Abigail

A Life of Frustration
A Woman of Wisdom
 Characters: 1 Sam. 25:1b-3
• David
• David’s army
• Nabal
• Nabal’s shepherds
• Abigail
 David & His Men
• David had recently shown great control and
patience by not killing King Saul when he had
the chance (1 Sam. 24:8-11)
• He and his men protected Nabal’s shepherds
faithfully
• There were at least 600 men with David
 Nabal & Abigail
• Nabal is described as a rich man, but
harsh and badly behaved.
• His name means “fool”
• He is married to Abigail, who is described
as discerning (or wise) and beautiful
• His servants describe Nabal as worthless
and unapproachable
 Setting & Situation
• David and his men had protected Nabal’s
sheep and shepherds as they grazed.
• It was customary to be compensated for
that service when the sheep were sheered
• Nabal responded: “Who is David?”
• David responded: “Every man strap on his
sword!”
Let’s Turn Our Focus to Abigail
Abigail’s Adversity
Abigail’s Actions
Abigail’s Attitude
Abigail’s Appeal
Abigail’s Acceptance
 Abigail’s Adversity
• Nabal was a fool. Psalm 14:1, “The fool
says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
• She is described as wise, “The fear of the
Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov.
1:7).
• This was likely an arranged marriage
• She knew her husband well
 Abigail’s Actions (18-22)
• Abigail did not sit back and let Nabal be killed, even
though that would have been a way out of her
circumstances.
• “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be
established” (Prov. 16:3).
• She made a plan and took action.
• Did not tell her husband
 Abigail’s Attitude (22-25)
• Prov. 17:9, “Whoever covers an offense
seeks love…”
• Took food to a hungry man
• “Fell before him”
• Called him “my lord”
• Referred to herself as “your servant”
 Abigail’s Appeal (26-31)
“Now then, my lord, as the Lord lives, and
as your soul lives, because the Lord has
restrained you from bloodguilt… Please
forgive the trespass of your servant. For
the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure
house, because my lord is fighting the
battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be
found in you so long as you live” (1 Sam.
25:26 and 28).
 Abigail’s Acceptance
• David accepts her wisdom (32-35)
• She accepts her life (36)
• She accepts God’s will for Nabal (37-38)
• She accepts David’s marriage proposal
(39-42)
• Although Abigail lived with frustration, she
showed great wisdom.
• She did what she knew was right, regardless of
her personal preferences
• She showed great peacemaking skills
• She ultimately saved two lives that day- Nabal
and David