Carol Senour

Reflecting on the story of David and Nabal in 1 Samuel 25, we have much to learn from Abigail. David had put a hedge of protection over his servants, while they were herding their sheep. He protected them, caused no harm and nothing was taken from them. Now, David sends his men with a greeting for Nabal, to remind him about their kindness. Instead of accepting the greeting, Nabal hurls insults at the men. Upon their return, the young men recall their story to David, who tells them to strap on their swords. Evil was Nabal’s response to repay the kindness shown.

We can all see where this story is going until a servant shares with Abigail what transpired between Nabal and David’s men. The servant not only tells her what happened but also agrees with how David and his men treated them. The servant tells Abigail to think it over and see what she can do because disaster is hanging over her master and his whole household. The master is a wicked man to whom no one can talk. At this moment, she had so many choices for a response. Ignoring what Nabal said, and letting the chips fall where they may, was but one choice. Approaching Nabal and letting him have it for his treatment of David’s men was another alternative. There were probably many other choices, as well.

Abigail acted quickly starting in verse 18, “ … She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. Then she told her servants, ‘Go on ahead; I’ll follow you.’ But she did not tell her husband Nabal. As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them. David had just said, ‘It’s been useless—all my watching over this fellow’s property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. May God deal with David, be it ever so severely if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belongs to him!’”

David already had a plan for Nabal and his men. Abigail gets off her donkey, bows down before David and asks for permission to speak with him. She goes on to ask David to pay no attention to the wicked man Nabal; who just like his name, means fool. When the young men came to see Nabal, she did not see them. In this whole exchange, Abigail is showing respect to God’s servant and asking him for mercy for her, the servant. 

1 Samuel 25:32–34 (David’s response to Abigail)

“ … ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak.’”

We learn from Abigail that her response changed the intended outcome. David was intent on destroying every male, because of Nabal’s response to his greeting. Abigail uses kindness, respect and delivers food for an offering to David and his men. David’s heart changes, because of her response and he spares the household. After she returns home, she says nothing to her husband, about what she had done that night. In the morning she shares everything with him; then his heart fails him, and he became like a stone. Reading this chapter, you see God’s hand in the events that transpired. Abigail was obedient and God spared her household; regardless of Nabal’s wicked ways. 

Lessons Learned:

• God can use anyone
• Be prepared for the time that God will use you
• Be still and listen to God, before responding
• Your response can change the World

Strive to be like Abigail and know that God can use you, in any circumstance. You need to be prepared for the time, by reading the bible and building your relationship with God. The relationship with God will assure that you know it is God talking when he tells you to do something. Your obedience can change any outcome and bring glory to God. 

Summer Bible Reading Plan

This post was written by a group of volunteer writers who strive to share God's truth through an online platform, but may not reflect the views of The Vineyard Church as a whole. To learn how you can get involved, email us at

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