-
Offering Myself WillinglyThe Watchtower—1967 | February 1
-
-
This was the last assignment for Nathan and me together, as he passed away before we finished this assignment. Many times, as we would be leaving friends, he would say, “Keep up the good work!” I felt he would say the same to me, and this I was willing to do with the help of Jehovah.
In 1943 the Society assigned me to Trenton, New Jersey, with ten other special pioneers. There were about twenty publishers in Trenton at that time; now there are four congregations. I was glad to have a little share in this expansion.
After serving there as a special pioneer for twenty years, with blessings too numerous to recount, my eyesight began to fail due to the development of cataracts; so in 1963 the Society gave me an assignment in my home territory, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
There have been a few problems over the years, but by my sticking close to Jehovah’s organization they soon melted away. My one cataract has been removed and the operation was successful. I am still offering myself willingly as long as this door of activity remains open to me. And, while putting Kingdom interests first, I have never lacked any of the necessities of life.
Jehovah’s provisions have been so wonderful all down through the years, and the encouraging letters I have received from the Society from time to time have been a great blessing too. My years of pioneering have been full of joy and blessings. In recent months I have had to conserve strength and so now devote most of my ministerial time to making back-calls and conducting home Bible studies. I am presently blessed with some good studies and find great joy in teaching these sheeplike ones God’s truth.
Now, at eighty-three years of age, I have enjoyed fifty-nine years of pioneering. How thankful I am that I offered myself willingly as a pioneer when a young woman and always put Kingdom interests first!
-
-
Questions From ReadersThe Watchtower—1967 | February 1
-
-
Questions From Readers
● Why, after pardoning Adonijah, did King Solomon have him put to death when he requested Abishag as his wife?—R. F., U.S.A.
In order to understand Solomon’s actions, first consider the background. When David was in his old age and apparently greatly weakened by his long, vigorous life, his servants chose the beautiful virgin Abishag to serve as his nurse and companion. (1 Ki. 1:1-4) Even though David “had no intercourse with her,” she was evidently viewed as being his wife or concubine. As such, according to ancient Oriental custom, she would become the property of his heir when David died.
The account concerning Abishag directly precedes the details of the abortive attempt to gain the crown by David’s oldest surviving son, Adonijah. It would seem to be so placed to shed light on Adonijah’s actions during the early part of Solomon’s reign. After ascending the throne, Solomon extended to would-be King Adonijah a conditional pardon. Later Adonijah cunningly persuaded Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba, to ask her son to give him Abishag as a wife. Solomon concluded that Adonijah’s request indicated a subtle effort by this usurper to strengthen his false claim to the throne of Israel, not simply a desire for a beautiful wife. The king reacted by revoking Adonijah’s pardon and ordering his death.—1 Ki. 2:13-25.
Hence, Solomon did not act out of wild or irresponsible jealousy, but in such a way as to protect his rightful position as the anointed king on “Jehovah’s throne.”—1 Chron. 29:23.
-