Abigail

 Wisdom from a Stranger

[Abigail] was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was surly and mean in his dealings. 1 Samuel 25:3

God had chosen David as the next king of Israel, but for many years David lived as a fugitive because King Saul wanted to kill him. During those years, David and those loyal to him traveled the countryside, seeking refuge and provisions wherever they could. Some Israelites were eager to help David, the famous giant-killer who had won so many battles. Others, including a wealthy landowner named Nabal, considered him a dangerous traitor who deserved death.

First Samuel 25:3 describes Nabal as “surly and mean,” but his wife, Abigail, was “ intelligent and beautiful.” When Nabal refused to treat David and his men with kindness, Abigail stepped in to prevent David from killing innocent people and doing irreparable damage to his reputation (v. 34).

How did one unarmed woman stop the slaughter?

First, she “acted quickly” and prepared food and wine for David and his men (25:18). She then hurried to meet David before his entourage arrived on Nabal’s property. When she approached him, she got off her donkey and bowed before him—honoring him as the future king of Israel. She also diffused his anger by reminding him that as the God-ordained heir to the throne, he shouldn’t shed the innocent blood of all Nabal’s workers (v. 26). Finally, she spoke prophetically, affirming that God would indeed fulfill “every good thing he promised” to David (vv. 28–31).

David immediately recognized that God had sent 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” (25:32–33).

God often uses other people as his messengers—sometimes a friend or relative, sometimes a stranger. Because Abigail spoke the truth, she prevented David from making a costly mistake. Her wisdom and humility also prompted David to admit his foolishness and discard plans that would have dishonored God and hurt innocent people.

Who are the Abigails God has placed in your life? And are you willing to be an Abigail for someone who needs to hear the truth?

Dig Deeper

Read 1 Samuel 25. What does Abigail’s interaction with David in verses 24–31 teach us about resolving conflict in a godly manner?

Read Proverbs 27:5–6, 9. How do Abigail’s actions demonstrate the truth of these proverbs?

What counsel about resolving conflict is given in 1 Peter 3:8–12? How does the story of Abigail, Nabal, and David illustrate both the wisdom of following this counsel and the folly of ignoring it?

Denise K. Loock

This devotion is part of our series on Not-As-Famous Men and Women of the Bible.