Bound in the Bundle of Life

In the book of I Samuel 25:29, we read the following unusual sentence: “If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life in the care of the Lord your God.”  When I first came across this verse over twenty years ago, I remember then that it caught my attention. These words are spoken by the beautiful and wise Abigail, wife of her boorish husband Nabal, who just dishonored David.  In response to this insult, David has gathered his group of vagabond soldiers to destroy all the male population living with Nabal. Hearing of her husband’s rashness, Abigail sends servants with food and requests favor of David to reconsider his decision. The phrase “bound in the bundle of life,” may have been just what was needed for David to change his mind.  To be bound in the bundle of life is to know that you are protected and cared for, very deeply.  When someone was sending something very valuable to someone of importance, the servant would take the valued item and wrap it in cloth, cotton, and other soft materials to protect the item.  That which was valued, was then wrapped again and again to ensure its safe arrival.  Thus we have this statement, “bound in the bundle of life.”  Abigail is reminding David that he has gotten to where he is because of God’s protection and value upon his life.  Just in the previous chapter, David had a close encounter with Saul and once again David is reminded that God is in complete control and really doesn’t have to avenge his honor…God will take care of loutish Nabal, just as He is about to remove Saul from his throne.  For now, David’s wanderings and difficulties are all a part of God’s plan to prepare a King…and though the road may be a rough one, he will arrive safely—“bound in the bundle of life.”