Is There a Real Life Historical Case Like This?
1) Direct answer
Yes. The Bible gives real historical cases that show exactly this principle.
2) Scriptural explanation
- Michal and David: Michal was David’s lawful wife. Saul later gave her to another man (Paltiel) while David still lived (1 Samuel 18:27; 25:44). When David demanded her, she was returned to him and the second union ended (2 Samuel 3:14–16). This shows the first marriage remained binding, and the later union had to cease.
- Sarah and Abimelech: Sarah was taken into Abimelech’s house under a mistaken assumption, but God said, “She is a man’s wife… restore the man his wife” (Genesis 20:2–7). Even in ignorance, God upheld the first covenant.
- Herod and Herodias: John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife” (Mark 6:17–18). While the first husband lived, the second relationship was condemned as unlawful.
- The rule stated: “If, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress… but if her husband be dead, she is free” (Romans 7:2–3).
3) Simple clarifying logic
Now notice: in every case, the living first covenant governed the outcome. Mistake, time, or a second union did not dissolve it. Restoration to the original covenant—or separation from the unlawful union—was required.
4) Short reinforcing statement
You see, the Bible’s history and its doctrine match: the first bond stands while he lives.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
A Court Trial
64-0412 §59
Listen, we haven't got much time left---just for the prayer line. Remember---I'm going to close the case and just leave it like this---if... You can believe any witnesses you want to, but remember, your mind is your jury. In every case there has to be a jury. And then the way you act hereafter will pronounce your verdict. Now we're going to do just what the Bible said: lay hands upon the sick and they shall recover---that is, the believers. "These signs shall follow them that believe." Now. If you believe it... We...
Look
63-0428 §105
Story I heard a few days ago... In closing I might say this: there's a boy who'd done a murder. He done something wrong. Well, I was called on the case the other day you know, over here in Texas. I got a little certificate from them the other day---"saving a life," it said. Went over there for that little Irish ... that man that'd taken the picture of the angel of the Lord, who... That night over there at Houston had criticized me and said everything in the world about me. Throwed his arms around me and hugged me,...
Experiences
48-0302 §41
Now, and--and then it seemed like something strange happened. It seemed like that my spirit, or my being, or something, moved out. And I remember walking over and laying my hands on the stomach of that young girl. And I said, "THUS SAITH THE LORD, sister, you're going to get well." And I begin to pray. And when I begin to pray, I heard something say, a little voice say, "Praise the Lord." And that was her. She'd been crying day and night with that affliction. And when I noticed, her hand was back normal, her foot w...
Life story
53-1108A §10
There's something about childhood, and the adolescent age, that there's nothing else through life will ever take its place. Remember how our mothers used to catch us, and dad, when we'd do wrong--give us a little spanking? Oh, that was horrible. But, you know, many of you this afternoon, along with myself, I would just give anything that I could think of if my daddy was on this earth to give me a spanking. He can't be no more, though, my father has gone on, and many of you the same way. There's nothing like the chi...
Life Story
50-0200 §54
I met a Brother George DeArk there. He said, "Oh, Brother Billy (put his arms around me.)," he said, "looks like things are close." He said, "Brother Bill, if I never meet you again, I'll meet you in the morning." That was the last time I seen him in life. That's right. He left a little afterward. And I said, "Where's Hope?" Said, "I don't know." And I run over there, and I met a--one of the officers of the government. I said, "Sir, what become of the hospital?" Said, "All washed through there." I said, "Did all--d...