A
Heroine of the Bible: Abigail, 1 Samuel 25
My
small group just recently completed a study on 1 Samuel. During the course of this study I was struck
with the humility Abigail demonstrated in 1 Samuel 25. Before we discuss the
humility exhibited by Abigail I will provide some background for those not familiar
with first Samuel.
1
Samuel is a narrative of the transition from the period of Judges in Israel to
Kings. Samuel was the last of the Judges
and a Prophet. The narrative documents
the rise of Saul as Israel’s first King, his falling into disfavor with God and
the surprising selection of a young shepherd boy
named David to eventually succeed him as King.
The most famous story in first
Samuel can be found in1 Samuel 17
which tells how David, armed only with a
sling shot and 5 stones, killed Goliath, a giant Philistine warrior. This
accomplishment brings young David great acclaim and fame.
There are three major characters in
1 Samuel 25. They are David, the future
King, Nabal, a wealthy man known for his evil & wicked nature and Nabal’s
wife, Abigail. Abigail is an
intelligent yet humble woman.
While Nabal’s shepherds were tending
his flock, David’s men protected them and treated them fairly. When David learned that Nabal was shearing
his sheep he asked his men to approach him politely and in David’s name ask for
what Nabal thought would be fair compensation.
David’s men went and did as they were asked and when they reached Nabal
said “Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace
be to all that you have. I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds
have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the
time they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you.
Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day.
Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.”
Instead of being grateful to David
and his men, Nabal responded by hurling insults at them. When David heard this he and four hundred of
his men took up swords with the intent of killing Nabal and his men.
One of Nabal’s servants fearing
David’s reaction told Abigail what had transpired. She immediately realized their fate if she
did not act quickly.
She took two hundred loaves and two
skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain
and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them
on donkeys and headed to meet David. When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down
from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground.
She fell at his feet took
responsibility, presented the offering and asked forgiveness.
David was gracious. He accepted the offering and did not kill
Nabal and his men.
Here we see a heroine. Abigail took responsibility for something she
did not do, made an offering and sought forgiveness. She put others above herself. Because of her actions the lives of many
innocent were saved. Shortly, thereafter Nabal died.
