During the time that David was being relentlessly pursued by King Saul he encountered a remarkable woman named Abigail that would have a profound influence upon his life at that present time as well as in the future. The Bible describes her to us as being beautiful inwardly as well as outwardly. Unfortunately, her home situation was quite ugly. No doubt she faced daily trials and hardships, but in spite of those real challenges her faith and character come shining through. Although some 3000 years removed there are some wonderful lessons that we can learn from this godly woman.

She is an example of a godly woman being married to an ungodly man. "The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings" (1 Sam. 25:3). How unpleasant it would be for any woman to be married to a "harsh" man that was also "evil" in his doings. Perhaps due to the time and culture it was an arranged marriage in which she had no choice. After all, it may have seemed like a good arrangement since Nabal was "very rich" (v. 2). But she did have a choice in how she would conduct herself in the marriage relationship. And from every indication she was a virtuous wife (Prov. 31:10) married to an unvirtuous man. For any Christian woman that has ended up in a difficult and trying marriage, the story of Abigail will most assuredly provide you with encouragement, strength and inspiration as you strive to faithfully fulfill your God-given role (Eph. 5:22-24, 33; Col. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:1-6).

She possessed humility and wisdom. The sacred text describes Abigail as a woman of "good understanding." How effectively she demonstrated this outstanding quality in her handling of a very explosive situation. David and his 600 men had protected Nabal's shepherds and sheep in the fields. And now David had the reasonable expectation that Nabal would express his gratitude by supplying David and his men with food and drink. But David and his men were harshly and callously rebuffed by Nabal. After being warned by a servant that harm was soon to come "against our master and against all his household" (v. 17), Abigail sprang into action. In her wisdom, she hastened to meet David and his men with many supplies (v. 18). When she reached David she fell on her face before David (v. 23), and spoke words that were filled with humility, godly sorrow and respect (vv. 24-28). May we also possess that wisdom that is from above that "is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits..." (James 3:17).

She had great faith and confidence in the will of the LORD. To no surprise, Nabal had total disregard for the will of God as it pertained to David's future. "Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master" (v. 10). This stands in stark contrast to Abigail's knowledge, recognition, and glad acceptance of the Lord's will concerning David. "For the LORD will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because my lord fights the battles of the LORD, and evil is not found in you throughout your days... And it shall come to pass, when the LORD has done for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you ruler over Israel..." (vv. 28, 30). Like Abigail, may we have just as much trust and assurance in the will and promises of the Lord (2 Cor. 1:20; Titus 1:2; Heb. 10:23; 1 John 2:25).

She reminds us of how a soft answer turns away wrath. As the wise man declared: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). Nabal's harsh words stirred up David's hot anger (1 Sam. 25:10-13, 21-22), but Abigail's soft answer turned away his wrath (vv. 32-35). She possessed the "gentle tongue" that "breaks a bone" (Prov. 25:15b). "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness" (Prov. 31:26). Stop and consider how many lives were saved because of the words and actions of a courageous and godly woman. "For indeed, as the LORD God of Israel lives, who has kept me back from hurting you, unless you had hastened and come to meet me, surely by morning light no males would have been left to Nabal!" (1 Sam. 25:34) Truly, "death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21). How many problems and conflicts would be quickly resolved or altogether avoided, if like Abigail, we too would respond to others with a soft answer?

Her godly character attracted a man after God's own heart. Following the Lord's judgment upon wicked Nabal and his subsequent death, "David sent and proposed to Abigail, to take her as his wife" (1 Sam. 25:39). She humbly and happily accepted his marriage proposal (vv. 40-42). After only a brief encounter with Israel's future king, Abigail made a very positive and lasting impression upon David. I suppose it should come as no surprise that a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22) admired and desired to be with a woman after God's own heart. Later she conceived and gave birth to David's second son, Daniel (1 Chron. 3:1). Ponder for a moment that she married the man whom the apostle Paul had declared: "From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior-Jesus" (Acts 13:23; cf. Rom. 1:3-4). May we too become men and women after God's own heart (Matt. 5:48; Eph. 4:22-24; 5:1).

Make no mistake about it. Abigail was a godly woman with remarkable spiritual attributes who played a very integral role in the life of David and the story of the Bible. She was indeed a worthy woman that is worthy of imitation by women of God today!