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To Comfort a King
“They searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl and found Abishag, a Shunamite, and brought her to the king. The girl was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him.” 1 Kings 1:3-4 (NIV)
When Abishag leaves her home to fulfill the commission to comfort King David during his final months of life, she leaves behind a deaf sister, a small brother, and a father who is still grieving the death of his wife. Also left behind is Abishag’s betrothed, Joseph, who has already waited many months to claim his bride. Now, he must wait until Israel’s king no longer needs her.
Torn from the comfort of her small village, Abishag is thrust into a world of unfamiliar customs, royal expectations, and palace intrigue. She is greeted suspiciously by the king’s concubines, warmly by Queen Bathsheba, and reluctantly by King David himself. Adonijah, the king’s son, is bitter over his father’s choice of Solomon as Israel’s next king. He determines to ruin Abishag to prevent her from being given as a prize to Solomon at their father’s death.
Suffering personal losses, as well as scorn from much of the royal court, Abishag begins to question God’s goodness in placing her in the king’s service. Can she find someone there who understands that one who comforts the king is in great need of comfort herself? Will Abishag’s time with the king end in despair or joy?
When Abishag leaves her home to fulfill the commission to comfort King David during his final months of life, she leaves behind a deaf sister, a small brother, and a father who is still grieving the death of his wife. Also left behind is Abishag’s betrothed, Joseph, who has already waited many months to claim his bride. Now, he must wait until Israel’s king no longer needs her.
Torn from the comfort of her small village, Abishag is thrust into a world of unfamiliar customs, royal expectations, and palace intrigue. She is greeted suspiciously by the king’s concubines, warmly by Queen Bathsheba, and reluctantly by King David himself. Adonijah, the king’s son, is bitter over his father’s choice of Solomon as Israel’s next king. He determines to ruin Abishag to prevent her from being given as a prize to Solomon at their father’s death.
Suffering personal losses, as well as scorn from much of the royal court, Abishag begins to question God’s goodness in placing her in the king’s service. Can she find someone there who understands that one who comforts the king is in great need of comfort herself? Will Abishag’s time with the king end in despair or joy?
- GenresBiblical FictionFiction
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2013
8 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Gilliland
5 books3 followersDebbie Gilliland began writing in high school, when daily journaling was an assignment. She served as the editor of her high school weekly newspaper and her school yearbook. Later, she attended college in Iowa, where she earned an accounting degree. When not writing, Debbie enjoys walking, riding the GoldWing with her husband, and entertaining the most delightful little people in the world—her grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 25, 2014
When you think of people from the Bible, Abishag is probably not someone most people would name. Yet she is there in 1 Kings 1, the Shunammite virgin found to keep King David warm at the end of his days.
Several people from the Bible capture my imagination, many of them minor characters in the story of salvation, some of them even nameless on the pages of history. Abishag is one of those whose story I've often considered. As I would read through 1 Kings, I wondered what she thought about her assignment to serve and warm the King, what she left behind, what she sacrificed to serve, and what happened to her after David's death.
Ms. Gilliland weaves a beautiful story, creating possible answers to these questions. Yes, most of the story is pure fiction, yet when she could I see an effort to stay true to Scripture. I see where parts of 1 Kings that were not mentioned (like Adonijah setting himself up as King before David's death), yet while these events are major on the biblical stage, they are minor to the story of Abishag, and that's the story the author strives to tell.
The book was touching, and I felt the turmoil within Abishag as she dealt with the choices laid before her. Ms. Gilliland created a sympathetic yet strong character who I wanted to find happiness. The character King David was delightful, and I loved many of the conversations he and Abishag had as she spent her days caring for him.
Cautions
The story takes place within the walls of King David's palace, complete with his out-of-control son Adonijah and concubines. While the author does a good job of handling the topics with care, I would hesitate before recommending this book to teen or sensitive readers. Topics touched on within the books include: several angry concubines David rejected after Absalom slept with them, one concubine who loved the King yet was not called into his presence in his older years, and Adonijah who treats women as possessions and molests Abishag a couple of times.
The Bottom Line - 5 stars
If you like to explore fiction based on actual biblical events or fiction based in Bible times, this book is worth considering.
Several people from the Bible capture my imagination, many of them minor characters in the story of salvation, some of them even nameless on the pages of history. Abishag is one of those whose story I've often considered. As I would read through 1 Kings, I wondered what she thought about her assignment to serve and warm the King, what she left behind, what she sacrificed to serve, and what happened to her after David's death.
Ms. Gilliland weaves a beautiful story, creating possible answers to these questions. Yes, most of the story is pure fiction, yet when she could I see an effort to stay true to Scripture. I see where parts of 1 Kings that were not mentioned (like Adonijah setting himself up as King before David's death), yet while these events are major on the biblical stage, they are minor to the story of Abishag, and that's the story the author strives to tell.
The book was touching, and I felt the turmoil within Abishag as she dealt with the choices laid before her. Ms. Gilliland created a sympathetic yet strong character who I wanted to find happiness. The character King David was delightful, and I loved many of the conversations he and Abishag had as she spent her days caring for him.
Cautions
The story takes place within the walls of King David's palace, complete with his out-of-control son Adonijah and concubines. While the author does a good job of handling the topics with care, I would hesitate before recommending this book to teen or sensitive readers. Topics touched on within the books include: several angry concubines David rejected after Absalom slept with them, one concubine who loved the King yet was not called into his presence in his older years, and Adonijah who treats women as possessions and molests Abishag a couple of times.
The Bottom Line - 5 stars
If you like to explore fiction based on actual biblical events or fiction based in Bible times, this book is worth considering.
December 13, 2019
Received a copy for review.
This was a pretty good read. Going with a 3.75 star rating simply because it didnt fully grasp my attention all the way through. The writing was good, but I just couldn't 100% dive into the story. There also was not a lot of scripture, but that's personal preference.
Abishag was a quiet girl who lived a quiet life and loved a simple man. She was ripped away from her family to care for King David in his final days. I enjoyed her as a character most of the time. She was very sweet, didn't use her beauty for power, loved the arts and knew how to treat people. She was very attentive to King David and eventually became great friends with him. I didn't like how she allowed others to treat her. I understood why she kept quiet, but she should have spoken up sooner.
King David is definitely my favorite character in the story. He was written like a pure man -- with humor, adoration and a caring heart. His love for music was dominant. I loved seeing him laugh in his final days.
Queen Bathsheba was a nice woman. She wasn't 100% rude to Abishag, but she had her moments in the beginning. She was a very adamant woman about making sure David lived as long as possible though. I wish there was more of Solomon. I HATED Adonijah -- no seriously. I dislike him in the Bible for his schemes and pettiness. I hated him in this story with how rude and impossible he was.
My favorite part of the story as a whole were the random words of wisdom both David and Abishag said -- I marked and annotated those moments because they felt so real. Loved the points.
Overall, this was a good read and enjoyed it enough to complete in one day.
This was a pretty good read. Going with a 3.75 star rating simply because it didnt fully grasp my attention all the way through. The writing was good, but I just couldn't 100% dive into the story. There also was not a lot of scripture, but that's personal preference.
Abishag was a quiet girl who lived a quiet life and loved a simple man. She was ripped away from her family to care for King David in his final days. I enjoyed her as a character most of the time. She was very sweet, didn't use her beauty for power, loved the arts and knew how to treat people. She was very attentive to King David and eventually became great friends with him. I didn't like how she allowed others to treat her. I understood why she kept quiet, but she should have spoken up sooner.
King David is definitely my favorite character in the story. He was written like a pure man -- with humor, adoration and a caring heart. His love for music was dominant. I loved seeing him laugh in his final days.
Queen Bathsheba was a nice woman. She wasn't 100% rude to Abishag, but she had her moments in the beginning. She was a very adamant woman about making sure David lived as long as possible though. I wish there was more of Solomon. I HATED Adonijah -- no seriously. I dislike him in the Bible for his schemes and pettiness. I hated him in this story with how rude and impossible he was.
My favorite part of the story as a whole were the random words of wisdom both David and Abishag said -- I marked and annotated those moments because they felt so real. Loved the points.
Overall, this was a good read and enjoyed it enough to complete in one day.
December 17, 2019
Received a copy for review.
This was a pretty good read. Going with a 3.75 star rating simply because it didnt fully grasp my attention all the way through. The writing was good, but I just couldn't 100% dive into the story. There also was not a lot of scripture, but that's personal preference.
Abishag was a quiet girl who lived a quiet life and loved a simple man. She was ripped away from her family to care for King David in his final days. I enjoyed her as a character most of the time. She was very sweet, didn't use her beauty for power, loved the arts and knew how to treat people. She was very attentive to King David and eventually became great friends with him. I didn't like how she allowed others to treat her. I understood why she kept quiet, but she should have spoken up sooner.
King David is definitely my favorite character in the story. He was written like a pure man -- with humor, adoration and a caring heart. His love for music was dominant. I loved seeing him laugh in his final days.
Queen Bathsheba was a nice woman. She wasn't 100% rude to Abishag, but she had her moments in the beginning. She was a very adamant woman about making sure David lived as long as possible though. I wish there was more of Solomon. I HATED Adonijah -- no seriously. I dislike him in the Bible for his schemes and pettiness. I hated him in this story with how rude and impossible he was.
My favorite part of the story as a whole were the random words of wisdom both David and Abishag said -- I marked and annotated those moments because they felt so real. Loved the points.
Overall, this was a good read and enjoyed it enough to complete in one day.
This was a pretty good read. Going with a 3.75 star rating simply because it didnt fully grasp my attention all the way through. The writing was good, but I just couldn't 100% dive into the story. There also was not a lot of scripture, but that's personal preference.
Abishag was a quiet girl who lived a quiet life and loved a simple man. She was ripped away from her family to care for King David in his final days. I enjoyed her as a character most of the time. She was very sweet, didn't use her beauty for power, loved the arts and knew how to treat people. She was very attentive to King David and eventually became great friends with him. I didn't like how she allowed others to treat her. I understood why she kept quiet, but she should have spoken up sooner.
King David is definitely my favorite character in the story. He was written like a pure man -- with humor, adoration and a caring heart. His love for music was dominant. I loved seeing him laugh in his final days.
Queen Bathsheba was a nice woman. She wasn't 100% rude to Abishag, but she had her moments in the beginning. She was a very adamant woman about making sure David lived as long as possible though. I wish there was more of Solomon. I HATED Adonijah -- no seriously. I dislike him in the Bible for his schemes and pettiness. I hated him in this story with how rude and impossible he was.
My favorite part of the story as a whole were the random words of wisdom both David and Abishag said -- I marked and annotated those moments because they felt so real. Loved the points.
Overall, this was a good read and enjoyed it enough to complete in one day.
August 3, 2018
3.5 stars. A decent read, though the end was rather sudden and anti-climactic, but a nice read.
August 17, 2019
Wonder
This is a wonder book! My heart bled the entire time and shed some tears too. I would read it allover again. Recommended reading for anyone.
This is a wonder book! My heart bled the entire time and shed some tears too. I would read it allover again. Recommended reading for anyone.
April 25, 2014
I loved this book; Debbie Gilliland writes with a sure hand, to create her own story and has successfully reinterpreted a well-known tale that sees beyond, leaving the reader with new perspectives based on a Biblical story. She can bring to life a wholly unique love song.
Synopsis:
According to the narrative, David's servants give him Abishag the Shunammite as a maidservant to "keep him warm." A maidservant is a ridiculous way of keeping David warm when they could have just as well given him more blankets or a better fire. Although the Bible text isn't explicit about this, only that it was done. The author gives us a clearer picture of why, as the author goes into detail of how this beautiful young woman named Abishag was called to serve the king of Israel, King David. She resounds on the healing powers that Abishag that she had learned from her Mother, and how she played the harp like an angel, and not only her outward beauty, but the beauty that lived within. The author tells of Abishag pre-years before she is selected, then on through her life as she grows into womanhood, and of the problems that she faced in serving the king.
Some of the quotes from the book are outstanding. Like the one when Abishag's father talks about her eyes in Chapter 1, “Eyes the color of aged honey”. This one is classic, "It was true. News traveled through the fish market faster than flies. If it were remarkable news, it was foisted about with even greater urgency. And the news that Abishag, daughter of Eliezer, had been summoned to the palace was remarkable news indeed!" This one is beautiful: “like a beautiful rose bud, whose petals clung protectively around the heart of the flower”. Chapter 15. : )
This is truly one of those books which the author is able to provide the depth and width of characters, their lives and their fates that brings you into the story as if you were standing right beside them. I enjoyed the poetic language, the detailed descriptions of events and the way every relationship was created to support the story. I look forward to this author's next books.
to support the story. I look forward to this author's next books.
She truly was an "A Friend of the King"
Gilliland, Debbie (2014-04-04). To Comfort A King (p. 5). Ambassador International. Kindle Edition.
Synopsis:
According to the narrative, David's servants give him Abishag the Shunammite as a maidservant to "keep him warm." A maidservant is a ridiculous way of keeping David warm when they could have just as well given him more blankets or a better fire. Although the Bible text isn't explicit about this, only that it was done. The author gives us a clearer picture of why, as the author goes into detail of how this beautiful young woman named Abishag was called to serve the king of Israel, King David. She resounds on the healing powers that Abishag that she had learned from her Mother, and how she played the harp like an angel, and not only her outward beauty, but the beauty that lived within. The author tells of Abishag pre-years before she is selected, then on through her life as she grows into womanhood, and of the problems that she faced in serving the king.
Some of the quotes from the book are outstanding. Like the one when Abishag's father talks about her eyes in Chapter 1, “Eyes the color of aged honey”. This one is classic, "It was true. News traveled through the fish market faster than flies. If it were remarkable news, it was foisted about with even greater urgency. And the news that Abishag, daughter of Eliezer, had been summoned to the palace was remarkable news indeed!" This one is beautiful: “like a beautiful rose bud, whose petals clung protectively around the heart of the flower”. Chapter 15. : )
This is truly one of those books which the author is able to provide the depth and width of characters, their lives and their fates that brings you into the story as if you were standing right beside them. I enjoyed the poetic language, the detailed descriptions of events and the way every relationship was created to support the story. I look forward to this author's next books.
to support the story. I look forward to this author's next books.
She truly was an "A Friend of the King"
Gilliland, Debbie (2014-04-04). To Comfort A King (p. 5). Ambassador International. Kindle Edition.
December 28, 2014
Little Known Character Sheds Light on a King's Latter Days
Abishag--companion to King David. Gilliland answers the "What If" in sketching the scenes of King David's latter months. The scriptures don't say a lot about Abishag, but "To Comfort a King" is believable and examines the treatment of women/wives in the court.
I felt the pain and uncertainty Abishag shouldered in the presence of the king. His charisma and tenderness were legendary. Gilliland certainly portrays both and their effect on Abishag.
I agree with other reviewers it is not recommended for younger readers.
Abishag--companion to King David. Gilliland answers the "What If" in sketching the scenes of King David's latter months. The scriptures don't say a lot about Abishag, but "To Comfort a King" is believable and examines the treatment of women/wives in the court.
I felt the pain and uncertainty Abishag shouldered in the presence of the king. His charisma and tenderness were legendary. Gilliland certainly portrays both and their effect on Abishag.
I agree with other reviewers it is not recommended for younger readers.
Read
May 6, 2014This book is all fiction but a very good read. It really shows King David in a very human light and his queen Bathsheba as a lady of strong loyalty and kindness. I know King David did have a young woman who was chosen to keep him warm in his last days and it would be nice to think this story has validity.
March 13, 2015
It was a good read but not fantastic. I like to read a book that doesn't want me to put it down. This one I could let alone for days at a time. I did find that the intrigue of life in the palace was interesting. I liked having a personal look at a very fictional King David and I especially liked how the author gave Bathsheba and King David a true love story right up to the end.
December 29, 2014
sweet
This was a truly sweet compelling book. The Biblical history is brought alive and made quite real. It is a lovely story about a woman we know little about. Loved the story.
This was a truly sweet compelling book. The Biblical history is brought alive and made quite real. It is a lovely story about a woman we know little about. Loved the story.
January 20, 2015
Easy read, light and short
This telling of the life of the Shunamite woman brought to warm the king of Israel was well done. Very simple and easy to read, nothing deep or overly important about it.
This telling of the life of the Shunamite woman brought to warm the king of Israel was well done. Very simple and easy to read, nothing deep or overly important about it.
February 13, 2015
Good for a quick read
Down time relaxing with thoughtful sweet story will soften your heart when you curl up to read this book. Not heavy not long not funny or in believe able. I feel young readers will enjoy this quick read.
Down time relaxing with thoughtful sweet story will soften your heart when you curl up to read this book. Not heavy not long not funny or in believe able. I feel young readers will enjoy this quick read.
June 24, 2015
Not a great book. I kept waiting for it to get better only to be disappointed. Abrupt ending as well. Perhaps it's a first novel for this author
January 6, 2016
It's a lively story about a little-known woman who is named in the lives of both King David and King Solomon.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews