Introduction:
Abigail is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for her wisdom, beauty, and diplomatic skills. She is primarily mentioned in the First Book of Samuel, where her account unfolds during the reign of King David. Abigail's narrative highlights her role as a peacemaker and her influence in the early history of Israel.

Biblical Account:
Abigail is introduced in 1 Samuel 25 as the wife of Nabal, a wealthy but harsh and foolish man from Maon, whose business was in Carmel. The Bible describes Abigail as "intelligent and beautiful" (1 Samuel 25:3), contrasting her with her husband, who is described as "harsh and evil in his dealings."

During the time when David was fleeing from King Saul, he and his men provided protection to Nabal's shepherds and flocks in the wilderness. When David sent messengers to Nabal during the shearing festival to request provisions, Nabal rudely refused and insulted David, saying, "Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse?" (1 Samuel 25:10).

Upon hearing of her husband's actions, Abigail quickly took action to prevent bloodshed. She prepared a generous gift of food and wine and went to meet David, without informing Nabal. When she encountered David, she humbly pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of her husband and acknowledged David's future as the leader of Israel. She said, "Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles" (1 Samuel 25:28).

David was moved by Abigail's wisdom and intervention, and he praised her for preventing him from taking vengeance. He said, "Blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you for restraining me from bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hands" (1 Samuel 25:33).

Marriage to David:
After Abigail returned home, she found Nabal holding a feast. She waited until the next morning to inform him of her actions. Upon hearing the news, Nabal's heart failed, and he became like a stone. About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal, and he died (1 Samuel 25:37-38).

Following Nabal's death, David sent for Abigail and took her as his wife. Abigail's marriage to David is noted as a significant alliance, and she became one of David's wives during his rise to power. She bore him a son named Chileab, also known as Daniel (2 Samuel 3:3, 1 Chronicles 3:1).

Legacy and Significance:
Abigail's account is often cited as an example of wisdom, courage, and peacemaking. Her ability to act decisively and diplomatically in a tense situation not only saved her household but also played a crucial role in David's journey to kingship. Her narrative underscores the importance of discernment and the impact of individual actions in the broader context of God's plan for Israel.ABIGAIL; ABIGAL

ab'-i-gal, ab'-i-gal ('abhighayil, or 'abhighal, three times, or 'abhughayil, once, or 'abhighayil, once; "father," or "cause of joy"):

(1) The wife of Nabal, a rich shepherd of southern Judea, whose home was Maon (1 Samuel 25:2, 3); shortly after Nabal's death she became the wife of David. Nabal grazed his flocks in or along the Southern Wilderness, where David and his men protected them from marauding tribes, so that not a sheep was lost. When Nabal was sheep-shearing and feasting at Carmel (in Judea), David sent messengers requesting provisions for himself and men. But Nabal, who was a churlish fellow, answered the messengers insultingly and sent them away empty-handed. David, angered by such mean ingratitude, gathered his 400 warriors and set out to destroy Nabal and all he had (1 Samuel 25:22). Meanwhile Abigail, a woman "of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance" (1 Samuel 25:3), heard of the rebuff given the men of David by her husband; and fearing what vengeance David in his wrath might work, she gathered a considerable present of food (1 Samuel 25:18), and hastened to meet the approaching soldiers. Her beautiful and prudent words, as also her fair face, so won David that he desisted from his vengeful purpose and accepted her gift (1 Samuel 25:32-35). When Abigail told Nabal of his narrow escape, he was stricken with fear, and died ten days afterward. Shortly after this David took Abigail to be his wife, although about the same time, probably a little before, he had also taken Ahinoam (1 Samuel 25:43); and these two were with him in Gath (1 Samuel 27:3). After David became king in Hebron, Abigail bore him his second son, Chileab (2 Samuel 3:3) or Daniel, as he is called in 1 Chronicles 3:1.

(2) Sister of David and mother of Amasa, at one time commander of David's army (1 Chronicles 2:16, 17; Abigal 2 Samuel 17:25). In the first passage she is called David's sister, along with Zeruiah; while in the second she is called the "daughter of Nahash." Several explanations of this connection with Nahash have been suggested, any one of which would be sufficient to remove contradiction:

(1) That Nahash was another name of Jesse, as in Isaiah 14:29, mish-shoresh nachash yetse' (Qimchi);

(2) That Nahash was the wife of Jesse and by him mother of Abigail, which is least probable;

(3) That Nahash, the father of Abigail and Zeruiah, having died, his widow became the wife of Jesse, and bore sons to him;

(4) That the text of 2 Samuel 17:25 has been corrupted, "daughter of Nahash" having crept into the text. At all events she was the sister of David by the same mother.

Edward Mack

26. Abigayil -- "my father is joy," two Israelite women
... Abigal. Or shorter Abiygal {ab-ee-gal'}; from 'ab and giyl; father (ie Source) of
joy; Abigail or Abigal, the name of two Israelitesses -- Abigal. ...
/hebrew/26.htm - 6kAbigal (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABIGAIL; ABIGAL. ab'-i-gal ... mother. Edward Mack.
Multi-Version Concordance Abigal (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel ...
/a/abigal.htm - 10k

Ab'igal (1 Occurrence)
Ab'igal. Abigal, Ab'igal. Abihail . Multi-Version Concordance Ab'igal (1
Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Abigal, Ab'igal. Abihail . Reference Bible.
/a/ab'igal.htm - 6k

Abigail (18 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 3:1). Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A lady's waiting-maid. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ABIGAIL; ABIGAL. ab'-i-gal ...
/a/abigail.htm - 17k

Ab'igail (16 Occurrences)
Ab'igail. Abigail, Ab'igail. Abigal . Multi-Version Concordance Ab'igail (16
Occurrences). ... Abigail, Ab'igail. Abigal . Reference Bible.
/a/ab'igail.htm - 10k

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)
... Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Jesraelite, that went in
to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother. (See RSV). ...
/z/zeru'iah.htm - 13k

Zeruiah (25 Occurrences)
... According to 2 Samuel 2:32, her husband was buried at Bethlehem. In 2 Samuel
17:25, "Abigal the daughter of Nahash" is said to be her sister. See ABIGAIL. ...
/z/zeruiah.htm - 17k

Jesraelite (1 Occurrence)
... Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, that went in
to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother. (See JPS). ...
/j/jesraelite.htm - 6k

Ama'sa (12 Occurrences)
... Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Jesraelite, that went in
to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother. (See RSV). ...
/a/ama'sa.htm - 10k

Ab'salom (85 Occurrences)
... Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Jesraelite, that went in
to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother. (See RSV). ...
/a/ab'salom.htm - 29k

Who was Abigail in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of David and Nabal? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Nabal in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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