| And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them. (1 Samuel 25:20) |
David commanded King Saul’s army and defeated the Philistines. He was married to Saul’s daughter Michal and he and Saul’s son Jonathan were friends. Despite David’s success as a military commander and his relationship with Saul’s children, Saul was jealous of David. He tried to kill him so David assembled 400 men and they went into the wilderness where he and his men oversaw vast swaths of land, and protected shepherds and their livestock from thieves.
Nabal was a rich landowner who had large herds of sheep, but he was also a pious drunk. At sheep shearing time, David and his men protected Nabal’s shepherds and their livestock. David expected to be compensated for the protection he provided. When his men went to Nabal, he insulted David by refusing to provide anything for the services David and his men provided. When David heard this, he vowed to kill Nabal and the men in his family.
Nabal’s wife Abigail heard about Nabal’s refusal and David’s plan to retaliate. Without consulting her husband, she went to David and pleaded with him to spare her husband and her family. Abigail used superior diplomatic skills. She told David he was entitled to be compensated for the security he provided her husband’s shepherds and flocks. By way of compensation, she brought food for David and his men. She asked him to reconsider his plan to kill Nabal while pointing out Saul had tried to kill David. She ended her plea by telling David God would one day make him king of Israel. Killing Nabal would be a blight on his reputation as a righteous man. David acknowledged the logic of Abigail’s appeal and praised God for sending her to him. When Abigail returned home, she found her husband feasting and drunk. She chose her own time to tell him she met with David. Ten days later Nabal died. Before returning to Israel David married Abigail.
Biblical Principles
• Abigail showed great wisdom in acting immediately to rectify her husband’s disregard for David’s service to him. (1 Samuel 25:18)
• She was willing to humble herself and apologize for her husband’s rejection of David’s request. (1 Samuel 25: 24)
• She showed David respect and appreciation when she brought food for his men. (1 Samuel 25: 27)
• She prophesied that David would become king of Israel. (1 Samuel 25: 30)
• She convinced David killing her husband would be politically unwise. (1 Samuel 25:31)
• David praised Abigail for her wisdom. (1 Samuel 25: 32-33)
For Women Today
Abigail was beautiful, and she stands out as a woman of faith and power. When she understood the potential peril her husband had created, she was not afraid to take matters into her own hands. By giving Abigail the knowledge, that David would become king of Israel, God used her to prevent David from attacking Nabal. God did not give us a spirit of fear. As women of God, we must be bold in our attempts to rectify wrong. Just as God directed Abigail when she met with David, He will direct us in all situations when we ask for His guidance. (Proverbs 1:5)
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)