Consider the winsome figure of Abigail who fleetingly flashes on the pages of the Bible as a peacemaker and mediator to the beloved David. The scripture affords her glowing words of praise as a “woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance” (1 Samuel 25:3) who was pleasant and humble despite being married to a nasty and brutish husband. That wicked man, Nabal, is depicted as one “harsh and evil in his doings.” Like many desperate housewives Abigail must have often asked God why her marriage was unfulfilled and empty. How many sorrowful tears ran down burning red cheeks still stinging from the hostile slaps of a heartless husband?
Somehow in the midst of persecution Abigail maintained a gracious God-seeking attitude not embittered by a seemingly pointless existence. However, one remarkable day the question ‘why?’ was answered unexpectedly: her destiny was to be a godly restraining influence upon anointed future king David.
Let’s review the events of 1 Samuel 25: David has been endlessly running from the murderous hand of Saul. He is exhausted, mentally fatigued, and just a little bit testy. Months in the wilderness have ground down his tolerance and patience. Living in the pressure cooker had reduced David’s capacity to think spiritually and react morally. Indeed, in this account David does not come across as an enlightened spiritual servant of God; rather he is shown as a typical man– flawed, arrogant, and presumptuous.
Abigail’s graceless spouse Nabal provides a catastrophic flashpoint for Satan’s attempt to destroy David’s future. For some time David and his men have been protecting the wealthy Nabal’s flocks and herds. Tired of the dusty wilderness, David decides the moment had come for a little social reimbursement. David is ready to sleep in a comfortable bed with sheets and ruffled pillows, eat his food with utensils, and enjoy a hot shower. It’s time to wash off the dust and enjoy some merrymaking, revelry, and festivity. Surely Nabal will listen with reason to David’s messengers and respond with gratitude!
Waiting with anticipation for the news of acceptance and invitation, David is instead shocked to hear words of rebuff and rejection. Like a match to gasoline, David’s expectancy instantly morphs into hysterical rage. The affront of Nabal mandates aggressive action! Swearing that Nabal and all his males will die by morning light, David girds on his sword. With livid tunnel vision David mounts his horse and leads 400 warriors against the hopeless unsuspecting camp. Only minutes of time separate David from a murderous rampage which will forever mar his righteous standing with God the Father.
Then, at God’s prompting, beautiful Abigail enters the pathway of the vengeful David. Bearing many gifts she bows down before David and beseeches him to turn from his ruthless route of rage. She cries: “On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be!” She begs David to spare Nabal and to accept her oblation. Consider the future, she entreats, and the days that are to come— will this violence and bloodshed be a reproach to David in later years? She reasons:
“And it shall come to pass, when the Lord has done for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you ruler over Israel, that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself.” (vs. 30-31)
David’s wrath evaporates like moisture on noontime August concrete and he immediately recognizes the danger of his uncontrolled fury. He says: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand.” (vs. 32-33)
Isn’t it wondrous that David recognizes the words of truth that are spoken to him? What a gift to be insightful enough to change course before irreparable damage is done to self and others! We can learn from David’s near miss of willful fury. Spiritual though we may be, precarious is our position. We must take heed that we do not fall into presumptuous sin (1 Cor 10:12). God grant each of us an Abigail when we are set and determined upon a very human path of vengeance and retribution.
Pray for the insight of David to recognize the graceful intervention of one who comes across our expressway of hate and bows down with gifts. We should also reflect upon the truth that the number of divine intercessors sent into each person’s life is limited. Sorrowfully, like David, the day may come when rather than a restraining Abigail bowing before us in our path of lust, dishonesty, and murder, an accusatory and rebuking Nathan darkens our door.
And if you are an Abigail, God bless you! May God give us all grace to resist Satan.
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing…” Psalm 144:3-4
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace.” Romans 12:15
Bart Shaw, tbartshaw@hotmail.com, 5/09
The image at the top of the article is by Dutch artist Jacob Willemsz de Wet (1610-1675) “The Meeting of David and Abigail”.