One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal’s wife “… Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.”

1 Samuel 25:14, 17

For Meditation

“One of the servants told Abigail…”

I find that interesting. It tells a lot about Abigail, the “intelligent and beautiful” wife of Nabal (1 Sam. 25:3). She is not just beautiful on the outside. Her heart comes out beautifully in her accessibility to her servants. Not only that. It reveals the way Abigail treated her domestic workers. At a time when cruelty to domestic workers is rising around the world, her example is worthy of careful observation.

The Bible says that Nabal was very rich. “He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep” at Carmel. That translates into a wealthy home in those days. He had male and female domestic workers. Judging by his character – “surly and mean in his dealings” – one can safely project the working conditions of his home as difficult and slavish. No wonder one of his workers characterized him as, “such a wicked man that no one can talk to” (17). But there was a bright light on the other side of the Nabal household.

His wife, Abigail, was open and approachable to her servants, a characteristic that saved her entire household from David’s fury. At a critical time when Nabal should have been the go-to man, his servants rather ran to the lady of the home because of her gracious character and beautiful heart. What a woman! Much like the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31:15

One lesson I glean from this story is that people observe the way we live, especially, those in our homes, more than we think. Our lifestyle speaks into people’s lives much more than our words. The harsh treatment around the home, the lethal outbursts, the poor financial remuneration, the inhuman hygienic conditions and long working hours etc. (Eph. 6:9; Col. 4:1) speak volumes about our claim to Christ.

How then can they come to us with their concerns? How can they trust us with their pain and other intimate situations? Will they be open to our witness about Jesus? Will they be willing to report an impending danger to us like that servant did to Abigail or leave us to rot in it?

Nabal’s servants knew him. They also knew Abigail; and it made all the difference on the day David’s men visited their house.

How about you?