Hi friends! Welcome to the third post in the series, 1 Samuel 25. I hope you’ve all been having a Jesus-filled week. Today, I am continuing the series with ‘Taking the Reins’—looking at Abigail’s perspective and exploring what you should do if your spouse or boss is a fool.
אֲבִיגַיִל
‘Abigail’
Derived from the Hebrew root words אָב (av, meaning "father") and גִּיל (gil, meaning "joy" or "rejoicing").
Abigail means "my father is joy" or "source of joy."
We all know what it’s like to deal with someone who doesn’t make the best decisions. At some point, we’ve all had to make an executive decision about something that shouldn’t be our responsibility. It’s a common trope in movies: something dramatic happens, and the protagonist is caught between the orders of their boss and doing what they know is right. They take the risk, go against their orders, and after some tension, everything works out. The boss is humbled, everyone is safe, and we end happily.
Well… real life doesn’t always work like that.
In biblical times (and sometimes still today), a woman’s marriage was often more of a transaction than a love story. Marriage was used to elevate wealth or social status, providing security and protection for women. From what we read, Abigail and Nabal were polar opposites—she was discerning and beautiful, while he was arrogant and cruel (1 Sam. 25:3). It’s hard to imagine they came together naturally; their marriage likely had little to do with love and more to do with social and economic strategy.
We know Nabal was extremely wealthy and came from a great lineage. I bet he was thrilled to have a young, intelligent, and beautiful wife. He got the beauty, and she got the security.
But how much protection does a woman really have when she must go behind her husband’s back just to prevent disaster?
A Fool Cannot Lead
When the servant rushed to tell Abigail about Nabal’s reckless behaviour (1 Sam. 25:17), it wasn’t just an act of desperation—it was a sign of where the true leadership lay.
The servant trusted Abigail’s wisdom and discernment. He took a massive risk confiding in her, knowing she could have turned him over to Nabal for disloyalty. But something told him that she would act wisely.
And she did.
Abigail quickly took charge. She knew the gravity of the situation. She didn’t hesitate, she didn’t argue, and she didn’t waste time trying to reason with a fool. Instead, she took the reins and moved with wisdom and humility.
Though Abigail technically disobeyed her husband, her actions were not an act of rebellion but of righteousness.
Romans 13:1 states:
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” (NKJV)
Some take this to mean that any authority—good or bad—must be obeyed without question. But that’s not what this verse is teaching.
The true governing authorities are those appointed by God, not simply those installed by human systems. A ruler, husband, or boss who rejects God’s wisdom is not a legitimate authority in the spiritual sense.
Nabal was Abigail’s husband, but he was also a fool whose actions led to destruction.
Had Abigail blindly followed his lead, she and everyone else in their household would have suffered.
Wisdom in Action
Abigail’s wisdom wasn’t just in what she said, but in how she said it. She approached David with humility, acknowledging his calling and reminding him of God’s justice:
“You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” — Leviticus 19:18
In her plea, she wasn’t just saving her household but protecting David from sin. Her words acted as divine intervention, steering him away from vengeance and aligning him with God's will.
Look at what she didn’t do:
She didn’t shame Nabal in front of David.
She didn’t curse her husband despite his foolishness.
She didn’t use the moment for personal gain or manipulation.
Instead, she let her wisdom and faith in God guide her.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." — Proverbs 1:7
Foreshadowing Christ’s Redemption
There’s something deeper happening in this passage than just Abigail saving the day.
Abigail’s actions foreshadow the grace, love, and intercession of Christ.
Think about it:
She stood in the gap for Nabal as Christ intercedes for sinners.
She offered herself as a peacemaker, just as Christ offers peace between us and God.
She acted selflessly to prevent destruction, just as Christ laid down His life to save us from eternal ruin.
Abigail didn’t have to do what she did. She could have stayed silent, let events unfold, and watched the consequences. But she chose to step in because she knew foolishness leads to destruction, but wisdom leads to life.
God Will Handle the Fool
At the end of the chapter, Abigail finally tells Nabal what happened. And how does he react? He becomes paralyzed with fear (1 Sam. 25:37). Ten days later, the Lord struck him down (1 Sam. 25:38).
This is a powerful reminder:
You don’t have to fight every battle. You don’t have to argue with every fool. You don’t have to make things right yourself.
God is the ultimate Judge.
Nabal was so hardened in his foolishness that he completely cut himself off from wisdom, ultimately destroying him.
How Does This Apply to Us Today?
Abigail’s story teaches us a vital lesson: God moves in ways we don’t always understand.
Maybe you’re in a situation where following the crowd feels safer than standing for truth.
Maybe you feel stuck between obeying authority and obeying God.
Maybe you’re struggling to trust that God’s plan is better than yours.
We don’t always see the full picture, but God does.
"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." — Psalm 23:4
Abigail didn’t wait for perfect circumstances. She acted in faith, trusting that God’s wisdom was always higher than man’s.
And that’s what we are called to do.
So, take the risk. Step out in faith. Trust in Jesus.
Because the same voice that calls you to move is the same voice that promises eternal life.
Final Thought
"The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands." — Proverbs 14:1
Abigail built her house on wisdom. Nabal destroyed his through foolishness.
Which one will you be?
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for making the gift of your wisdom so easy to access. Thank you for clearly showing your wisdom and instruction and blessing us when we follow it. Please help us discern your voice in the quietest to the loudest moments and hold fast to the path you set out for us. Help us handle those who don’t follow you with grace and love and give us the courage to stand up for what is right in the face of adversaries. We love you.
Amen🙏🏼
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Bless you for your life dedicated to Truth and reality