1 Samuel 25:32-33

New International Version (NIV)

David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.

For Meditation

Her name is Abigail, and what a woman! What a picture of grace and wisdom! Her husband, Nabal, was wicked, arrogant, discourteous, contentious, rude, insensitive, and, as his name means, foolish (1 Sam. 25:25). What a contrast in character! How she got herself entangled in such a difficult marriage, only God knows. Like many women worldwide, trapped and praying for a way out, God heard her silent cry and honored her endurance.

God’s pathway to freedom comes in mysterious ways. Nabal rudely denies David a simple request, and the giant killer is in hot pursuit of Nabal and his household (10-13). Graciously, Abigail is accessible to her servants. One of them runs to her with a report of the looming danger, and she deliberately goes into action (14). Wasting no time and sparing no food in her storeroom, she is on her way to meet David to appease him (18).  

With poise, courtesy, eloquence, tact, logic, and sincerity supported by the evidence of her liberality, Abigail sweeps David off his feet (28-30). Then, with the skill and eloquence of a defense attorney, Abigail nails it.

“Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord, your God, will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. 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” (28-31).

How could David push her aside after such an appealing closing statement? Can anybody say “No” to this woman of grace and wisdom? 

“May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands… if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak” (33-34).

Abigail comes home, observes her feasting husband, oblivious of her valley interception, and quietly went to sleep. I am lost for words of commendation to you, my dear female reader.

Ten days later, God strikes foolish Nabal dead. News travels fast. David hears about it and sends his proposal to expecting Abigail, who more than willingly accepts it. I call it “Delivered from tyranny into royalty!”

I pray that all boastful and abusive men, to their shame, will know the treasure they bury in the sand when they look down on their wives and repent. And I pray for all women to realize the power of godliness and genuine beauty that conquers kings (1 Pt. 3:1-6).