Abigail - a wise woman

1 Samuel 25

No, I'm not always going to give you the scripture that I'm working through in every entry. This is almost an entire chapter and I think you should read it for yourself.

I love Abigail! If I have a daughter, I will give her this name. Talk about a wise woman. To understand her story, you have to consider her husband. Nabal, which means fool, lived up to that meaning. He was foolish in his decisions, and in his behavior. In this story, he disregarded the protection of David. David and his army had been camped near Nabal's land. Nabal's herds and shepherds were protected and well cared for by David's men. But when David sent some men to Nabal to ask for provisions, Nabal denied them. In fact, he acted as though he didn't even know who David was. He accused his men of being runaway servants. What was he thinking!? When word came back to David, he was furious. He and 400 of his men "strapped on their swords" and went out to kill Nabal and all who were with him. Revenge was coming. How dare he act this way after all David had done for him. Nabal's wealth had flourished with David in the area. And this is the thanks he gets! Stupid, stupid foolish man! He's living up to his name!

But then his wife, Abigail, enters the picture. Poor girl, this marriage was probably arranged. Nabal chosen for her by her parents. She has had to endure his foolish behavior for years. This is probably why she gained the wisdom that she has. Abigail has probably defused more than one hairy situation caused by her husband's foolishness. She is slow to speak and diplomatic. She knows how important David is to not only the region, but the nation as well. She knows that he has God's spirit on him.

When she hears what has happened, she jumps into action. She gives orders to prepare food to servants who probably know this routine well. She sets out to head off David and intercede for her family. If her husband is too foolish to do what's right, then she will do it for him.

When she mets David, she falls to the ground and begs for mercy. She pleads with him to not take revenge on her husband and household. She explains her husband's foolishness and asks for forgiveness. And David relents. WHEW! Abigail presents David and his men with food and drink. David's anger in subdued. He remembers that revenge is the Lord's, and that God will take care of Nabal. He thanks Abigail for preventing him from sinning out of anger.

Abigail returns home to find her husband throwing a wild party, completely unaware of what almost happened to him and his family. He is drunk and foolishly happy. Abigail decides to wait until morning to tell him what happened. When she does... Nabal has a heart attack from the shock and dies 10 days later. Revenge is the Lord's!

When word reaches David. He rejoices in that the Lord took revenge for him, and in that Nabal paid for his foolishness. He then sends word to Abigail, asking her to be his wife. He was impressed by her. She is the only wife that he proposes to in this way. She was given a choice, and again showed wisdom in accepting him.

We recognize Abigail as a wise woman because of the actions she took to protect her family. Despite her husband's foolish behavior, she knew what was right, and did it.

My granpa considered "fool" to be the worst name anyone could be called. It was the highest insult. Because of this, the term "fool" is only reserved for serious situation's and for very special people. In my family it is rarely used. We may refer to actions as foolish, but rarely a person as a fool.

Abigail was wise, probably beyond her years. She knew her husband's faults and knew what she needed to do to protect herself and her family from the recourse of his actions. Today we not only consider this wise, but we also call it tact, social savvy, or responsibility. Whatever you call it, This is a woman to model yourself after. If we could all have the wisdom of Abigail, conflicts would either not happen or would be quickly and peaceably resolved. Strive for wisdom in tough situations. think before you speak or act.

(Oh Lord! give me the wisdom of Abigail. Help me walk through situations carefully and deal with foolish people tactfully.)