“Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling. And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid”
(1 Samuel 25:29-31).
As Abigail continued speaking with David, he couldn’t help but notice her humility. She respected David. Even though she had more material possessions than he did at the time, she showed him honor. He surely admired her willingness to make herself accountable for those of her household.
Abigail demonstrates her God-given wisdom to appeal to David’s love of God and righteousness. It was beneath David to respond so harshly to Nabal’s offense. One of the commentaries I read stated, “she pointed out if he was to carry out his plan, he would be taking the responsibility of vengeance away from God and putting it on himself.” She made him stop and think how he would feel later. He would have to live with the guilt of murdering Nabal and his household for their lack of hospitality. God should be the one to avenge the wrongs done to us and be made free of the guilt of revenge.
Not once did Abigail plead with David for her own interests. She never mentioned the fact, if he carried out his plan, she would be without a husband and a means of support. She could have anticpated the end of her plight—she would be free of her awful husband. However she only wanted to do what was right by intervening in her husband’s behalf and for the best interests of David. What a priceless gem we find in Abigail.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Ask God to grant strength and comfort to military families who have recently lost loved ones.
