As promised we’re continuing our journey through inspiring stories from some female figures of the bible. Today, we are going through a bible story found in 1 Samuel 25, focusing on a woman that the bible attributes the qualities of beauty and brains.

The story of Nabal and Abigail in the bible shows a couple with two completely different characters. Nabal is described as harsh, unfeeling, and foolish while Abigail is beautiful and intelligent. Nabal’s cruel character is on full display when he insults David, who was then a fugitive. Enraged, David vows to destroy Nabal and his entire household. But his wife, Abigail saves him and every man in his household.

While being hunted down by King Saul, David took refuge around mount Carmel, where Nabal’s vast flocks and sheep were grazing. The bible says that Nabal was a very wealthy man, but he was crude and mean in all his dealings. David and his men were kind to Nabal’s servants, ensuring their safety and the security of his flock. Nothing was stolen from them.

One day, David sent messengers to ask Nabal for food supplies for himself and his men. Nabal replied with disdain and insults, giving them no food. “Who is this son of Jesse?’’ he replied. It seems that a person’s origins were just as important back then. A person’s reputation and the amount of respect they received were determined by their associations and social standing. As a ‘fugitive’ fighting to survive, David in Nabal’ eyes, didn’t deserve any attention. When David heard this, he was infuriated. He and his men launched an attack, with David vowing that no man in Nabal’s household would be alive by the next day.  

Described as sensible and beautiful, Abigail was alerted to the impending disaster by Nabal’s servants. They told her how David and his men had been a war of protection ensuring their safety and nothing got stolen from them. They pleaded with her to do something since their master had treated their protectors so poorly. While the Bible doesn’t state if a formal agreement was made between the two groups, it’s a basic courtesy to feed people who are ensuring the safety of your wealth. Upon hearing the news, the bible says Abigail wasted no time. She didn’t try to reason with her foolish husband or throw a pity party about the impending disaster caused by his poor character. Instead, she immediately prepared a feast and set out to meet David before he reached her home and killed everyone.

A hungry stomach has no ears. Abigail loaded donkeys with food and rushed to intercept David. When she met him, she bowed low in submission. Pleading for her household, she acknowledged for her husband’s foolishness but appealed to David’s higher purpose. She urged him not to act in vengeance, reminding him of his great destiny as a future king. She pointed out that unnecessary bloodshed would tarnish his legacy. Then, she asked him to remember her when he became king. David changed his mind and turned back. That’s how Nabal’s life and the lives of his household were spared.

When Abigail returned home, she found Nabal drunk and feasting like a king. She told him nothing of what had happened until the next day at dawn. When Nabal finally learned the full story, his heart gave out, and he was paralyzed for 10 days before God struck him, and he died. Abigail later became David’s wife.

Why is Abigail the embodiment of beauty and brains?

• She understood the human nature and addressed the immediate physical need before the emotional and spiritual needs.
• She was wise in speech, While talking to David, she appealed to his future as king, honoring his authority and subtly preparing a place for herself by asking him to remember when his destiny was fulfilled.
• She chose the right time, right gestures to handle the crisis and averted disaster.

These are my few insights:

• Sometimes we are called to step in the gap and act on behalf of our loved ones.
• Nabal’s pride made him ask, ‘who is the son Jesse?’ This is the voice of pride. Abigail’s humility, on the other hand, says ‘ You are God’s chosen one. Although you may not look like a king now, God’s promises stand.  She humbled herself and was ultimately exalted.
• None of us could have been spared from the wrath of God. But Jesus stood in the gap for us. He took our place so that we could become children of God, those who belong in the King’s palace.

Feel free to share yours in the comment 😉