His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite – 1 Samuel 25:3.

The commentary is very specific. Abigail was intelligent and beautiful. Nabal was surly and mean (1 Sam. 25:3). The contrast is striking for a couple, but that was the reality. Today, the commentary would become “Divorced on grounds of incompatibility.” That says a lot about how far we have come.

Here was a woman God attributed beauty to. I don’t think God referenced her physical appearance alone, for we hear more about her inner beauty later in the narrative.

Disaster from David and his men hung over Nabal’s household because of Nabal’s insensitive response to David. Who do you appeal to for a corrective measure at such a crucial time? Nabal’s servants knew the couple, and they chose Abigail over her “wicked” husband (14-17).

Sometimes, we think our subordinates can’t discern beyond our official responsibilities. They know more than we can imagine. They watch us from a distance while going about their daily responsibilities. It’s a privileged knowledge you’ll never know until it may be too late.

Abigail showed wisdom in her quick reaction to the crisis (18-19). She loaded more provisions than David may have asked for and set out to meet him. The dialogue that ensued was just phenomenal. It drips with heavenly wisdom, tact, and sensitivity.

Abigail didn’t mince words about her husband: “He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him” (25). David may have chuckled; but she had his attention. She reminded David about his God-given restraint from avenging himself with his own hands. The lady had mediation skills equaled only by Paul when he pleaded for Onesimus in his letter to Philemon. “May your enemies and all who are intent on harming my Lord be like Nabal” (26)!

 Now, anger, where is your strength. Revenge, where is your hold on David’s heart?

Discerning David’s positive demeanor now, Abigail presented her gift to him and his men. She asked for forgiveness for presuming that David was going be king of Israel. “When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord, every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant” (30-31). What a woman!

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me… Otherwise… if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would be alive by daybreak” (32-34). What else could David do but accept her gift and grant her request.

So, who said women are weak-willed and emotional wrecks in times of crisis? Who has questioned their ability to do what any man could do? May those who suspect the woman’s intelligence and godly insight bow their heads in shame before Abigail’s testimony! Such people do not know history and haven’t read their Bibles enough.

A woman submits to the headship of her own husband because God says so (Eph. 5:22-24). But make no mistake here, Mr. Man. You will meet your match if you ever pitched your arrogance against an emancipated woman in Christlike Abigail—respectful of authority, but strong and beautiful for God’s glory.

Ask Nabal.