1 SAMUEL 25

ABIGAIL PROVIDES FOR DAVID + HIS MEN

Upon Samuel’s death, the people of Israel mourn. Samuel is faithful to God throughout a tumultuous and trying time for the nation.

Aiming to avoid Saul, David continues traveling. While he is in the wilderness of Paran, David and his people watch the sheep of Nabal and Abigail, a wealthy couple. When Nabal returns, David asks for food, since they had been caring for his livestock. Nabal refuses to feed David and his men, which greatly angers David.

One of Nabal’s servants informs Abigail of the dispute and Abigail is upset with Nabal’s denial of David. Abigail prepared a lot of food, including two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred fig cakes! Abigail diffuses the situation with her generosity and discernment. Because she knew David’s future as the king, Abigail prevents David from making a rash, violent decision.

Nabal gets very drunk, so Abigail waits to tell him that she fed David and his men. Nabal does not take this news well and suddenly dies ten days later. After Nabal’s death, David marries Abigail, as well another woman, Ahinoam. Saul had previously taken away his daughter Michal, David’s first wife, and given her to another man.