The Abigail Example (1 Samuel 25)

One of the interesting attributes of Abigail was her respect. As at the time Abigail met David in 1 Samuel 25:23, it says "When Abigail saw David, she quickly dismounted and threw herself on the ground.

Verse 24 "at David's feet, and said to him, Please, sir, listen to me! Let me take the blame" (Good News Bible).

The fault was that of her husband NABAL, but she took the blame for her husband. 

How many married women will do this today?

How many wives can do this for their husband?

How many wives can still remain respectful to their husband even when he isn't acting as the head of the family?

Another striking character of Abigail was that, she knew the way to David's heart.

Verse 21-22 of the same 1 Samuel 25 says "David had been thinking, *Why did I ever protect that fellow's property out here in the wilderness? Not a thing that belonged to him was stolen, and this is how he pays me back for the help I gave him! May God strike me dead if I don't kill every last one of those men before morning*" (Good News Bible).

Verse 23 was where Abigail met David. Note as at this chapter and verse, David wasn't king yet.

Then Verse 32-33 goes on to say "David said to her, *Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you today to meet me! Thank God for your good sense and for what you have done today in keeping me from the crime of murder and from taking my own" (Good News Bible).

Even David himself acknowledge this. Abigail words of wisdom prick straight into the heart of David, that he was marveled at the way this woman (Abigail) had settled everything. David had no option  than  to forgive NABAL her husband.

Another interesting character to learn from Abigail was that she knew how to protect her home, despite her husband's wickedness.

Verse 14 says "One of Nabal's servants said to Nabal's wife, Abigail, *Have you heard? David sent some messengers from the wilderness with greetings for our master, but he insulted them.

Verse 18 says "Abigail quickly gathered two hundred loaves of bread, two leather bags full of wine, five toasted sheep, two bushels of roasted grain, a hundred bunches of raisins, and two hundred cakes of dried figs and loaded them on donkeys" (Good News Bible).

This shows that Abigail quickly realized the fault of her husband, and quickly sort a solution by going to meet David personally before David got to the house (Nabal's house).

Note she didn't take sides, saying "it's her husband fault, and so it doesn't concern her".

See wives, whatever happens to your husband whether you like it or not, will definitely affect you. So it is better you resolve whatever wants to scatter your home as fast as possible.

Still, another interesting character of Abigail was that she had a mutual closeness to her servants.

Didn't it surprise why her servants were able to confront her with what happened? Or what her husband Nabal has done?

Unlike so many master, you'll see how they maltreat their servants, in fact most servants can't talk where their Masters are. But this was a different case for Abigail.

Verse 14 made it clear  "One of Nabal's servants said to Nabal's wife Abigail, *Have you heard? David sent some messengers from the wilderness with greetings for our master, but he insulted them".

Verse 17 makes another thing clear, "Please think this over and decide what to do. This could be disastrous for our master and all his family. He is so mean that he won't listen to anybody" (Good News Bible).

This verse made something clear, the servants thought of not only themselves, but that of their wicked master (Nabal), his wife (Abigail) and his family. Come to think of it, if the servants didn't approach Abigail about the issue that happened, (because she (Abigail) wasn't available at that time) what would have happened?

They were fully aware of their Masters (Nabal's) wickedness and yet they didn't allow him to perish that way, though he still died later towards the ending of 1 Samuel 25.

Now the question is, how many servants will still want to protect the live of their master who maltreats them?

Or see an opportunity that could claim the life of their master and still allow him go free?

And also the servant said "Please think this over and decide what to do". This shows she could trust what her servants told her.

You know this Abigail example actually teaches us believers a lot of things that if we open her hearts to, can actually re sharpen our life.

And verse 38 makes us understand that David, still went on to marry Abigail  after her husband died. "Some ten days later the LORD struck Nabal and he died.

Verse 39 "When David heard that Nabal had died, he said, *Praise the LORD! He had taken revenge on Nabal for insulting me and has kept me his servant from doing wrong. The LORD had punished Nabal for his evil.* Then David sent a proposal for marriage to Abigail.

Verse 40 says "His servants went to her at Carmel and said to her, *David sent js to take you to him to be his wife*

Verse 42 "She rose quickly and mounted her donkey. Accompanied by her five maids, she went with David's servants and became his wife" (Good News Bible).

So it pays to be a woman of virtue, lady or girl. Your virtue shouldn't only count when you're in marriage!!!! No.