1 Samuel 25:31

New International Version (NIV)

And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”

For Meditation

One tragedy of life is the tendency of some people to conceal their heartache and torment instead of crying for help. These people dress sharply every day and step out in style. They admire their looks and congratulate themselves on their success. People greet them with respect in their neighborhoods and at work, where they command authority. Yet, deep down in their hearts, they are in torment. There is a deep gulf of troubles no one sees. It is a carefully concealed and guarded secret, and they wear the mask very well. Meanwhile, they secretly bleed in despair.

They are your favorite people: politicians, artists, stars, athletes, journalists, intellectuals, managers, and executives. Sit through the trial of Diddy Combs and listen to the stories of the multiple witnesses, and you can feel the horror, humiliation, and pain in their eyes. Even your spouse, despite your seemingly perfect marriage, might be going through such agony. Look into their eyes. You will sense their ignored pain. 

Nabal could have heard Abigail’s anguished cry with a bit of attention and care. But how could he? He was also a victim of the same malady. The man had everything and took delight in his estate. He was crude and mean in all his dealings, a scoundrel and a fool, as his name suggested, and he drank his sorrows away (1 Sam. 25:3, 25, 36). How such a man could win the hand of a woman of such beauty and intelligence amazes me. But it shows the power of wealth and the tragedy of arranged marriages in that culture, which may have ensnared Abigail. No one could have predicted the yearning and struggle in Abigail’s soul to escape the marriage, considering the affluence and likely comforts of their home, until the day of her intervention and plea to David on her family’s behalf (23-31).

Abigail acted with tact and discernment. She saw an opportunity, knew what to do, and seized the moment. Before the future king, she asked for help to escape her difficult marriage.

“When the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant” (31).

The anguished cry of every sinner and the oppressed! We heard it from the crucified criminal by Jesus’ side on the cross (Luke 23:42), the woman at the well in Sychar (John 4:15-18), and the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet at Simon the Pharisee’s house (Luke 7:37-38).

Are you like them, or is your name Abigail?  Can you discern the times you live in and seize the opportunity for an eternal blessing in Christ Jesus (1 Chron. 12:32)? He is the Son of David, to whom you can bring your pain and sorrow for relief. And Yes! He will remember to call you into His kingdom just as David remembered Abigail after the Lord struck Nabal down (1 Sam. 25:39-42).

Pray with Me

Lord, you are our wisdom and deliverer. We look to you for help in every situation. Let your grace attend us for your glory and praise, Christ our Lord, amen.