Women of the Bible Study #1: Abigail

Abigail

1 Samuel 25

Setting: David is not a king yet but has a private army of at least 600 armed men. Still running from Saul. Came to Moan dessert. (South of Israel, an area of Judah).

Main character: Nabal, Abigail, David                       

Main Point: Abigail was not only beautiful but also intelligent. By her quick action and discernment, she was able to save her family and stop David from shedding unnecessary blood.

Abigail

1. She knew right timing. When to be quick and when to wait. There were mentions of “quickly” 4 times: verses 18, 23, 34, 42^*** Abigail waited for Nabal to be sober to talk about what happened. 

2. She used her gifting: eloquent speech and food. She fed the angry men food, and she calmed the spirit of the angry man with the words of wisdom.
3. She recognized the god-given authority and prophesied for David.

* The women were mostly in domestic settings in those days. Taking care of her household is her main task. Prov.31 depicts wise women. Also women were used in political ties or connection. Eg. “But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was from Gallim” (v. 44).

Nabal

1. He was a fool. Might not been his true name, but not clear if it isn’t either. However, all people called him including his wife and his servants.
1. He did not recognize the powerful man who saved his servants and flock.
2. He taunted David when he asked for support.
3. He was selfish and drunk with immediate gratification.

 David

1.     He was the anointed one who would be the king over Israel. But at the moment, he is only a leader of a private army. But yet, powerful with at least 600 armed men.

2.     He was discerning and god-fearing man who would not kill the anointed king, King Saul from chapters 24 & 26. But in the middle of these two chapters, in this chapter, he is about to kill a guy who would not reciprocate his favor, out of anger. It appears that he does not really think carefully of his action with prayerful heart. In stead, he hastily marches out to kill all men belong to Nabal, which he later recognize as avenging for himself and not a pleasing act before God (v 33).

Questions:

1.     Have you been caught in between two parties or conflicts? What is your response often?

2.     Do your family member or close companion clearly lack in judgment? How do you handle the issue?

3.     Have you ever triggered by a something minor and reacted irrationally? What was the real issue in David’s life at the time? What was your real issue at the time you over-reacted? 

(Research by Soo Lee)