1 Samuel 25
Scripture
1 Samuel 25:32-33
David said to 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.
Observation
David sends messengers to Nabal, whose flocks and shepherds David and his men have been protecting, to ask for support and supplies. Nabal, whose name means “fool”, rebuffs the messengers and insults David. David, in his anger, prepares to seek revenge on Nabal. Only the intercession of Nabal’s wife Abigail saves David from sinning by avenging himself (Romans 12:19) and Nabal from suffering the wrath of David. When Nabal hears how close to death he had been, he has a stroke and dies days later; David then takes Abigail to be his wife.
Understanding
David showed great humility and wisdom in heeding the advice of Abigail. This was especially noteworthy in view of the status of women in the OT culture. In David’s time, women were second class citizens, just one step above a piece of property to be owned. Unmarried women were not allowed to leave the home of their father without permission. Married women were not allowed to leave the home of their husband, without permission. They were normally restricted to roles of little or no authority. They could not testify in court. They could not appear in public venues. They were not allowed to talk to strangers. They had to be doubly veiled when they left their homes and could be summarily divorced and left destitute over the slightest infraction. In fact, there was a prayer recited by men of this age that said, “Thank you, God, that I’m not a dog, a gentile or a woman.” For David to entertain, let alone follow, the counsel of a woman showed that he understood that God could deliver his truth in various ways and voices. He did not let the messenger invalidate the message.
Life Application
I am thankful for the Abigail’s in my life – Robin, Cindee, Sheila, DeLaine, and Charleen (to name just a few) – godly women through whom God so often delivers wise counsel, instruction and correction. Of course, I am most thankful for my “Annie-gail”; the wisest, most godly woman I know. Because of her discernment, sensitivity, and compassion she has been used by God countless times to keep my hands free of innocent blood. Where would I be without her? ((shudder)).