Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 25:1-34 (day one)
“Let this gift. . .be given to the young men who accompany my lord. Please forgive the transgression of your maidservant.”–v 25-28.
Not unusual, I suppose. A beautiful, intelligent woman is married to a surly, foolish man.
1 Samuel 25 tells Abigail’s story. When her husband makes a decision that endangers the family, Abigail intervenes with the skill of a diplomat. She does not cover for Nabal (no excuses for him) but neither does she allow herself and family to be victims of his foolish choices.
When the Bible teaches a wife to be submissive to her husband, it does not mean for her to be paralyzed or passive. Just as David found a way to honor Saul’s authority but to stay away from his anger (1 Samuel 20), so Abigail illustrates for us a path that is both submissive AND shrewd.”
“The children of this age are (often) more shrewd than the children of light”–Jesus (Luke 16:8)
It is always dangerous to act in a passive submissive manner. Abigail understood her husband personality and his weaknesses and acted in an active submissive manner that helped turn the situation around.
She was a woman with wisdom and determination and was the right type of woman needed in crisis, in a make-or-break situation.
Wisdom and determination evidence themselves in Abigail’s actions. Her humbled actions saved her husband life and others, in my view. Abigail’s story is amazing and we can learn a lot from her.