As Abigail looked up she saw one of the servants in her home coming toward her. For a fleeting moment, anxiety gripped her heart. She had seen that look of panic many times before. What could be the reason this time? Completely poised, she listened intently as the servant began to speak.
“David send messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were in the fields near them nothing was missing. Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them. Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.”
Losing no time, Abigail set a plan in motion. She chose a path of honor and respect, one in which she would have no regrets, despite her husband’s wicked actions. Incredible blessings were just on the horizon . . .
~ ~ ~
In a recent study with a group of women from our church we took a close look at the life of Abigail and those whose lives she touched.
- Her name means Father of joy or cause of joy. She experienced that in God her Father there was a source of joy.
- Was probably trained in a godly home, enabling her to stay focused in her miserable home life.
- Her marriage was probably arranged
- Remained a noble woman despite her horrible situation with an impossible man. Abigail stuck it out
- She didn’t seek divorce
- Remained loyal even to protecting her worthless husband and because of this she had no regrets amid much suffering when her husband died
- Woman of beauty and brains.
(Taken from All the Women of the Bible by Dr. Herbert Lockyer)
- Read 1 Samuel 25:1-42 for the whole story.
- As you read, look for the three main characters. Describe all the qualities and characteristics revealed in these verses.
- From what you discovered about each of these individuals, which characteristics best describe you? Be honest.
- How would your husband/family members describe your character? Again be honest.
- How do you handle unforeseen pressure?
- How are you working to make your marriage and the treatment of your husband one of no regrets, like Abigail?
Author Eugenia Price calls Abigail, “A Woman with God’s Poise.” She goes on to say, “Only God can give a woman poise like Abigail possessed and God can only do it when a woman is willing to cooperate with Him on every point.”
Abigail did not treat marriage lightly, she was purposeful, persistent and pure. She did not let her circumstances determine who she was. She knew who she was in God her Father and acted accordingly.
Proverbs offers some wonderful insights for us to be better equipped as wives.
Proverbs 11:16, 12:4, 14:1, 15:1, 16:24, 18:10, 21:23, 27:15 and my personal favorite, Proverbs 31:10-31.
Great resource books on Marriage:
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas
