temper. When Abigail helps David to feed his people, Nabal's anger turns on her, but he is stricken down and soon after dies.

David takes Abigail as his third wife. Abigail soon learns that being a wife of powerful man has it's disadvantages. As her love for David grows, she is forced to see that his affection will never be wholly hers. The fact that she has not produced a son, is also a misfortune and she wonders if she will ever truly be happy. Will Abigail give David a son, she most desperately wants? When will David become King and how will that change their lives? Does David love Abigail?

My Thoughts:

Jill Eileen Smith does an superb job with the second book in The Wives of King David series. Abigail is poignant and full of deep emotion. Readers will feel Abigail's fear on her wedding night as Nabal shows his contempt for her family and her religion. They will be instantly be transported to the time of 1 & 2 Samuel with the amazing descriptions.

It was easy to see why David was so loved by his followers, as he attends to their needs. Smith, shows David as not only the warrior, but the lover and poet. I loved his character very much. Abigail's character is so human, letting her emotions of jealousy and worry get to her as many women do.

I loved this book! Definitely, one of my favorites of the year! I can't wait to read the next installment in the series, Bathsheba, due out next year.

Available February 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Overall I give this one 5 out of 5 apples from my Book Bag!

Second in the Wives of King David series, Abigail is a beautiful story about one woman's journey towards marriage to a king and how she keeps her faith in God along the way. Although we only have what Scripture tells us of Abigail and her story, Jill Eileen Smith fills in the blanks of what might have been to give us a wonderful story of a faithful woman and wife. Through her trials and terrors of being married to Nabal, her first husband, to her marriage to David and her jealousy of his other wives. This story is brought to life through Jill Eileen Smith's wonderful descriptions of sights, smells, sounds, and characters.

Storyline: Abigail is forced to marry the abusive Nabal, and tries to be a faithful and good wife. When she one day she learns that David is coming to take revenge on her husband and his household, she decides to take matters in to her own hands. After her husband dies from the shock of what she has done, she receives word from David that he is willing to take her has his wife and take care of her. She quickly accepts, wanting another chance to have the husband she always dreamed of. Will life as a king's life be all that she wants? ( )