Commentary on "Abigail: No Victim of Circumstances"

LESLIE MARTIN

 

Day 3: Monday, October 25, 2010 - Actions Speak Louder Than Words

 

Abigail’s name means “(i.e. source) of joy;” (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.) She must have been precious to her parents for them to give her this name, yet when it came time to arrange her marriage, she was given to a wealthy, prominent man who was self-centered and harsh. Nabal was deliberately clueless and too self-absorbed to acknowledge the treasure he had in his wife. She was not only beautiful but wise and intelligent (I Sam 25:3). She was respected by her household and trusted to provide the wise direction and decision-making required in times of crisis (I Sam 25:14-17), furthermore, she was decisive under pressure and knew when to speak and when to keep quiet and take action (I Sam 25:18,19). In contrast to her proud and pompous husband, she was humble, servant-hearted and willing to accept all the responsibility for the unconscionable behavior of Nabal and intercede for him and her household (I Sam 25:23-25,41). She had a strong faith in God and was confident that He was using her words of appeal to David to avert him from making a tragic and ransh decision to avenge himself without looking to God to be his defense and to execute righteous judgment (I Sam 25:26-31).

Abigail looked beyond the difficult and painful circumstances of her marriage and looked to the Lord God to meet her needs. It has been said, “When circumstances are over our heads, remember that they are under God’s feet.” Rather than give up to depression and despair she chose to honor God in her trials and wisely built up her house rather than tear it apart (Prov 14:1)

“A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman — who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls…17 She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm…26 She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]. 27 She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat…30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!” Proverbs 31:10,17,26,27,30 AMP

 

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