Abigail was her name. No other name is necessary to introduce her. Everyone who has read and studied the Old Testament knows of whom you speak when you mention her name, Abigail. Therefore, maybe it was the circumstances of the moment… It could have been that the timing was right… How many times had I heard the story? How many times had I already been impressed and influenced by her actions toward David while she was still the wife of Nabal? People are amazed at her wisdom and initiative that motivated her to take the proper action at the proper time, in the proper manner with the proper attitude. I have never before felt compelled to write about her but had aspired only to emulate her – until that Sunday morning that a young Christian man stood preaching to our congregation and spoke these words, “…she spoke God back into David’s life.” Therein lay the inspiration for this writing, this appeal, if you will… the call for Abigails.
Abigail lived long before the established church, as we know it. In spite of that fact, I believe she demonstrated what we, as children of The Promise, should be displaying in every aspect of our lives, collectively and individually. 1 Samuel 25:23 states that she quickly got off her donkey and bowed her face to the ground. She “quickly” got off her donkey. The adjective caught my attention because of our reluctance to become intimately involved in one another’s lives today. Yet there are so many around us who are ensnared in temptation or entangled in their own brokenness that desperately need God spoken back into their lives.
Abigail had to admit to the foolishness of her husband. It wasn’t her sin. It wasn’t even an action she had knowledge of prior to it being carried out. Yet, her willingness to go quickly and admit to Nabal’s sin prevented another from committing sin. In addition to Abigail heading off developing trouble and sin, we learn a lesson regarding procrastination. Had she not gone quickly, it would have been too late to prevent disaster. Had she hesitated, judgment would have fallen upon her household and therefore, upon her. Perhaps the wrongdoing deserved judgment, but apparently, not a judgment in accordance with the will of The Father as evidenced in the outcome recorded in 1 Samuel chapter 25. Even David, in verse 34 stated, “…had you not come quickly, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive…”
Abigail quickly got off her donkey and bowed her face to the ground. I have often admired the oriental custom of bowing to one another. It conveys much more honor than a mere handshake. Since this country likely will not convert to bowing in lieu of a handshake, honor can still be conveyed when approaching someone in regards to the direction he is going or in regards to someone’s brokenness. Tone, attitude, demeanor, besides the selected phrasing all convey the heart of the one approaching. Veiled accusations or judgments intended to humiliate or shame someone are usually easily seen through. The ‘holier than thou’ mentality had no room in Abigail’s heart when she went to approach David. Abigail honored David in her bowing her face to the ground. Already, without speaking a word, her actions alone began the process of defusing the situation and disarming David. Her actions were soothing to him emotionally, as a cool compress on a fevered brow. Her humbled actions preceded the sincerity of her words thereby convincing David of her earnestness.
Abigail had quickly rushed to David, hopped off her donkey and bowed her face to the ground. What was her next move? 1 Samuel 25: 24-25 “…let the blame be on me… my husband is a fool, his name is Fool and folly follows him… I did not see the men my master sent…” She acknowledged the specific wrong. Abigail spoke from her heart and confessed the wrong done to David and his men, the specific wrong, acknowledging David’s feelings and demonstrating her understanding of his motivation. She addressed this motivation directly. She stated her defense only to the extent that David realized that she was willing to suffer the consequences he had determined for her husband although she had not committed the offense. She did not do this as a manipulative ploy. David would have seen through that and responded accordingly. Her confession was honest and sincere. There was nothing to interpret or decipher. She exercised straightforward honesty and sincerity from the heart.
Abigail’s next words offered David a picture of himself in obedience to God while describing what he was considering. She reminded David of God’s blessings and of his purpose according to God’s will as evidenced by the blessings David had thus far received. She reminded David of how God had always been there to protect David, to lift him up, giving David strength, courage and honor. She offered gifts to appease David and his men as she continued to remind David of his purpose in God’s plan. To reiterate the words of the young preacher the Sunday morning that this message was inspired, Abigail spoke God back into David’s life. What a beautiful, unselfish and loving gift!
We need Abigails willing to risk so much to try to guide someone back to the straight and narrow; champions of valor. She was not supernatural or in any way exceptional to any of us. What makes her story extraordinary was her heart, her willingness to do the right thing at the right time in the right manner with the right attitude – regardless of what it may cost her. She possessed no mythical ability to enable her to do that… just a heart of love, honor and a need to do what was right. Not to be right, to do right. That’s what makes her unique, notable and worthy of emulation. The young man referred to the need to draw those back to God, to speak God back into the hearts of those wayfaring. However, I believe the need to speak God back into the hearts of the broken is equally important and necessary. Perhaps, rather than judging someone whose faith seems to be slipping, a closer look will reveal a brokenness that is draining that faith.
You remember Esther and what her uncle, Mordecai told her when she was reluctant to approach the king in behalf of the Hebrews. “…Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Perhaps, God intended for you to be His hands, His feet, His heart, His words to someone He put in your path. Perhaps, He set you up to be an Abigail to someone. Let us, as Abigail, speak God back into one another’s lives!
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