She Faced Two Angry Men

IN A way, Abigail was caught between two angry men. One was her husband, Nabal​—a brutish, harsh, and senseless man. The other was David​—a good man, a faithful servant of Jehovah, and the future king of Israel. However, Nabal had enraged David, and now Abigail’s household faced a grave danger. Abigail was gifted with both beauty and wisdom. But how would she find the courage to handle this crisis?

Abigail first learned that trouble was brewing when a servant approached her. He told her that David was heading their way, leading a band of 400 armed men bent on bringing disaster to Nabal “and against all his house.” Why? David had asked Nabal for food. It was a reasonable request. David and his men had been like a protective wall around wealthy Nabal, his shepherds, and his many flocks. David loyally defended Israel and its people against invaders and raiding parties​—even though King Saul had forced him to flee and had persecuted him without basis. And now, when David sent men to Nabal to make a tactful request for food, the man screamed insults at them, even calling David nothing more than a runaway servant!

Nabal’s servant knew that there was no point in appealing to his master about this emergency. “He is such a worthless man that no one can speak to him,” the servant said frankly. But he trusted that Abigail would hear him out and act wisely. What would she do?

She did not panic. But she had to act fast. She prepared a generous gift of food for David and his men, had the supplies loaded onto donkeys, and then sent servants ahead with the gift. She followed on her own donkey. To Nabal, she said nothing. She likely knew that he would try to prevent her from doing the right thing.

As Abigail rode along under the shelter of a mountain, she encountered David and his men. She quickly dismounted and went right up to the angry warrior chief. She threw herself to the ground before David, begging to be allowed to speak. Her humility surely disarmed David.

Abigail took responsibility for the whole problem, and she acknowledged that David was justifiably angry with her husband, who had acted in a worthless, senseless way. Then she appealed to David’s deep faith in Jehovah God. He would not want David to incur bloodguilt and suffer with remorse over killing innocent men. She added that Jehovah would establish David’s house and make him ruler, while defeating David’s enemies. Clearly, Abigail knew that Jehovah had anointed David to be the next king.

Her wise, kind words soothed David’s angry heart. He said: “Praise Jehovah the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me!” He blessed Abigail for her good sense, and he humbly accepted her wise counsel. “See, I have listened to you,” he said.

Nabal knew nothing about all of this. He feasted that night and got “as drunk as could be.” Abigail waited until morning, when he was sober​—but his temper was likely as dangerous as ever. Then she told him the whole story. Did she brace herself for an outpouring of rage and violence? If so, there was no need. “His heart became like a dead man’s, and he lay paralyzed like a stone.” Then, some ten days later, “Jehovah struck Nabal, and he died.” God thus punished Nabal for acting wickedly toward David, His anointed servant. Jehovah also blessed Abigail by freeing her from a terrible marriage.

Jehovah had more blessings in store for Abigail. When David learned of Nabal’s death, he invited Abigail to become his wife. She accepted. David did indeed become king, first of Judah and then of all Israel, and Abigail bore him a son. At one point, she was kidnapped by enemies of God’s people​—but not for long. Her brave and good husband came to her rescue.

Read the Bible account:

• 1 Samuel 25:1-43; 30:1-6, 16-20

For discussion:

In what ways did Abigail show courage?

1. 3. Why should Nabal have been grateful for the help of David’s soldiers? (ia 77-78 ¶9-10) B

   Your answer

   

   Hanan Isachar/​Alamy Stock Photo

2. 4. What did Abigail mean when she said that David’s life would “be wrapped securely in the bag of life with Jehovah”? (1 Sam. 25:29; it “Life” ¶45)

   Your answer

Reflect on the Lessons

• What can husbands learn from David, who listened to Abigail? C

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• What can sisters who are married to unbelievers learn from Abigail?

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• How might you imitate the courage of Abigail in your life?

  Your answer

Meditate on the Bigger Picture

• What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

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• How does the account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?

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• What would I like to ask Abigail in the resurrection?

  Your answer

Learn More

What might a Christian do to strengthen his or her marriage with someone who doesn’t worship Jehovah?

Marriage​—A Permanent Bond (4:30)

Abigail helped David to control his temper. Consider ways that you can control your temper even when you are offended or provoked.

“The Insight of a Man Certainly Slows Down His Anger” (w14 12/1 12-13)