Nabal and Abigail
We begin knowing that Nabal was a wealthy man. It doesn't link Abigail as wealthy just Nabal. The Bible names all of his property that has created his wealth status. The Bible also tells us how these two married people are. It first states that Abigail is sensible (with good understanding) and beautiful. On the other hand, her husband Nabal is mean and dishonest. We can assume that they did not have a good marriage. We also know that at this time that it was not easy for a woman to leave her husband. She was basically bound until his death. There is no mention of her having children at this time. It is safe to say that she was very unhappy in this marriage.
In short, David protects Nabal's flock from enemies or predators therefore increasing his wealth status for that year. David sends a servant to let Nabal know of how his situation of protection occurred. Nabal dismisses David through his servant with an insult and David plans an attack on Nabal's entire household. This attack however is intercepted by the wisdom and intelligence of Abigail.
Abigail is a smart young woman, and it can be assumed that she is respected and loved by Nabal's servants. For Nabal's servants run to alert Abigail of Nabal's response to David's servant. They view her not just as a woman but a very intelligent woman that can help this entire household. She must live a godly and honest life. Nabal's servant daily observes a woman full of wisdom and integrity. These servants could have run away and flee, but they had confidence that Abigail would know what to do. Amazing!
As we read, Abigail runs to David, with food and supplies ahead of her, and alerts David of her husband's foolish behavior. She tells David the truth and has confidence that God will quickly judge her husband himself. Abigail tells David that there is no need for David's vengence. God will have vengence on her husband, she is confident of this and there is no need to interfere with God's plan. The insight of young Abigail! She knows the law and commandments of God. Her only other request to David is for him to remember her after God administers the fatal judgement to her husband.
What happens next when Abigail gets home blows my mind. She is not quick to speak. She is patient and wise enough to wait until her husband is in a certain state to let him know what had transpired between David and herself. She told Nabal when he was sober, and that was when God administered his judgement of sickness and death.
Did Abigail pray for God to deliver her from this man? Did she know that her redemption was here when Nabal's servant told her folly of her husband? I think she prayed and realized that her deliverance was here when her husband disrespected and insulted the wrong man, David.
Living for God will be very hard at times. We may be in a certain situation where we feel trapped unable to freely use our talent, intelligence, or gift. But we must be ready when God tells us it's time for our deliverance from that situation. It may be a very demanding and demeaning job. It may be a marriage where there is physical, mental, or financial abuse. It may be a relationship with a family member or friend that you are trying to get out of. We have to not take things in our own hands. We MUST continue to live honestly, godly, and full of integrity. There is a saying that I love, 'you must live a life to where if someone tells a lie about you, no one will believe it.'
We must believe that we can give our life to God to where he will constantly perfect it and make us stronger. He will guide us to all manner of truth. We are limited and subject to mistakes and ruin, but God never makes mistakes. He loves us and knows our end. We must know and trust that truth.
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