R-E-S-P-E-C-T

1 King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm. 2 So his advisers told him, “Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm.” 3 So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king. 4 The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her. - 1 Kings 1:1-4

Abishag was chosen to be the live-in nurse for an ailing King David. After his death she found herself a bargaining chip between David's sons, Solomon - who had been chosen as David's successor, and Adonijah - who had tried to become king without his father's knowledge. Adonijah wanted to marry her, and in doing so would probably have used her as leverage in his quest to get the throne. But, what I am wondering is: Did anyone stop to wonder what Abishag thought or felt about this? She was like a dog, or a piece of furniture, it seems.

At home and in the work place sometimes people are treated as objects, instead of as persons. Family members may withhold appreciation; co-workers may treat you like another piece of office equipment. It's important to resist feeling hopelessness during these times. We have remember that God knows us and will always treat us as a person whom He loves.