Story of Abigail

Abigail's Story

Introduction

Abigail was married to Nabal, a very wealthy man who owned property at Carmel. Nabal was a Calebite, and was surly and mean in his dealings. Previously David and his men had protected the holdings of Nabal from the Philistines. David was in the desert and sent some of his young men with a greeting for Nabal. Nabal treated the men poorly and sent them away. Abigail heard of this from the servants and took gifts to David before he reached her home. Abigail prevented David from killing Nabal, and left God's justice to God. Both David and Abigail praised God for working in their lives to prevent a catastrophe. When Nabal heard what Abigail had done for him, his heart failed, and he died. David praised God, and asked Abigail to become his wife. Abigail gladly went to David and married him.
I Samuel 25:1-42 (NIV 1984)

Beautiful

Abigail was a beautiful woman. In contrast, her husband was mean and surly. (v. 3)

Intelligent

With a thousand goats and three thousand sheep the household must have been large, and Abigail would have been responsible for all the servants and taking care of the crew to shear the sheep. Running the household would have been her responsibility, and we are told that she is intelligent (v. 3) and she acts wisely by going to David with gifts of hospitality (v. 18). She did this to protect David's reputation, and her husband's life.

Helpmate

Abigail listens to the servants, and works to preserve Nabal's life and lands, even though he is wicked (v 17, 18). Also she does not confront Nabal while he is drunk, or in the presence of his servants or workers (v. 37).

Humble

Abigail defers to David, and his servants, as God's chosen (v. 25, 41). Abigail serves David as the chosen of God (v. 31). She does tell Nabal of her meeting with David, after it is completed, and his life is not in danger from David (v. 37).

Wise

Abigail shows Godly wisdom in going to David without confronting Nabal (v. 19). Her wisdom is also evident in her explanations: she took the blame (v. 24), her husband is in folly (v. 25), the Lord will fight David's battles, so David does not need to avenge himself (vs. 26-31). The story has many sides, and Abigail presents David with his own side of the story, that he is being pursued by Saul, and God will deal with David's enemies (v. 29). She leaves Nabal in God's hands, and only tells Nabal what she has done when he is sober, and they are alone (v. 37).

Beloved

After Nabal is struck down by God, Abigail marries David (v. 42). She is present when David is anointed king (II Samuel 2:2-4). Abigail travels with David while he conquers the neighboring tribes (I Samuel 27:3). Later while she is traveling with David, she is captured by the enemy (I Samuel 30:3-5). David is greatly distressed and pursues the raiding party, as directed by God (I Samuel 30:8). David recovered his wives, everyone, and everything which had been stolen (I Samuel 30:18).

Lesson

As a wife I am to support my husband, whether he acts in a loving manner, or not. My commitment in marriage is to God, not my husband.