Her name means “joy of my father”. She was known as a beautiful woman, but perhaps even more as a wise woman. The thing she’s known best for was the time when she saved two men in the same day. One man was her husband, the other was a soldier.
David was the soldier who had faithfully fought the enemies of Israel and had been faithful to protect the husband’s property. The husband’s name was Nabal, and though he was wealthy, he was known more for being a “fool”. Abigail became famous the day that Nabal was at his worst. When Nabal should have been gladly supporting David and his men, he was ridiculing them and refusing to help. David was offended by Nabal’s slander, and David’s anger got the better of him. David gathered up his troops and intended to teach Nabal some respect when Abigail stepped in.
Abigail gathered up a gift for David and rushed out to meet the small army. She graciously apologized for her husband, begged David for patience, and reminded David of God’s plans for him. In the end, she not only saved her husband from David’s sword, but received a blessing from David as he said, “Thank God for your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands” (1 Samuel 25:33).
Even the best of us (like David) can act foolishly at times. What a blessing it is to have an Abigail in your life, someone who is not afraid to step up and nudge us away from our foolishness.
