Abigail, David and Nabal
Wisdom, Brains and Beauty Foil a Murderous Plot - 1 Samuel 25
A fugitive within King Saul's kingdom, David, of the "David and Goliath" fame, and about 600 of his men sought refuge in the wilderness of Paran.
In return for sustenance, David and his cavalry offered protection to the sheep shearers of a wealthy livestock owner, Nabal, who lived in Carmel, near Hebron.
When the shearing of the sheep was completed, David sent 10 of his young men to Nabal. Per David's instructions, the messengers were to bestow blessings upon Nabal's well-being and that of his household.
There doesn't appear to have been any formal or prior agreement between David and Nabal for the services David and his men rendered. However, Nabal was wealthy, and with the protection afforded to him by David and his men, Nabal's wealth was secure. Nabal's livestock consisted of of 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats.[1]
David Breathes Murder
David's messengers returned to him declaring that Nabal refused to provide any kind of payment for the protection bestowed.
Not only does Nabal refuse any kind of remuneration, he is indignant and arrogant. David, passionate and hot-headed, breathes murder — not only upon Nabal, but his entire household!
Beauty to the Rescue
Abigail, Nabal's wife, heard of their upcoming fate. Immediately, she ordered the preparation of massive amounts of food items, to include:
- "200 loaves of bread;
- "Two jugs of wine;
- "Five slaughtered and prepared sheep;
- "Five measures of roasted grain;
- "100 clusters of raisins; and,
- "200 cakes of figs." [2]
Once all of the provisions were prepared and packed she rode out to meet David upon her donkey, unbeknown to her husband.
Now, no doubt, Abigail probably heard about the defeat of Goliath, so that David's reputation may have gone before him. Nonetheless, this lone woman is about to take upon herself not only the raging David, but 400 of his men, who were undoubtedly skilled warriors in their own right, and downright ready for their own feast.
With humility, courageous Abigail confronts David and makes restitution for her husband's ill judgment. The sight and probably the smell of home cooked food may have watered down David's raging temper. No doubt her bravery and beauty may have also influenced his decision to spare her, her ignorant husband, and her household.
Abigail Confronts Drunken Nabal
Scripture hints that Nabal is a fool, in sharp contrast to his remarkable wife — a shame that such a sensible woman was chained to this uninspiring man.
When Abigail arrived home, she found her husband celebrating his wealth with his own royal feast and quite drunk. She stalled telling him anything about her encounter with David. Scripture doesn't say, but the reader can't help but wonder what must have been some of her thoughts. Additionally, interesting to note that perhaps due to his drunkenness, Nabal hadn't noticed that his wife had been missing, was not participating in his celebration.
The next morning, after the liquor had worn off, Abigail tells her husband about the fate that was spared him. Scripture states, "He became like stone," and several days later, he died. Upon hearing of Nabal's demise, David sends a marriage proposal to Abigail, and she consents to marry him.[3]
Why This Tale of Abigail for the Bible?
Abigail, evidently, was a godly woman. She demonstrated faith and courage as well as sensibility. Her intervention between the affairs of David and her husband, prevented David and his men from taking revenge and shedding blood. She was truly remarkable in many peoples' eyes.
Related Reading - Biblical Love Stories
Readers may also enjoy Eve - Biblical First Woman along with David and Jonathan and Ruth and Naomi.
Source:
- [1,2,3] New American Standard Bible, Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee 37234, no date of publication, pgs. 307-309.
Nabal Wouldn't Pay David for Protecting Shepherds
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