In the movie Rocky 3, Clubber Lang, played by the former American actor and retired professional wrestler, Mr. T, was interviewed before his rematch with Rocky Balboa. He said, “No, I don’t hate Balboa, but I pity the fool! And I will destroy any man who tries to take what I got.”
Looking at today’s passages, Saul was seeking every opportunity to take the life of the soon-to-be King David. There was a flurry of activity as David fled Saul’s jealousy and violent plots. In one chapter, David and his men were concealed in a cave; in the next, they defeated the Philistine army. Upon hearing of Samuel’s passing, David and his men fled to the wilderness of Paran for fear that, maybe, Samuel’s death would turn Saul against him again. If you’re wondering where God’s favor and protection are, you can be sure they’re going to show up here too—just not exactly in the way David (or I) might have imagined.
Nabal, a wealthy man residing in the wilderness of Paran, was presented with an opportunity to assist David and his men with provisions, and this was his response.
Who is David? Who is Jesse’s son? Many slaves these days are running away from their masters. Am I supposed to take my bread, my water, and my meat that I butchered for my shearers and give them to these men? I don’t know where they are from.
—1 Samuel 25:10–11
In other words, “I pity the fool who tries to take what I got.” Nabal’s rudeness and contempt provoked David’s anger. Not only had Nabal reacted foolishly, but David was also about to join him in less-than-advisable reactions by taking the lives of Nabal and his entire household.
Upon hearing of her husband’s reaction, Nabal’s wife, Abigail, entered the scene. A woman of discernment and generosity, she embodied God’s favor and protection in this story. In the face of foolishness, David was met with discernment, discretion, generosity, and sacrifice. David then told Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today! May your discernment be blessed, and may you be blessed” (vv.32–33). Discernment is a gift from God, and in the face of foolishness, it protects and preserves us from further harm, regret, or pain. R. C. Sproul states, “The beginning of foolishness is the failure to hold God in reverence and to adore Him.” To not hold God in reverence for who He is and all that He has done truly is the ultimate act of foolishness.
What has God done? He took on Himself the burden of our sin, guilt, and shame. Abigail’s words to David, “The guilt is mine, my lord,” (v.24) ministered to him, calmed his anger, and led him to bless her discernment and sacrifice. In a similar way, through the person and work of Christ on the cross, we are blessed.
Written by Will Heydel
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77 thoughts on "Abigail"
“Am I supposed to…give…to these men? I don’t know where they are from.” Quoted from 1 Samuel 25:10-11.
The wealthy response to helping those in need or complaining about how ‘their money’ is used to help others seems so loud even today. May we not ignore God’s calling.
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Amen just beautiful ❤️
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Amen
Amen
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Hey Shes!
WOW!!
What a story!
Never heard before!
Beautifully explicit!
Gallantly rendered!
A quick thinking woman, Abigail, rich in discernment & integrity, saved the entire household from destruction.
Because a stupid husband, Nabal, rich in arrogance & ill temper, had placed them in that precarious position.
God by His grace working in His elegant detail.
In the end Nabal lost his wife through greed & drink.
And David gained a wife of valor & vitality.
Amen, sisters!
What a work God did in all of the main characters AND the worker who made sure that Abigail knew the danger they all were in. Makes me think that wasn’t the first time her help (wisdom/discernment/level head) had been sought.
What a brave woman! I can’t imagine having to yell my husband that I betrayed him and did exactly opposite of what he wanted, I didn’t like telling him I dented the car! Abigail trusted God more than her fear of repercussions and backlash from a “stupid” angry man. Look how God protected her. God saw her.
Your comment about not wanting to tell your husband about denting the car made me laugh because when I had a fender bender last month, it was like, ughh..gotta tell him. (I sent a text..lol)
That’s righteous, Sister!!
So I looked up whether Abigail and David had children. They had one son, Chileab. It also said Abigail had no further connection to David’s court and the son was never going to be inline to serve.
Nevertheless, she served with distinction!!
A woman of discernment and generosity! I pray that I will be like Abigail in times of need!
Praying for all! Have a blessed day!
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Discernment is such a powerful gift! This story could have ended so different,y if Abigail hadn’t listened to the discernment she received from God. I wonder how many times we could have experienced different outcomes if only we had listened to the discernment within us! Lord, may you grant us wisdom to listen to Your voice that gives us discernment in all circumstances! // Prayer request (another one, sorry!): My nanny kids Grandpa, Paul, will be having a bone marrow transplant tonight around 6 P.M. (Central Time). He was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive type of Lymphoma in January and his doctors have said this is his only chance at making it to his next birthday. Please pray for peace as his anxiety increases the closer it comes to having a procedure & for wisdom for his care team. Lifting up your requests as well. God Bless!
Praying!
Thank you!
Praying for Paul, and Seth.
Prayer for this dad…and a miracle healing, and for peace and assurance before the surgery! I just saw on IG a surgeon that sings songs to his patients as they are put to sleep. Wouldn’t that be nice. (I’m used to wearing earpods to listen to praise and worship songs during any type of treatment/apt. because it calms me)
praying for Paul
Praying for Paul !
Praying Susan, for Paul that the peace of God flood his heart mind and body as the date of His procedure approaches..
Lord in your mercy here our prayer..❤
I have to highlight this quote from the devo!
“R. C. Sproul states, ‘The beginning of foolishness is the failure to hold God in reverence and to adore Him.’ To not hold God in reverence for who He is and all that He has done truly is the ultimate act of foolishness.”
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The Biblegateway verse of the day is so appropriate:
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. NLT
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Love, hugs, and prayers! May we all be Abigails!
Abigail was both gentle & mighty!
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YES, we are blessed! Wow Abigail had some backbone!! Me, and my personality would of been afraid! In many ways Abigail was probably afraid herself, but found her inner strength which I’m positive it came from God and went ahead and spoke out in confidence and though her husband Nabal was a jerk (I’m putting it lightly) she remained faithful to him, BUT GOD….showed up and was faithful to her and released her from this awful man. Now I’m not so sure David having many wives was the correct route he took, but we all know him as “a man after God’s own heart” Yesterday after work I had a meeting with a sweet friend, a pastor’s wife and wise beyond her years. I learned yesterday I’m more than `10 years older haha. This past week I’m feeling supported by these people I’ve been meeting with and what I have to say and I feel VERY supported and comforted by your prayers. My God, My Jesus is showing up as always! ONE more thing.. today we celebrate our TK students along with their parents, a little celebration and performance. I’ve been getting teared up during the practice, and I feel like that now. I’ve grown to LOVE these little munchkins and now they will be Kindergartners!! They promised to come visit me! ONE particular student who in the beginning was having a hard time, has grown SO much, and the teacher and I have grown to LOVE her SO much that her parents noticed and yesterday we both received the sweetest note and flowers and gifts. BUT the card and what her mom wrote and what the student drew, (a picture of us) and with the help of her mommy wrote the funniest/sweetest thing for me. I’m all teared up and my heart has melted! YES, I am blessed!
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Another way to look at David’s marriage to Abigail is that as a widow with no children she would have been vulnerable. By marrying her, David was taking her into his care and if she only had one son with him, this would have also given her future security. The Bible doesn’t say either way what her prospects would have been as a widow, but it is possible
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Once again God uses a woman to accomplish his will. Abigail was not only beautiful but she was intelligent and a woman of discernment. She not only knew who David was – but most importantly, she knew his God. May we all learn from Abigail – the more time we spend in the presence of God and in His word, the more discerning we will be.
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Some other things that caught my eye – she just happened to have 200 loaves of bread,100 cakes of raisins & 200 cakes of figs! Was she a baker? Did they have a bakery where they sold all this food? How did she have so much on hand?
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She also aluded to the fact that she had heard that David had killed Goliath when she said, “But the lives of your enemies he will turn away as from the pocket of a sling.” (Vs 29)
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God used Abigail to intervene, David listened to her & avoided needless bloodshed (especially the lives of the innocent men) allowing God to fight the “battle” and take care of wicked Nabel in His own way…letting God get all the glory.
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I think it’s safe to say that we all one time or another have taken things into our own hands, instead of waiting to see God work His mighty power. It robs Him of the glory and us of the victory.
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May each of us daily, continue to grow in God’s wisdom and discernment.
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Happy Tuesday She’s enjoy this day the Lord has made!
Loved your observation: I think it’s safe to say that we all one time or another have taken things into our own hands, instead of waiting to see God work His mighty power. It robs Him of the glory and us of the victory.
Robbing God is not cool.
❤ Yes, sharon and Tanya, I was going to quote that here! ☺☺☺
Sharon, like you my curiosity about the food was piqued, but I haven’t researched yet. Since it was a “feast day” I think that explains the abundance. My curiosity centered around food storage! Where did they keep that quantity of food?!
I thought the same thing…where did she get all this on hand.
Terrific insights…thanks for voicing my wayward thoughts.
Agreed & Amen Again, SJG!
Sharon, I love your insights..❤❤
It was obvious that Abigail was abused by nabal,but God delivered her from this situation.
What a gift wisdom and discernment is. As well as the ability to calmly assess and diffuse situations. Lord, we have so much to learn as we read your Word. Thank you for the story of Abigail and the example she is of a godly, wise woman. I pray that you would lead me in seeking discernment. To be able to read situations well, to be insightful, thoughtful, discerning. To respond rather than react in a way that would not only bring life, hope, peace and resolve to circumstances, conversations and situations that arise, but also bring honor to you. Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:4-5) Amen
Beautifully worded prayer, Wendy! Amen ❤
Amen.
Oh so fine, Wendy B!
Joining you Wendy, if I may in your beautiful prayer..❤
” A lot was at stake in Abigail’s response- her life was in danger along with Nabal’s- but the rewards were high. In standing between a fool and future king, G-d turned her life in a hopeful direction. Her wisdom and kindness were not only a blessing from G-d that spared David from being a hothead, but they also became a blessing that delivered her from having to live with one… Her story demonstrates the enormous value of sacrificing pride and honoring others in order to bring peace.” Chris Tiegreen in the Dancing In The Desert Devotional Bible.
If I had to come up with a defining verse for Abigail from the scriptures it would have to be Proverbs 31:30. ” Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.”
Amen
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Proverbial, as they say, dear Tanya!
The proverbs 31 woman came to mind.. When I read the devotional too.❤❤
Gosh, I didn’t even recognize the names today! Not even that Abigail was to be David’s wife!! But what a lesson in such a seemingly small passage of all the ups and downs of David’s long quest to king and thereafter.
Leave it to the woman to be the calm, voice of reason between ego’s of men! :)
Discernment and listening to God was who Abigail seemed to be. We have that same discernment and guidance through the Holy Spirit today! The gifts of God are in us, but we must pause to assess, we must be so in step with God that it is second nature and habit in all situation. Holy Spirit gives us boldness and action! To not know the outcome but do it anyway. Holy Spirit gives us impact! Then we become God’s witness and testimony. I want to be hungry and thirsty to be ready at any moment to be used like Abigail. She had no idea David was coming and her life would soon change. And it would be at this moment to deal with her awful husband, she had probably been hoping and waiting. Our waiting on the Lord, for when he gives us the green light. Not on our own, but a sensitive heart, discernment, and readiness. She seized the moment. Well done, Abigail! May it be so with us.
Is this all there is on Abigail?
Also, trying to think of a time that I had the discernment to diffuse heightened situations….none come to mind. :)) I run at intense, volatile situations. Or confrontation…or arguments. lol
Lord give me strength and wisdom!
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May God give us the discernment of Abigail:to know when to talk and what to say.Amen
lol, you wrapped up what I was trying to say in one sentence! Amen!
Lord, make me like Abigail—wise, humble, brave, and full of grace. When I feel powerless, help me remember that You are strong. Help me speak peace into chaos, truth into conflict, and love into fear. Let me trust You with the outcomes and rest in knowing that You see and honor those who walk with You.
Amen! ❤
Amen!
Amen & Amen, Kimberly!
Amen ❤
It was likely not the first time that Abigail needed to diffuse a situation caused by her “foolish” husband. It would be easy to become a nasty, grumpy bitter wife of a man of Nabal’s stature. Yet, her strong character is reflected by the calm, wise, generous and humble response. I admire that about her.
How foolish I am sometimes (well, maybe a lot of the time)! I so enjoyed this story of Abigail and David. I love how Will captured her personality trait of discernment in the devotional. Through Abigail God is showing calmness, restraint, love and humility to David. Through Abigail God showed us the parallel of Jesus and what he did for us. Beautiful
Amen
Abigail was a godly, strong, brave, respectful and wise woman, following God’s lead in her speech to David. He was wise in listening to her God inspired words – stopping his plan to act in vengeance and not at God’s direction. Are we as discerning and willing to listen/follow God’s plan for our lives?
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MERCY ❤️ so good, sister. If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well.
CEE GEE ❤️ great song & reminder, meditate on God’s goodness
RHONDA J ❤️ another good song
WENDY B – ❤️ great comment, sister. we should all remember “Each and every day the Lord gives me is a gift from His hand”
MARI V – praying for wisdom
LYNNE FROM ALABAMA ❤️
TERESA STREIT ❤️
TINA ❤️
LAMISA ❤️
❤ Yes, we see both parties responding in obedience. Thanks for pointing that out, Searching!
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I thought I replied earlier! ☺ ❤
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Hmmmmm, in response to your question on discernment..
Pause for thought.. ❤❤
Amen❤️
Discernment is a gift from God, and in the face of foolishness, it protects and preserves us from further harm, regret, or pain.
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Thankful for God’s kindness in granting His people discernment.
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Praying for requests ❤️
Amen! ❤️
Amen❤️
That’s the quote I was gonna share! ☺ ❤
Amen, Kelly! ❤❤