Abigail

You might call me the earliest woman pacifist on record. And people have suggested that of all the famous women in the Old Testament I was also the wisest. Some have said that my greatest accomplishment was to be the wife of a king, and indeed I was one of King David's eight wives. But before marrying him, I was married to a drunkard, a man who owned large herds and lands. On one occasion in particular, he angered King David. That's when I found it necessary to act as mediator to appease him. I took gifts of cooked foods to David and his 600 men.

It was the sheep-shearing season at our home. Nabal had invited many guests, and there was much feasting. King David and his men, encamped not far away, were running short of provisions. Since the king had in the past befriended Nabal's shepherds in protecting his large herds of sheep and goats, it was quite natural that David's shepherds would expect to be welcomed at Nabal's feast. But Nabal who had been drinking too heavily, responded contempuously, "Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are breaking away from their masters" (I Samuel 25:10).

David's men went back and reported to the king. Well, you can imagine how angered David was at such insults. Fortunately, one of the workers on the place came and confided in me about what had happened. We both knew that when a strong-minded man like David was angered, that he wouldn't allow such an afront go unpunished. I knew too that there was no point in trying to talk sense into my drunken husband. So I took matters into my own hands, literally. I hastened to prepare special foods for David's six hundred men. I supervised the baking and packing of 200 loaves of bread. I had 5 sheep dressed and 5 measures of grain parched. Then I packed 2 skins of wine, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 cakes of figs. The servants loaded everything on asses and I mounted one myself, and bid my helpers to do the same. And off we went to David's camp. There I presented my gifts and begged David's forgiveness, to which he responded, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today! Blessed be your good sense and blessed be you, who have kept me today from bloodguilt and from avenging myself by my own hand!" (I Samuel 25:32).

I waited until the next morning to tell Nabal about what had occurred. He was horrified at his own behavior and how near he had come to being slain by David and his men. It seemed then that his heart died within him; he became like a stone. And just ten days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died. When David learned that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed be the Lord who has judged the case of Nabal's insult to me, and has kept back his servant from evil; the Lord has returned the evil-doing of Nabal upon his own head."

And yes, David remembered my intercession. I believe he recognized me as a woman of good understanding. He sent his servants, telling me that he wanted me to be his wife. And so it was to be. I believe that I have been the kind of wife David needed. He was willful and tempestuous, and I think I have helped him to learn patience and forbearance. I believe I have also helped to inspire confidence in him.

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Abigail

List of Bible References

I Sam. 25 – I Sam. 27:3 -- I Sam. 30:5 – II Sam.2:2 –
II Sam. 3:3 – I Chron. 3:1