Abigail: Immeasurably Loved

ABIGAIL'S STORY

Abigail was married to Nabal, a wealthy rancher whose name meant "fool." He had thousands of goats and sheep on his vast property. When David’s men were camped next to Nabal’s land, they protected his livestock from would-be thieves & invaders, and none of Nabal’s animals were missing or harmed because of the protection that David and his men willingly offered. When sheep-sheering time came around, David asked for appropriate compensation from Nabal. Despite the testimony of his herdsmen & shepherds, Nabal said no, insulting future king David and greatly angering him. David was so angry, in fact, that he intended to kill Nabal and his entire household for his response.

 One of the household servants intervened, sharing with Abigail what had happened. This perceptive servant advised Abigail to appease David, as certain disaster was headed to their household because of the folly of their master. Very quickly Abigail gathered up bread, wine, grain, dressed sheep, raisins, and figs, and loaded them on donkeys to take to David and his men. She sent her servants on ahead, but wisely did not tell her husband Nabal.

 With great dignity, humility and diplomacy, Abigail greeted David just as he was about to embark on the slaughter of her husband & his household. Her sweet words were like balm, appeasing his angered soul. Bowing low, she humbly asked David to ignore Nabal, assuring him that she had not seen the men that he’d sent. Her concern was for David, and she made an appeal to his values for justice & mercy. She boldly prophesied about his legacy, revealing the favorable view that she had of him. She reminded him that the ruthless king Saul had sought to take David’s life, and that to kill Nabal and his household would put him in the same category as his persecutor. Advising him that killing Nabal would also be politically unwise, she appealed to his wisdom & commented on his future reign as king. David recognized her intelligence & saw wisdom in her argument, accepting her counsel and praising God for her!

Upon her return, Abigail found her husband drunk at his own feast. The next day, when he was sober, she told him everything. At hearing what had almost happened, he had a stroke, dying 10 days later. When David learned the news of Nabal’s demise, he promptly proposed to Abigail, making her his wife.

HIDING NO MORE

Abigail’s story is an incredibly timely message for men and women of today. She was a powerful woman who chose not to hide behind traditions or religious ideas about a woman’s place, despite being married to a man that the Bible describes as "harsh and evil in his dealings." Instead, she embraced her truest self, allowing her beauty, intelligence, and boldness to be seen in all its glory. She offers us a potent reminder that powerful women need not hide their strength to be acceptable or appealing to others. God placed a story inside each one of us, and we do a disservice to the world if we keep it to ourselves. Your testimony will set others free, but you must share it. When we hide the beauty of our power, strength, and courage under tradition, fear, or trying to please others, we are limiting God’s glory and our own unique destiny.

POWERFUL BEYOND MEASURE

I love the following quote by author Marianne Williamson about living from a place of strength.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." 

What would your life look like if you knew how powerful you are, and you courageously lived from that place? In shining your light, you give glory to God. So let your light shine! You are powerful beyond measure, and the world will be blessed by your strength. Ask yourself today, "How can my life today be a testimony of lending my strength to others, showing honor, grace and love to everyone I encounter?" We are all stronger together.

IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN YOU COULD ASK OR THINK