Lesson Eight | Devotion #6: Abigail
Debbie Gabbara | Assistant to the Gathering Pastor
“Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.” 1 Samuel
Abigail is described as intelligent and beautiful. The King James Version describes her husband, Nabal, as “churlish.” We would call him a jerk! He was stingy, rude, badly behaved, and harsh. The Message says, “Foolishness oozed from him.”
Abigail did not let the bad behavior of her husband influence her in the way she treated others. One day Abigail heard that her foolish, ungrateful husband had caused their very lives to be in danger. Like superheroes do when trouble is coming, she flew into action and changed the world around her.
My great-niece was visiting next door at my sister’s house recently. She spent most of her visit dressed in Wonder Woman attire. She swam through deep waters (in the pool), she put out the fire (the candles on her birthday cake), and deflected danger with the bands on her wrists. Danger was coming towards Abigail, but she did not need Wonder Woman, she used the Lord’s super power – wisdom and kindness.
Abigail was wise, she knew and trusted the Lord. David sent his men to Nabal because they needed food. When they took a request from David to Nabal, he insulted them and sent them away. Soon Abigail heard that David planned to destroy her husband and everyone in his household. Abigail hurried to bring them food, and plenty of it. She fell on her face before David and took responsibility for her husband’s inexcusable behavior. From her heart poured gratefulness for the protection that David and his men had given her shepherds and servants. Abigail knew of God’s protection of David and his men. She reminded David of God’s strength and goodness in his life.
Abigail had a beautiful countenance when approaching David. Her beauty was not just in her appearance, but also in her gracious words. She showed kindness to David. She cared about the need of food for his men. Abigail pleaded with him not to participate in vengeance, but to allow God to bring the trouble to his enemies. She reminded David that he fought the battles of the Lord, and not to let evil as was in her husband be found in him.
David did allow Abigail’s family to live. God blessed Abigail for her faithfulness and trust in Him. Using wisdom and kindness, and depending on her knowledge of God, Abigail’s quick actions and humble words saved her family.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV