Sometimes disaster comes upon us so the Lord can use it as a platform for His love, power, mercy and restoration—case in point: Job.

Sometimes it comes upon us because of our own sin. We can repent, and we can change course, though we may endure the consequences of our bad choices.

But sometimes disaster comes upon us as the result of someone else’s sin. And what then?

Abigail didn’t wait for disaster to strike. She acted to avert it. She showed courage and wisdom. She even spoke truth to power.

She wasn’t a doormat. She wasn’t a victim. She was a force to be reckoned with. And that force left an imprint on a kingdom and on history.

A Mess Not of Her Own Making

We meet Abigail in 1 Samuel 25 while David, the eventual king, was on the run from the current murderous king, Saul. The name of Abigail’s wealthy husband, Nabal, means “fool,” and he lived up to his name. Abigail, meanwhile, is described as “discerning and beautiful” (1 Samuel 25:3).

So how did someone like Abigail end up with someone like Nabal? More than likely, it occurred through an arranged marriage designed to provide her financial security. But that financial security could not guard her against her husband’s foolishness.

Nabal lacked wisdom but had wealth to the tune of 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats. David and his 600 men had been protecting the shepherds and flocks, so David’s men sought a little quid pro quo, asking Nabal for provisions for a feast day. 

And Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” So David’s young men turned away and came back and told him all this.—1 Samuel 25:10-12 (ESV)

For David, those were fighting words. And he was ready to destroy Nabal and every male in his household.

Averting Disaster

Fortunately, a servant of Nabal’s warned Abigail before it was too late. He reported Nabal “railed at” David’s men despite the fact they had been “a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep” (1 Samuel 25:14, 16)

Danger was imminent. Abigail had to act. She didn’t hesitate.

She loaded up donkeys with provisions—bread, wine, sheep ready for roasting, grain, raisins and figs. She bowed down before David and begged forgiveness. 

But then she appealed to David’s conscience.

“And when the Lord has done to my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you and has appointed you prince over Israel, my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself. And when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.”—1 Samuel 25:30-31 (ESV)

David was moved, recognizing she had prevented him from seeking vengeance by his own hand. A gentle answer had turned away wrath. Wisdom had won.

Trading a Fool for a King

Abigail waited till the next morning, when Nabal was sober, to tell him what she had done. 

. . . and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And about 10 days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.—1 Samuel 25:37b-38 (ESV)

Upon hearing of Nabal’s death, it was David’s turn to take swift action. He knew a good thing when he saw it, so he took Abigail as his wife. She became the mother of Chileab, the second son born to him in Hebron before he became king over all Israel.

What We Can Learn from Her

Abigail’s courageous actions fly in the face of those who claim helplessness under the guise of biblical submission. Yes, she had acted against the wishes of her husband, but her actions saved many lives. Nabal became the only casualty of his bad behavior.

When you’re faced with a dire situation, ask the Lord how you can mirror Abigail’s example. Become the voice of calmness and reason when emotions are running high. Be the one to defuse a tense encounter with words of humility, gentleness and wisdom.

Be like Abigail and reflect the heart of Jesus.

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This is Part 24 in a series about biblical women—some named, some not, some honorable, some less so. But all have earned a place in scripture, and all have important lessons to teach us.