1 Samuel 25: Abigail the Wise
The story of David, Nabal and his wife Abigail portrays for us the refined power for good of a godly woman.
In their culture, it was a near-absolute good to do good in return when good is done to you. David’s men had protected Nabal’s servants in the fields (7-8). Thus when David asks for hospitality, it’s not only because his men have need, but he’s also appealing to a long-established custom. David is asking for nothing more (and probably less) than what he had already provided Nabal.
There is also the note that Samuel, who anointed David as the future king, had died (1). Perhaps the fact of David’s anointing had “come out” after that. Regardless, Nabal’s wife Abigail is among those who believe David will be king. So when Nabal treats David disrespectfully (10), and David responds in kind (13), Abigail intercedes for her husband.
First she provides David with the food and other refreshment that David sought from her husband (18-19). She performs the act her husband should have done.
Secondly, she pleads with David on his behalf. Her first words point to another intercessor to come: “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt” (24). Then she acknowledges the truth - that her husband’s name is appropriate, for it means “fool” (25).
But what is most profound is that Abigail does not allow this truth to drive her into bitter resentment, immorality with David, or any other sins. Abigail would make a terrible modern feminist. Instead she does the most productive thing possible: “Forgive him his sin,” she pleads (28a). The basis for her request is faith - faith that David will in fact become king (28b).
David relents from his course of action - which was looking more and more like Saul’s. He realizes that God not only protected Nabal through Abigail, but also himself, from “bloodguilt” (33). God should be praised, he says, because of Abigail. Abigail brought glory to God.
Behold the power of a wise, godly woman - to “sanctify” her unbelieving, foolish husband (1 Cor. 7:14), by imitating the steps of her true King, the greater David to come. Abigail personifies the wise woman of Proverbs 9. David was walking in a “simple” way, but he listened to Abigail’s call, and lived (Prov. 9:6).
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