Abigail: A Blessing from God

"When God accepts a sinner, He is, in fact, only accepting Christ. He looks into the sinner's eyes, and He sees His own dear Son's image there, and He takes him in."  - Charles Spurgeon

During my own personal bible study, I like to pay particularly close attention to characters who, although, are not necessarily big-name players, still play an important part in God's grand plan.

Whats more, you'll find that many of these characters are women. And it just so happens that one of these amazing women is the subject of my message this week. Her name: Abigail.

We first encounter Abigail in 1 Samuel 25. She's the wife Nabal, a wealthy man who isn't a very nice guy, to say the least. While Abigail herself is intelligent and beautiful, he was rough and mean (1 Samuel 25:3).

Nabal was a Calebite, a descendant of Caleb, a Kenizzite, who followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly (Joshua 14:14). Unfortunately, he wasn't even close to inheriting Caleb's values. Nabal was a disgrace to his family.

I wish we had more time to get into a deeper discussion of the story, but I'll try to hit some of the more important points. During this time, David and his army had been on the run trying to avoid Saul who was trying to kill him.

Of course, an army needs supplies to survive. And, they were just barely getting by. However, before I continue, there's a backstory that needs to be brought forth which I hope will help all of this make sense.

At one point in time, prior to this during David's wanderings, he and his men had camped with Nabal's shepherds. They provided them with protection from wandering Arabs, while not asking or seeking anything in return.

So, while David and his men were out in the wilderness when he heard that Nabal was shearing his flocks of sheep. Remembering his own good treatment of Nabal's shepherds and flocks, he figured that Nabal would return the favor.

So he sent some men to Nabal to ask for some well-need supplies in return for the favor David had shown towards his shepherds (1 Samuel 25:4-8). What happens next is surprising, but considering Nabal's personality, it shouldn't have been (1 Samuel 25:9-11).

After Nabal bluntly turned down his petition for supplies, David was livid. He was ready to go over to Nabal and forcibly take whatever he needed himself ( 1 Samuel 25 9:14). But, here's where Abigail steps in to help.

One of the young shepherds told her about David's act of kindness to them out in the fields, and how terribly Nabal treated David's men who came in peace to ask for supplies (1 Samuel 9: 14-17).

Abigail takes control of the dangerous situation, and going around Nabal's back without his knowledge, rounded up supplies and sets out to meet David before he arrives with his men (1 Samuel 9:17-20).

Although David was understandably angry, he wasn't totally closed off to reason. Abigail offered David supplies then pleaded with him to show mercy to her husband Nabal (1 Samuel 9:23-25). In doing so, she demonstrated herself as a righteous and caring woman.

David had no reason to spare her life, he was ready to spill blood in return for Nabal's behavior towards his men. But, by placing her own life in danger, she intercedes for her husband's foolish actions (1 Samuel 9:25).

There is a similarity here between Abigail's own selfless intercession on behalf of her husband, and Christ's offer of Himself as a sacrifice to save sinners from the aftereffects of their own actions. In fact, His intercession for us still continues (Hebrews 7:25).

Abigail’s offering of herself as an atoning sacrifice saves the day. David thanks Abigail for restraining him and repents of his own foolish and hasty decision to slaughter Nabal’s household (1 Samuel 25:32–34).

David views Abigail’s coming to him as a blessing from God, and sends her home in peace (1 Samuel 9:35). As you might have guessed, in the end Nabal pays a big price for his sinful behavior and life (1 Samuel 25:36-38).

Abigail, on the other hand, eventually becomes David's wife (1 Samuel 25:39-42). This story shows us a definite contrast that we can learn from. First, we see the tender and repentant heart of David towards her.

Then, that David is exempted from the fallout of the sin he had planned, while Nabal dies in his sin. Sadly, his sin cost him everything he had, including his wealth, his wife, and even his life. Abigail's influence on David saved her house from a really bad situation that was instigated by the stupidity and recklessness of her husband.

Thus, we should be mindful and alert to the deceitfulness of riches and other things that harden our hearts so that we drown in destruction and condemnation. Trust instead in the living God, and be stewards of the good things that God has blessed you with. "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2).

In closing, Abigail leaves us with a delicate, but powerful illustration of the ultimate Savior. He is the Source of beauty and wisdom, and He wants more than anything to have a perpetual, loving, relationship with you and I.

Scripture: Isaiah 53:6; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Peter 3:18;

Prayer: Dear Lord, may You open us up to Your Spirit living within us, that we may live fully each and every day of our lives.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey