The Incredible, Powerful, Inspiring, & Engaging Story of Women in the Bible by Jumoke Akinniranye

Author:Jumoke Akinniranye [Akinniranye, Jumoke]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Spiffing Covers
Published: 2016-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

Abigail

Clothe With Humility & Good Judgement

“And 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 keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my hand.”’

(1 Samuel 25: 32-33)

Abigail made her entrance into the pages of Scripture shortly after the death of Samuel, and while David was running from King Saul, who was seeking to take his life and thus hinder the call of God on him as the next king over the nation of Israel. During this period David took refuge in the desert of Maon. There was a man named Nabal who lived in Moan. He was a very wealthy man who had a wife called Abigail. Abigail was intelligent and beautiful, but her husband Nabal was surly and mean in all his dealings. A situation arose between David’s and Nabal’s men that unveiled and thrust Abigail into the fullness of God’s purpose for her life.

While David was hiding in the desert of Maon, his men met Nabal’s shepherd and intentionally protected Nabal’s men from any attacks in the desert, whilst treating them as if they were David’s own men. Shortly after this, David heard that Nabal was shearing sheep nearby, and he decided to send some men to him to ask for food, informing him how David’s men had treated his men well whilst out in the desert. This occurred during a festive period, so David assumed that Nabal would be in good spirits and therefore willing to return the favour. Nabal, however, responded with meanness towards David’s men, asking them, ”Who is this David that I should take my bread, water, and meat, and give them to his men?” (1 Samuel 25:11). David’s men were very disappointed at his response. For that matter, so were Nabal’s own men, who had received support from David’s men in the desert.

While David’s men journeyed back to inform their leader of the response, one of Nabal’s men who had witnessed all that had transpired, approached Abigail, Nabal’s wife, to report the incident. He told her that her husband had hurled insults at David’s men in response to David’s request for help. He also confirmed that David’s men had been excellent, treating them kindly while they were out in the desert shepherding the flocks. It is evident in this story that Nabal’s servant was not only aware of his meanness, but also of the good judgment of his wife. He knew that if he approached her, she would swiftly deal with the matter. On this occasion, this servant was not just informing Abigail about what had happened, but requesting that she intervene quickly to avert the danger that now loomed over their household. During his dialogue we realise that this servant had probably served their family for an extended period – long enough to know, and to lament the fact, that Nabal was a wicked man whom no one could reason with.

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