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Abigail Reveals Unselfishness and Wisdom, November 14
When Abigail saw David, she hasted, 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.
1 Samuel 25:23, 24
.
David and his men ... protected from the ... marauders the flocks and herds
of a very wealthy man named Nabal, who had vast possessions in Carmel. Nabal
was a descendant of Caleb, but his character was churlish and niggardly.
David and his men were in sore need of provisions while at this place, and
when the son of Jesse heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep he sent out ten
young men, “and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go
to Nabal, and greet him in my name.” ...
David and his men had been like a wall of protection to the shepherds and
flocks of Nabal as they pastured in the mountains. And he courteously petitioned
that supplies be given them in their great need from the abundance of this rich
man.... “And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who
is the son of Jesse? ... Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that
I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they
be?”
When the young men returned empty-handed, disappointed, and disgusted,
and related the affair to David, he was filled with indignation.... David commanded
his men to gird on their swords, and equip themselves for an encounter....
One of the servants of Nabal hastened to Abigail, the wife of Nabal, ... and
told her what had happened....
Without consulting her husband, or telling him of her intention, Abigail made
up an ample supply of provisions, and started out to meet the army of David. She
met them in a covert of a hill. “And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, 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.... With utter unselfishness of spirit, she
desired him to impute the whole blame of the matter to her, and not to charge it to
her poor, deluded husband....
What a spirit is this! With nothing of ostentation or pride, but full of the
wisdom and love of God, Abigail revealed the strength of her devotion to her
household. Whatever was her husband’s disposition, he was her husband still, and
she made it plain to the indignant captain that the unkind course of her husband
was in nowise premeditated against him as a personal affront.—
The Signs of the
Times, October 26, 1888
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