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The object of this study is to take some time out of our busy, often chaotic days and spend some time with women who have gone before us. Not just any women, but 26 women of the Bible. We’ll “Walk Among Them” and see how their stories relate to our lives. It’s my hope that we will discover God’s presence and grace in our own lives as the lives and lessons of these women unfold before us this year.

Walking Among Them: Abigail

Stuck.

That really is the only way to describe her situation. She is married to a man whose character is described to us in Scripture.

“There was a wealthy man from Maon who owned property near the town of Carmel. He has 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, and it was sheep shearing time. This man’s name was Nabal and his wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beautiful woman. But Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, was crude and mean in his dealings.” 1 Samuel 25: 1-3

At this time in history, David is having a rough go of it. When we meet him in Samuel he is in the middle of one of the most challenging times of his life. He is fleeing the wrath of King Saul. He has left town with 600 of his loyal men. He finds himself living nearby Nabal’s land. They have in fact protected Nabal’s shepherds and kept them from harm. David’s men ask Nabal to “share” his provisions with them. (1 Samuel 25: 7-9)

Nabal has nothing but an arrogant and spiteful reply for David. “Who is this fellow David?” “Who does he think he is?” David’s men return with this message and David reacts….The plan is to attack and kill all of the men in the household of Nabal. Certainly not the Godliest reaction from David, but none the less, Nabal’s household is destined for attack.

When a servant returns to tell Abigail what happened, she learns of her husband’s embarrassing and egotistical behavior. She senses the danger that lies on the horizon. She knows who David is and she knows he has been living nearby while hiding from the wrath of Saul. It’s Nabal’s response to David that confirms his ignorance and causes the servants to run to Abigail. (1 Samuel 25: 14-18)

It is here that we meet Abigail. Instead of sitting complacently waiting for the troops of David to ascend on her household, she takes matters into her own hands. She knows that she MUST act to save her household from this pitifully arrogant man that owns this land.

“She quickly gathered 200 loaves of bread, two wineskins full of wine, five sheep that had been slaughtered, nearly a bushel of roasted grain, 100 clusters of raisins and 200 fig cakes. She packed them on donkeys and said to her servants, “Go on ahead. I will follow you shortly.” But she didn’t tell her husband Nabal what she was doing.” (1 Samuel 25: 18-20)

She is trying to simply undo the damage done by her husband. She understands that his reaction was wrong and the ramifications of such actions could be devastating to her family.

What she does next astounds me.

In 1 Samuel 25: 28 we read;

“Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty for you are fighting the Lord’s battles. And you have not done wrong your entire life.”

She takes the blame.

She humbles herself in front of David in order to save those around her who are innocent.

David is moved by her words and has compassion for her. He accepts the offering. Simple humility likely saved her household from a fate that was certain in that Nabal had insulted and disrespected David.

Abigal saved the day. Everyone involved in this wealthy estate must have collectively sighed in relief. An Old Testament Wonder Woman.

It was her wise ways and words that secured the outcome. She knew exactly what she needed to say to rectify the situation. Her courage overrode her fear.

She was likely fearful. She was human and living with Nabal had to have been a miserable existence, despite his wealth. She overcame any fear and went behind Nabal’s back to face the man who prepared to attack. She did what had to be done. Abigail remained Nabal’s wife however upon telling him what she had done, his “heart failed him” and within 10 days, he was dead. (1 Samuel 25: 36 -38)

As we’ve seen time and time again with the women that we walk with, our plans are not God’s plans and often HIS plans are astounding and unimaginable. When Nabal dies, David sends word to Abigail asking that she marry him. She becomes David’s wife.

In one little chapter in the Bible, the character of Abigail is revealed, while God’s perfect plan prevails. God took what must have seemed at times to be a dismal trap and unfolds Abigail’s story. A story of faithfulness and hope. As many who we’ve shared a walk with, Abigail emerged as part of God’s perfect plan and was used in extraordinary ways. It isn’t a long walk with Abigail, but it’s proven to be a worthwhile walk with a woman of confident character.

With each woman that we study, I’ll have some thoughts and ideas for reflection, meditation and journaling that will be called “Reflections from the Walk.” It’s in Walking Among Them that we can learn lessons that we can take with us on our daily walks.

Reflections from the walk:

We may never be asked to risk our lives the way that Abigail had to, but we are asked over and over in Scripture to act courageously. Read Isaiah 1:17 and reflect on what it means to “do good, seek justice, help the oppressed and defend the rights of orphans and the rights of widows.” Those are often things that will require courage to act on behalf of those who cannot act for themselves. How can you demonstrate the courage of Abigail?

Examine the character of Abigail and journal which traits you possess and how you demonstrate those traits to others.

Courage

Responsibility

Humility

Abigail used her words wisely as a Proverbs 31 woman should. Do you struggle with words? Do your words ever stir up anger? Had Abigail stirred up anger in David the results would have been disastrous. How can we “modern women” take responsibility for our words and choose to use them for good and Godly purposes?

Abigail makes the best of the hand she has been dealt. Does life ever find you in circumstances that you’d rather not be in? Journal your heart. Journal a heart prayer asking God to help you make the best of these times, asking for the confident hope that God is in the middle of each and every circumstance that we face in this life.

Abigail cooks to try and convince David to retreat and not attack her household. She took bread, cakes, and grains. She got BUSY! Consider making bread, raisin cake, or experiment with dates and figs in remembrance of the walk with Abigail.

A wonderful website full of insight is Cooking with the Bible:

http://www.cookingwiththebible.com/reader/?type=meal&id=GR3410-1359&q=Abigail

Consider sharing these treats and Abigail’s story with a woman in your life who needs to be reminded to have the courage she did while facing those challenging and difficult situations in life.

A PDF of this study can be found HERE.

Join me next time where we’ll walk with the Queen of Sheeba

Lori is a 5 year homeschool mom to 3. Currently a 8th grader, a 6th grader and a 4th grader. Lori insists that when she was wrestling with the decision to home school, a gentle voice guided her with the words, “you know what you should do.” Never looking back, accepting the challenges and rewards and CONSTANTLY clinging to THE ROCK…”No Storm can shake my inmost calm when to this ROCK I’m clinging.” Lori hopes to impart peace and inspiration amidst the daily chaos. Be sure to visit her blog at All You Have to Give.