When studying the women of the Bible, it is important to pay close attention to each individual. As a woman who desires to be married, I find Abigail to be particularly compelling. She serves as a powerful example of someone who recognizes God’s intentions beyond her own human understanding. Just as we previously examined Queen Esther, a powerful queen who saved her nation, we will now explore how a woman of great understanding was able to rescue her husband from his wrongful and unjust behaviour and her family from King David’s decisions and actions. This woman was both beautiful and discerning in her dealings, in contrast to her husband, Nabal, who is described as a fool and wicked. Abigail epitomizes the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31. In this exploration, we will delve into her faith, family, function, and formation.
Faith
Abigail is married to a man named Nabal, who is from Maon. Nabal is part of Caleb’s family, which means he is connected to the lineage of Judah. Abigail lives in Carmel with her husband Nabal, indicating that she resides in southern Judah, making her an Israelite. As the Israelites were known as God’s chosen people, it follows that she knows about God, because her family would have shared everything God did for them. (as referenced in Leviticus 23:43, KJV: “That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”).
Abigail’s understanding of God contributes to her reputation as a virtuous woman, as stated in Proverbs 31:8 (KJV): “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.” When one knows God personally or learns about His creation, their actions align with His will. Although Abigail is married to Nabal, who is portrayed as a foolish man, her knowledge of and relationship with the God of Israel, combined with her embodiment of virtuous traits, lead her to protect her husband from any harm that may come to him.
Instead of allowing disaster to strike, she discreetly takes measures to bring peace (referenced in 1 Samuel 25:19, KJV: “And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.”) And in 1 Samuel 25:25, KJV: “Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.”).
Any woman in her position might have chosen to sit back and allow harm to come to her husband, believing that it was justifiable. However, Abigail’s decision to do the right thing reflects her fear of and knowledge of God, which characterizes her as a virtuous woman. A virtuous woman stands up for what is right, despite the negative consequences she might face. She desires what God wants, rather than merely what she perceives as necessary.
Family
One of the characteristics that distinguishes a virtuous woman is the way she treats her husband and family, even when her husband may not act as he should. Nabal displayed great ignorance and arrogance when David sent his servant to him, responding: “Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?” (1 Samuel 25:11 KJV).
When Abigail discovered what had happened, she took proactive steps and went to David to intercede on behalf of her husband, Nabal. She understood that he should have acted differently, as David’s men approached him peacefully and not aggressively: “But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them when we were in the fields” (1 Samuel 25:15 KJV). Abigail pleaded with David, saying, “I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days” (1 Samuel 25:28 KJV).
Abigail could have allowed David to carry out his initial intentions, but instead, she intervened to prevent David from sinning and her husband from being harmed by David. Because of this act, we can clearly see how Abigail can be regarded as a virtuous woman, as highlighted in Proverbs 31:12: “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” Thanks to her intervention, David controlled himself and refrained from harming Nabal, and Abigail eventually became David’s wife.
(1 Samuel 25:35 (KJV) So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.
1 Samuel 25:42 (KJV) And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.)
Formation
Abigail was not only beautiful but also wise. She used her wisdom to de-escalate a potentially dangerous situation. In 1 Samuel 25:20 (KJV), it says, “And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill; and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.” Abigail knew she had to meet David to correct the wrongs caused by her foolish husband, Nabal. She recognized who King David was and understood that what her husband had done was wrong and unjust.
When Abigail met King David, she helped him recognize her husband’s true intentions and saved King David from doing any harm. 1 Samuel 25:29 (KJV) states, “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.” By interceding for her husband and family, Abigail embodies the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31:8 (KJV): “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.”
Her discussion with King David regarding her husband’s intentions ultimately achieved her aim of saving her family from destruction by King David. As noted in 1 Samuel 25:35 (KJV), “So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.” This act of bravery not only saved her household but also led to her becoming David’s wife, whom David admired for such a brave, caring, and wise action.
Function
To be a virtuous woman, your character must align with God. A child of God will always attain both wisdom and understanding. Abigail, for example, is not only beautiful but also possesses good and great understanding, as noted in 1 Samuel 25:3 (KJV): “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.”
A woman with such great capacity to understand in our current generation is rare, like Abigail. When a woman possesses understanding, it demonstrates that she can prevent certain situations from arising, and those around her can rely on her wisdom. It also indicates that she is capable of turning a negative situation into a positive outcome. Additionally, she can help others see things in a more positive light and hold on to hope for change. As demonstrated in the character traits of Abigail in 1 Samuel 25:33 (KJV): “And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.”
Her understanding is both honourable and strong, and it contributes to her status as a virtuous woman, as highlighted in Proverbs 31:25 (KJV): “Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” This is because she used her gift of understanding to save her household and even protect another person’s kingdom. To become a virtuous woman, you must possess understanding; it is an essential character trait.
In Summary
Instead of sitting down, she was able to intercept whatever was being planned by the enemy and save her household and her husband’s opponent.
Abigail exemplifies the qualities of the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31. While outer beauty is admirable, inner qualities such as wisdom and its associated components — knowledge, understanding, counsel, prudence, discretion, judgment, and instruction — truly set one apart. Just because you have been with someone foolish does not mean you cannot end up with someone wise. Abigail’s encounter with David demonstrates her discontent with her husband’s behaviour and her awareness of the potential chaos that could ensue. Instead of remaining passive, she took action to prevent a disaster, successfully intervening against the enemy’s plans to save her household and also save her husband’s opponent, King David.
Contributor: Min. Adama George
