Wednesday 1 August 2018

Abigail

This week, reading through 1 Samuel, I've encountered a woman called Abigail. 
We meet her after her husband has refused to honour David and his men for looking after his shepherds. The custom was that her husband, Nabal, should of given David and his company a gift - food and drink as a sign of appreciation/payment for their protection. 
Nabal refused. His servants know he's refused and are concerned about it, it's not like Nabal doesn't have plenty to spare, he just doesn't want to give David anything. The servants are worried, what's going to happen now? David is likely to be pretty angry, they are so concerned that one of them goes and tells Abigail. Why? What can she do? This servant goes, explains what happens and trusts her to do something. Abigail's character must of been one of strength and action. Otherwise the servant wouldn't of bothered her, but they knew Abigail was a woman to trust, a woman who does the right thing and has the power to do it.

Abigail gets going straightaway, she gets together a pretty impressive offering without her husband knowing about it (shows how rich he was not to miss amongst other things 200 cakes of figs!). She sends the offering off ahead of herself and follows along behind. She doesn't shy away, embarrassed of either her husband's actions, or trying to hide the fact that she's acted instead. She accompanies the gift she can give, she takes responsibility. She knows the decision of her husband, and she knows it wasn't right, so she does something about it. She doesn't confront him straight away, but she apologises straight away. She uses the authority she has to humbly apologise, not deflecting guilt, but taking it completely upon herself.

When Abigail meets David, she gets off her donkey and bows before him. This woman who has authority in herself, humbles herself into the dirt. 
Why? What for? For a man, her husband, Nabal. The kind of man who is described as a 'worthless man' by his servants, and known to live up to his name which means folly. Yet, Abigail, on his behalf, humbles herself. She acts as a noble wife. We can think of others around us as worthless and foolish at times, but how do we ourselves act? Do we take the responsibility we have and act in humility and justice as Abigail does? 
Abigail shows concern for David and his men and respect for Nabal. 
Abigail protects, fends for and takes upon herself the foolishness of her husband. She honours her husband and does her best to cover what would of been his shame, and accepts the guilt. She takes on the blame and intercedes for him. 

Abigail also honours David and his group, she takes what she can to give as a gift to them as a sign of appreciation. She approaches David with great humility, but also great strength. She bows in humility and yet speaks with authority. 

Abigail, she acknowledges who she is and who she isn't. This is what I admire about her - She knows the extent of her authority and doesn't overstep or under play it. She acknowledges both her worth and her weakness. 

No comments:

Post a Comment