She was married to a man whose name meant “fool” in Hebrew. He was rude, harsh, selfish and quoting 1 Samuel 25:17, “a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.” The smartest decision Nabal ever made was to marry Abigail.
Have you met this lady? She was intelligent, discerning and oh so beautiful. The day in and day out with Nabal had taught her discretion and sharpened her wits. She was a diplomat – had to be. Survival required it. Probably more than once her badly behaved husband had cost Abigail and her family. Nabal’s dealings with David almost cost her life.
This smart cookie just leaps out of the page for me. I want to know more about her. One short chapter contains this heroine’s story. And, what a story it is.
was trustworthy. The servant immediately knew she was the one to speak with. This lady’s character was well known. I imagine her as a kind, gentle lady who made life bearable for a household who lived in sometimes intolerable circumstances.
thought ahead. The list of provisions she gathered for David and his six hundred is astounding. “two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared…and two hundred cakes of figs…” She was a capable mistress for her household. When I read this I am reminded that my family depends on me to not procrastinate. I need to think ahead and honor the commitments I have made.
showed respect for authority. How did Abigail know that David would be king? Had she heard of him and his valor? Did God stir her heart and give her this wisdom? The writer doesn’t tell us but, she knew and she bowed. David was itching for a fight. He had extended good will toward Nabal’s men and flocks with the hopes that good will would be returned. Nabal answered with contempt. Abigail answered with respect. She “hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground.”
Sometimes the rebel in us wants to refuse to honor those God has placed in authority over us. Before we give in to that feeling, that prickly hair on the back of the neck feeling, it will help to pause and think before we act. Paul says in the book of Romans that “…all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”
understood the importance of good timing. When Abigail returned from her meeting with David she wanted to speak with her husband. While she was saving Nabal’s life, he was holding a feast and had become drunk. She waited. She knew he needed to be sober to understand how his actions almost cost him his entire household. How many times have I rushed into a conversation when, had I waited for the right timing, the outcome would have been so much better? They are too numerous to count.
Timing is everything. In life, in comedy and in marriage.
In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And about ten days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.” (ESV)
I don’t know the exact words Abigail used but they had a devastating effect on Nabal. He never recovered. On hearing of his death David said, “Blessed be the Lord who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing.”
God used this fearless woman in mighty ways that day. She fought for her family in a way that honored God and won.
Joining with other writers
Suzie Eller – #livefree Thursday Jennifer Dukes Lee – #TellHisStory
Susan B. Mead – #DanceWithJesus Friday Barbie Swihart – The Weekend Brew
Kelly Balarie – #raralinkup
How many times have I rushed into a conversation when, had I waited for the right timing, the outcome would have been so much better?
She fought for her family in a way to honored God and won.
WOWOWOWOW! Love this message about Abigail. May it echo in my words, actions and life, I pray. THANK YOU, Carmen. Please do join the #DanceWithJesus linkup each week!
Susan, I too must work on my timing. Gosh, I just want to take care of the situation NOW! Enjoyed joining in girl. Look for my face again :)
You make me want to be just like Abigail when I grow up! Just awesome Carmen!
Oh Yolanda, me too! He’s still workin on me for sure! Thanks for visiting with me friend!
I’ve always loved the story of Abigail. Your lessons from this one story of her life are excellent and compelling. If I haven’t said it before, Carmen, I love the design of your blog. It is clean and beautiful and easy to navigate. Thank you for this encouraging post!
Thank you Sabra. You have encouraged me often. Mandy Roberson and Traci Little helped make my little web home beautiful. They were a God send.
For a number of years Abigail has been one of my heroes. What impacted me the most is that when she went out out to meet David, three times she urged him to do the right thing. Twice he rejected her appeal, but by her third attempt to persuade him, he agreed she was right and he did what she said. I had an Abigail in my life. She lovingly, gently pointed out that I was involved in something, saying that I really didn’t want to be doing that. Like David, I said, in effect, “Yes I do.” She waited a short while and came to me again, lovingly getting across her point that I really didn’t want to be doing that, and again my reply was, in effect, “Yes, I do.” She came to me a third time and by then I knew she told the truth, and I said “You are right.” And she helped me make a turn and go in the opposite direction. My own precious Abigail, a gift from God!
Linda that is a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing it with me. I’m glad you had an Abigail. You will be someone’s one day I’m sure. Blessings friend!
Carmen, this is such a good study on Abigail! You sum up important lessons for us here. Thanks so much for going in deep and sharing your insight. I’m going to share this on facebook. I want to be the kind of woman who influences my family’s future with my words and actions!
Carmen,
I just found your blog, and I am very glad I did! I found it through Suzie Eller’s Website.
Your lesson really blessed my day! I definitely believe that God wants women to be strong in Him in order to get through all the trials that we will surely encounter during
this earthly journey! I also have been put back together more than once. I know that all our trials are for a reason, and that God uses each one of them for His glory.
Thank you, Carmen, for sharing your heart with other women. I subscribed to your blogs and look forward to more lessons.
In Christ,
Ann
Hey Ann! Nice to meet you! Those of us who have been put back together have a story. I’m glad God uses cracked pots :) Thanks for making a space for me in your inbox. I am honored. Blessings to my new friend!
Thank you Betsy. That’s the kind of woman I want to be too. I’m so glad God used my take on Abigail’s story to minister to you and you will use it to minister to others. Blessings my friend.
I love the strength of women in the Bible. I love that you sought out Abigail to learn more about her and then shared it here with all of us. Thank you for this blessing today and for sharing it at The Weekend Brew.
Love the Weekend Brew Mary. You are doing a wonderful job of helping us encourage one another. Blessings friend!
Abigail was def a woman of honor. I pray the Lord works in my heart and life to make me half the woman that she was. Thank you for this biblical example to challenge and encourage me, Carmen. Blessed to connect with you via #DanceWithJesus today! :)
Abigail gives us a great example of wisdom in difficult circumstances. I’m so glad you visited today Tina!
I want to fight for God in a way that honors my family, too – and am still learning to 1) wait on God’s timing, and 2) act when He nudges me. God-timing – I am so glad He is patient with me as I learn it!
Ahh patience. Girl I need it too! My timing is not great sometimes :) Glad you stopped by! Blessings to you!
Hey Carmen … so good to meet you on this frigid winter morning! I’m your next door neighbor over at Barbie’s.
Your words are deep and meaningful. So many lessons Abigail’s taught us.
Wouldn’t you just love to be in her Bible Study?
Sabbath blessings to you, to yours …
I would love to meet Abigail. I hope to one day! Thanks for visiting me Linda!
Oh how many times I am on bended knee before the cross. I pray for strength that only HE can give. I ask that he keeps holding me in the palm of his hand…..Thank You for your inspiring words.
Me too Marianne. God gives us the power we need to be wise. Thanks for stopping by!
Great study of Abigail’s story, Carmen! Oh how I want to be a woman of wisdom who is level-headed and respected like her:) You have so much knowledge to share here. I enjoy reading your posts very much!
Thank you so much Kristine! I too want to learn from our girl Abigail. Her story is such an encouragement to women who don’t always have the best circumstances. Glad you stopped by!
Abigail was quite a woman, wasn’t she? Thank you for telling her story so beautifully!
I agree Ellen. I love her story. Glad you stopped by. Blessings my friend!
Hi Carmen,
I’m not sure if I’ve visited your blog before, but it is truly beautiful! Thank you for sharing the story of Abigail and the many lessons that we can learn from her example. I know that we have connected on Twitter recently, and I look forward to getting to know you :)
Blessings,
Kamea
Hey Kamea! Thanks for your kind words. Abigail has such a exciting story. I only hope I could keep my wits about me in similar circumstances. Good to meet you :)
Visiting from Live Free Thursday. Carmen, you sure nailed home some of Abigail’s nature and the importance of living our lives yielded to the Spirit of God. Your title also yields great truth ‘the best way to fight is to bend our knee’. Praying we become so accustomed to living this way that we become skilled in holding our peace so the Lord can fight our battles. Blessings.
Welcome Jeannie! I loved Abigail’s story from the first time I read it. Lots to learn from that girl. Thanks for stopping by! Blessings to ya!