1 Samuel 25:40
“When the servants of David had come to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her saying, ‘David sent us to you, to ask you to become his wife.’”

Today’s topic may not apply to many, but it’s still good to treat it because you may be in a position to counsel someone who needs it. The subject for today’s devotion is re-marriage for a widow or widower.

In some cultures, re-marriage is not looked at favorably. In fact, people consider you unfaithful to your dead spouse if you re-marry. Sadly, there is an unspoken understanding that true love means remaining unmarried after your spouse dies.

Remaining unmarried after your spouse dies is your choice, but it is not a Biblical command, just like marriage itself is not a Biblical command. Marriage is totally optional, and whether you marry or remarry is at your discretion.

If remaining unmarried will help you serve your God better and fulfill your life calling, stay unmarried by all means. But if you know you need to re-marry, don’t let your culture hold you back. Culture is not divine instruction.

David proposed marriage to Abigail after Nabal died, and she accepted. We are not sure how long after Nabal’s death this happened, but she must have discerned this as God’s will for her. She did not think twice.

As with marrying the first time, if you must re-marry, please ensure that you are marrying a person with a vision and a mission from God. Marrying for the sake of marrying is a wrong reason for marrying. Look for purpose in marriage.

Abigail understood David’s prophetic future. She understood her role in David’s life and future. In her words, she saw herself as called to “wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” Marriage or re-marriage must be with a long-term purpose in mind.

Finally, Abigail’s choice to marry David was much better than her first choice to marry Nabal. While we don’t want to compare the first spouse and possible new one, it will be unwise to re-marry and fall into regret. Choose wisely the second time.