Lessons in Courage from Abigail

Timely lesson for both men and women

(I’m out of town right now. Reposting a substack about of my favorite Biblical stories, the story of Abigail. )

1 Samuel 25 1-42

This entire chapter in 1 Samuel is interesting and full of lessons. It shows how bad things can be turned into good things if we make a plan, use our talents, and step into our *courage* without hesitation. 

1 Samuel 25 tells a story about a man named Nabal and his wife, Abigail. She was intelligent and beautiful, but Nabal was "harsh and evil" in his dealings with her and with others. When Nabal was sheering and butchering sheep, David sent ten of his men and told them to say to Nabel: “We come in the name of David. Long life to you, and peace to you, to your family, and to all that is yours….We protected you and we haven’t stolen from you. Please feed my men and my servants.” 

Nabal refused and rebuked them, saying, "Am I supposed to take my bread, my water, and my meat that I butchered for my shearers and give them to these men? I don’t know them, and I don’t where they are from.”

Well, that rebuke made David mad. He decided to raid Nabal’s flocks and kill all his workers.

But when one of Nabal’s young men told Abigail what had happened, she gathered together a feast and met David on the road as he approached.

She got off her donkey, fell on her face in front of David, and said, "My lord, pay no attention to this worthless man Nabal. Accept these gifts your servant has brought… When the Lord does what He promised and appoints you as the ruler over Israel, may you remember me, your servant.”

David was so impressed. He was grateful that because Abigail was there, no blood would be shed. Nabal and all his workers were spared. Later that day, when she returned home, she found her husband was drunk. After he sobered up, she told him about her encounter with David. The next day, Nabal had a stroke, became paralyzed, and died ten days later. 

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he sent messengers to speak to Abigail about marrying him. She got up quickly and, accompanied by her five female servants, mounted her donkey, followed David’s messengers, and became David’s wife.

Abigail is the central focus of this chapter. What was she able to do? 

• She saw the foolishness of her husband and took control of the situation.

• She made a decision, formed a plan, took action…and trusted the plan would work.

• She used her talents - her wisdom and her powers of persuasion - to create a peaceful solution. 

• Her courage no doubt changed the course of history.

• She did this at great risk for her own safety - either man could have violently rebuked her efforts 

• She asked to be remembered for her leadership….in her asking, she was positioned to receive. 

• When the opportunity arrived to marry David, she took immediate and decisive action. She knew he was the right man for her (she probably knew it from the first time they met!) 

Where can we – both men and women - use Abigail’s actions in our life today? 

• Think about a situation where you can see the “foolishness of others.” 

• Make a plan to take control of the situation.

• Use your talents, your wisdom, your powers of persuasion, and your courage to find a creative solution or a resolution to the current situation where none had previously succeeded

• Is an opportunity presenting itself that you are hesitating about? Take decisive action! 

• Don’t forget to *ask* for what YOU want for your efforts.  

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord, You give us lessons for today from Your Word, even in from more than 2000 years ago. Humans haven’t changed much since the time You created us. You give us talents, vision and wisdom. Allow us to use the *Lessons from Abigail* to resolve situations in our life that seem dangerous and insurmountable.

Speak courage into our hearts to improve our personal situations and overcome the difficulties occurring in our world today. Help us form a plan for the best, most peaceful and most pervasive resolution. We ASK so that we may RECEIVE. Grant us our petitions, Lord. Give us what we desire, or something better. They Will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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