S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Abigail was one of David's wives. Her story is found in 1 Samuel 25. At the beginning of the story, Abigail is the wife of a wealthy man named Nabal who lived in a town called Maon in the wildernes...

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August 19 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Take a peek at H. Wilmington’s awesome, alliterated outline of the passage, which I have humbly built upon: 

David and Abigail (1 Sam. 25:14-44), a wise woman and a kind king.

1. The wise woman (1 Sam. 25:14-35): Nabal's servants tell his wife, Abigail, about the incident and warn her that David is coming. Abigail made haste when she saw danger near (1 Sam. 25:18, 34). Then she came direct to David himself (1 Sam 25:20), prostrated herself before David in humility (1 Sm. 25:23-24), asked forgiveness from David for her trespass (1 Sm. 25:28).

a. Her appeal to David (1 Sam. 25:14-31): Abigail prepares a large supply of food and rides out to meet David, pleading with him not to kill her husband.

David is the other outstanding character in the record. He it was who fought the battles of the Lord, and evil had not been found in him all his days (2 Sam. 25:28). He could match Abigail’s beauty, for it was said of him that he was “ruddy...of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to” (1 Samuel 16:12). When Abigail and David became one they must have been a handsome pair to look upon! Then, in addition to being most musical, David was equal with Abigail in wisdom and piety for he was “prudent in matters,...and the Lord [was] with him” (1 Samuel 16:18). —Lockyer

b. Her acceptance by David (1 Sam 25:32-35): David thanks God for sending Abigail to him and agrees not to harm Nabal. Abigail had often to make amends for the infuriated outbursts of her husband. Neighbors and friends knew her drunken sot of a husband only too well, but patiently she would pour oil on troubled waters, and when she humbly approached with a large peace offering, her calmness soothed David’s anger and gave her the position of advantage. For her peace-making mission she received the king’s benediction (1 Sam. 25:33). Her wisdom is seen in that she did not attempt to check David’s turbulent feelings by argument, but won him by wise, kind words. Possessing heavenly intelligence, self-control, common sense, and vision, she exercised boundless influence over a great man and marked herself out as a truly great woman. After Abigail’s successful, persuasive entreaty for the life of her worthless husband, the rest of her story reads like a fairy tale. She returned to her wicked partner to take up her hard and bitter life again. —Lockyer

2. The widowed woman (1 Sam. 25:36-38): After a night of heavy drinking, Nabal is told by Abigail about the terrible danger he had been in; he suffers a stroke. Ten days later the Lord strikes him and he dies.

She had taken him for better or for worse, and life for her was worse than the worst. Wretched though her life was, and spurned, insulted and beaten as she may have been during Nabal’s drinking bouts, she clung to the man to whom she had sworn to be faithful. Abigail manifested a love stronger than death. But the hour of deliverance came ten days after her return home, when by a divine stroke, Nabal’s worthless life ended. When David hearkened to the plea of Abigail and accepted her person, he rejoiced over being kept back by her counsel from taking into his own hands God’s prerogative of justice (1 Samuel 25:32-33; Romans 12:19). —Lockyer

3. The wedded woman (1 Sam. 25:39-44): Following Nabal's death, David asks Abigail to become his wife, and she accepts. “After Nabal’s death, David ‘communed with Abigail’ (1 Samuel 25:39 KJV)—a technical expression for asking one’s hand in marriage (Song of Solomon 8:8)—and took her as his wife. Married to Israel’s most illustrious king, Abigail entered upon a happier career.” —Lockyer

David had been so impressed with Abigail that he married her. —Stephen M. Miller

We can learn from Abigail’s boldness in speaking the truth. Perhaps God is pressing on your heart the need to speak His truth to someone today. As you pray, ask Him for His guidance and wisdom. —Today in the Word

March 19 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report