After some time contemplating over the typhoon that hit–I decided to slowly resume my Bible studies. I wanted to write on David’s consultation of the LORD concerning Keilah when it was attacked by the Philistines. However, I felt like writing about David meeting Abigail in 1 Samuel 25 instead. This was a turning point in his life. Saul was after him and the godly prophet Samuel died. David was seeking refuge at that moment and he was refused.
If one reads further, one may notice that David’s first wife Michal was given away. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 tells us that a man can’t take back his divorced wife if ever he changes his mind. What a painful warning! Michal was given off to Palti, son of Laish, 2 Samuel 3:15 says that Michal was remarried. David not only violated God’s law by retaking a divorced or former wife but also by having many wives. David’s desire for many women ultimately led to his downfall in 2 Samuel 11-12 with a much younger woman named Bathsheba.
We can read how God provides for the better at times when the worst comes. David lost his former wife Michal Now, Nabal refused David help. But we can read that Abigail provided help when Nabal didn’t. I think Nabal was probably an ally of the wicked King Saul. David was more than ready to take things into his own hands. So much for him consulting the LORD first in regards to Keilah and leaving Saul to the same judgment. Fortunately, Abigail was raised to stop David.
This has me thinking how did Nabal and Abigail even marry? Since polygynous marriages were a common sin in that day–I think Abigail was a recent addition to Nabal’s collection. I think Nabal’s marriage to Abigal was a marriage of convenience. Abigail was probably arranged to marry Nabal because he was of the house of Caleb. Abigal is described to be pretty and kindhearted–it was a serious mismatch! I think Abigail was just recently married to Nabal since there’s no record they had children together and there was a feast. Also, Nabal means fool so why did his parents give him such a fitting name? though, it seems Nabal is a nickname given by the writer and not his actual name. Perhaps, Nabal’s real name was different and he was posthumously named as such for his actions.
Now, we must look at how David was wise to heed Abigail’s advice. Many times, we need friendly opposition. A friend’s harsh rebuke may be the best lifesaver–it hurts but it heals. David needed such advice because he was about to do something foolish. Eventually, 10 days later, the LORD struck Nabal for dead. David soon was thankful for the provision of Abigail. Eventually, David himself won a woman better than Michal as Abigail was beautiful inside out.
Yet, not even Abigail quenched David’s thirst for more women. Methinks that David should’ve stuck by Abigail. Yet, it was through Bathsheba that the Messianic line continued with both Solomon and Nathan. David decided to foolishly take Ahinoam of Jezreel (who bore him Amnon his wicked firstborn) when he had Abigail. Also, to try and recover a godless woman like Michal was foolish because her actions later proved that she wasn’t worth the 200 foreskins that David got.
This would make any Christian think about one’s attitude towards God’s blessings and chastisements. God can give better blessings. But are these blessings taken for granted? David had to pass through such painful chastising before Abigail came into his life. How often do I find myself wanting to be blessed without suffering to get it? This also asks of do we get tired of God’s blessings wishing to go back to the past or pursue other secular stuff? David decided to go after Ahinoam for some reason–something I believe distressed Abigail. In fact, David had a child first with Ahinoam instead of Abigail proving he had messed-up priorities too. 2 Samuel 2:2-5 tells us David took more wives–the reason why his household was a mess. David couldn’t discipline his children because he had so many wives. We ought to cherish what God has given instead of going after what He doesn’t want in our lives.
Reformed Baptist Christian Blogger 