418
From Eternity Past
Nabal’s Wise Wife Saves the Household
Without consulting her husband, Abigail made up an ample supply
of provisions, which she sent forward in the charge of servants, and
herself started out to meet David. When Abigail saw David, “She
hastened, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and
bowed herself to the ground, and fell at his feet, and said, Upon me,
my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray
thee, speak in thine audience.” Abigail addressed David with as much
reverence as though speaking to a crowned monarch. With kind words
she sought to soothe his irritated feelings. Full of the wisdom and love
of God, she made it plain that the unkind course of her husband was in
no wise premeditated, but simply the outburst of an unhappy, selfish
nature. She then offered her rich provision as a peace offering to the
men of David.
She said, “The Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house;
[485]
because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord, and evil hath not
been found in thee all thy days.” Abigail implied that David ought to
fight the battles of the Lord. He was not to seek revenge for personal
wrongs, even though persecuted as a traitor. “And it shall come to
pass, when the Lord shall have done to my lord according to all the
good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed
thee prince over Israel; that this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offense
of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or
that my lord hath avenged himself.”
The piety of Abigail, like the fragrance of a flower, breathed out
all unconsciously in face and word and action. The Spirit of God was
abiding in her soul. Her speech, seasoned with grace, shed a heavenly
influence. David trembled as he thought of his rash purpose. “Blessed
are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5:9
. Would that many more like this woman of Israel would
soothe irritated feelings, prevent rash impulses, and quell great evils
by words of calm wisdom.
David’s passion died away under the power of Abigail’s influence
and reasoning. He was convinced that he had lost control of his own
spirit. With humble heart, he received the rebuke, in harmony with
his own words, “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness:
and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil.”
Psalm 141:5
. He