She Acted With Discretion - "Blessed Be Your Sensibleness"

 Abigail thought and acted quickly. "At once Abigail hastened," we read. Four times in this one account we find the same verb, "to hasten," used regarding this woman. She prepared a generous gift for David and his men. It included wine, sheep, roasted grain, cakes of raisins, and cakes of figs. Clearly, Abigail knew well what she had was thoroughly in charge of her household responsibilities, much like the capable wife later described the book of Proverbs. (Proverbs 31:10-31) She sent provisions ahead with some of her servants, then followed alone. "But, we read, "to her husband she told nothing." - 1 SAMUEL 25:18, 19. 

Does this mean that Abigail was rebelling against her husband's rightful headship? No; keep in mind that Nabal had acted wickedly against an anointed servant of Jehovah, an action that could well result in death for many innocent members of Nabal's household. If Abigail failed to act, might she become a sharer on her husband's guilt? In this case, she had to put submission to her God ahead of submission to her husband. 

Before long, Abigail met up with David and his men. Again, she hastened, this time to descend from her donkey and humble herself before David. (1 Samuel 25:20, 23) Then she poured out her heart at length, making a powerful plea for mercy in behalf of her husband and her household. What made her words effective? 

Next time: She Acted With Discretion - "Blessed Be Your Sensibleness - Conclusion

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