As girls, we grew up reading stories with happy endings. The prince rides off with his princess and they live happily ever after. At least that’s what we hope will happen. We’re now at the end of the story of Abigail and it seems that in a way Abigail’s story does have an fairy tale ending…or does it?
In I Samuel 25, we see that Abigail’s husband Nabal has died. David is rejoicing because God had avenged him of Nabal’s insults. What will be the response of others when we die? Will there be great rejoicing because another foolish person has been taken out of the lives of those that have had to suffer because of us? Or will the hearts of those that knew us mourn as Samuel was mourned at the beginning of the chapter?
In verses 40-42 David has sent messengers to Abigail’s home. They went with a simple message. It is not quite a proposal of marriage, but more like a summons. “David has sent us to you to take you as his wife.” This decisive woman doesn’t have to be asked twice! Quickly she bows to the ground, humbly accepting the offer. She does not look on herself as David’s queen, but as his maidservant, who will happily wash the feet of his servants. Again, we see her humble heart. She “hasted” to follow the men and become David’s wife.
This is the fourth time the word, hasted is used referring to Abigail’s response to something. We see it in verses 18, 23, 34, and 42. This was a woman who didn’t waste any time when she knew what she should do. Oh, that we would be so quick to follow when the Lord leads us. We need to be quick to share the Gospel, quick to encourage, quick to supply a need, quick to obey.
Now Abigail marries the man whom she had kept from bloodshed. Her discernment had kept him safe. Abigail’s wisdom enables her to be an intimate companion and counselor to her husband. As a wife, our godly discernment should be a blessing to our husband. As a woman our godly discernment should be a blessing to our children, our co-workers, and neighbors.
At this point, the story does seem like a fairy-tale ending. She gets to marry this handsome man who will soon be king! We can almost see them riding off into the sunset. You might feel as if you’re married to a Nabal, a fool, an insensitive person, and then a “David” comes along. He’s a nice caring, loving person and you start thinking of how Abigail ended up with David. Don’t go there. Abigail doesn’t do the things she does hoping that Nabal will keel over and she’ll end up with David. Her actions are done to save her family. Don’t give up on your home. Don’t give up on your marriage. If Abigail had wanted Nabal dead she wouldn’t have stopped David when he was on the warpath, but she stopped him! Do what you can to save your family. If judgement is needed remind yourself that God is in control. He is in the heavens and He will do as He pleases. Psalm 115:3
Tomorrow we’ll look down the path of Abigail’s marriage to David and see if it was really as fairy-tale like as it seemed.
RefreshHer 