David and Abigail

David and Abigail is a bible story that attempts to teach Christians about real life issues, and modes of response…

You might want to refer to the last episode ‘here’ for a broader understanding of the story line… God bless you!

The Bible quotations were cited from ‘The Bible Gateway’

David’s blood froze with shock, synchronizing the sequential reddening effect on his face. Streams of sweat found their way through the streaks of thickened line contours on his face.

The  momentum of rage prompted an immediate action. David sounded the war alarm, Four hundred men were to go on an important mission… Momentarily, each fighting man strapped on his sword, en route to Carmel.

In one swoop, they stormed the dusty terrain. David swore inwardly that Nabal and his entire household would pay dearly for his folly. Indeed, it will be a fatal mission, hinged on a bitter revenge!                                          Revenge borne out of rage, and rage, fueled with each passing second.

Incessantly, David gnashed his teeth as he traversed the dusty terrain that overlooked the Wilderness of Paran. “Surely, this ingrate has bitten more than he can chew. After all I did for him, He pays me back with disgrace!                 I will crush him to dust. I’ll crumble his entire empire. Not one member of his household will see tomorrow’s daylight”

He ranted on, cursing Nabal under his breath. Meanwhile, two hundred men stayed back in the camp to watch over their supplies! Moreover, Saul was still bent on killing him!

Abigail steps in…

Swiftly, Abigail loaded the assembled asses with victuals of different sorts ranging from loaves of bread, skins of wine, sheep, roasted grain, raisins, pressed figs.

With great fear, her servants mounted the asses in a bid to begin their journey to meet with an irate warlord! Carefully, she did a quick search to ensure that there had no sword in their possession.

She had instructed them to go on ahead of her, Whilst she made haste too, to follow after them.
Perhaps, she could buy a little time with the above plan.

Abigail hurriedly got dressed and mounted her donkey. She was sure to catch up with her servants because her beast bore no burden. Presently, she heaved a sigh of relief! However, her expressions of satisfaction thus far, was soon interrupted.
A momentary feeling of fear enveloped her when she imagined what the fugitive warlord David could do to her husband, Nabal. No doubt, it would be a bloody bath!

Oh Nabal! When will you ever learn! It would be foolish to confront you over this issue, plus a total waste of time! You will never listen to me. How self-centered and insensitive can you be, Nabal? Will David be patient enough to listen to me? I could lose my life in the process.

 

Abigail’s musings was simultaneous with the trotting of the donkey, as though impinging on her thoughts!
Apparently, the atmospheric breeze had been quite efficient at removing every tear from the misty-eyed Carmelite woman who was almost catching up with the servants, who were close to the hill

Her heart missed a bit when she felt some ground-shaking movements. Clearly, David’s men were about descending the last hill that would take them to their destination.

Anticipating the worse could happen to her servants, who were much closer, she raced on till, on sight,  just between David (and his battalion) and her servants (behind her)

In one swoop, she bowed down, and made a passionate appeal.

“Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. 25 Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent. 26 And now, my lord, as surely as the LORD your God lives and as you live, since the LORD has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal. 27 And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you.
28 “Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The LORD your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the LORD’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. 29 Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. 30 When the LORD has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the LORD your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”             (1 Samuel 25:24-31)

All David could see was a distressed woman who stayed at a safe distance, (probably due to fear) to plead with him. However she was close, close enough to have penetrated his heart with her words.

An embittered heart filled with rage and bent on revenge has been reversed. David’s men could clearly relate with this, seeing that their master would rescind in his decision.

“This woman has her way with words”, David’s servants spoke in hushed tones!

Truthfully, David was grateful. Rage had blinded him so much that he was deaf to the voice of good judgment. Here was a woman whose softness had succeeded in switching the redness on his sweaty face from anger to gratitude.

Nevertheless, David couldn’t deny that he felt a tinge of shame! Had she not been swifter than necessary, he would have harmed her before she could utter a word. David wondered if he would have forgiven himself, had he lay a finger on her.

Oh Abigail!

A woman did what none of his mighty warriors could do… via words! Indeed, the Carmelite woman had reminded him again of his great destiny as King over all of Israel (which must not be sacrificed on the altar of rage and self preservation).

However she was informed, as she was beautiful. He wondered how she ended up as a wife to such an ill-mannered fellow. He couldn’t comprehend how Abigail (an embodiment of wisdom) could live with Nabal (a literal fool). He doesn’t deserve to be with her.

No sooner had David jolted back to consciousness than he noticed the donkeys loaded with edibles. He was excited and accepted the gifts from the Carmelite woman, without much ado.

Truly, Abigail had not just preserved her husband’s life; She had succeeded in winning his heart.

Excitement was clearly written on David’s face. He tried so hard to contain his feelings. A man of his state must not be sentimental, especially in Abigail’s presence. Obviously, she had touched a vital part of him; one which he never thought did exist. He was clearly a warlord!

Perhaps, a woman of her kind would be worth having as wife. She could easily make his pain go away!
He has been on the hideout for years and soon, God would reward him with the throne of Israel. There were yet battles to be fought for the Lord.

You can read more about David’s sojourn in the wilderness here!

Indeed, a woman such as Abigail would be indispensable for calming his nerves, when he returned home.

Both parties departed in peace, going opposite ways. Nonetheless, David’s thoughts roamed wildly. Although, they were not geared towards coveting another man’s wife! (smiles)

Significant Truth

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

• Rage is evil. It can make one do or say things that one will regret in the long run. We must learn to live with the fact that offences will come. This already should form the basis of our actions when we relate with people. David had missed two opportunities to eliminate the very one who wanted to kill him at all cost and cut short God’s plan for him. However, David was neither angry, neither did he yield to the temptation of homicide.

You can read  this post  for more details

• However, here was a man who he was bent on killing, on grounds of insults and ill-mannerisms towards him. In overcoming the pressure not to retaliate to affronts, we must die to self, a desire for self preservation and appreciation for unrewarded efforts.
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• Achieving the above is a transformation of our minds via God’s Word, such that, even in the absence of appreciation and the presence of insults and derogatory remarks, we will not yield to sin.
  Its okay to be angry, but do not give anger a foothold (leading you to sin)! David’s anger almost led to murder! 
• As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.(Proverbs 11:22)
• Much more than beauty, Abigail was a woman of wisdom! There are so much truths to glean from this beautiful woman of the bible, as we shall see in the next episode!

Stay tuned for the last episode!

I hope you were blessed?

I’ ll love to hear your comments, based on this story (David and Abigail)

Thanks !