Abigail

Pondering the character and conduct of Abigail this morning in 1 Sam 25. The name Abigail means: Abigail #1 (ab’-e-gul) = Father of exultation; father of joy; cause of joy; the joy of my father; exultation; joy; gladness; my father is joy. She was a cause of joy, perhaps, to her father? From her character and conduct one can imagine that she lived up to her name, although her marriage to Nabal was unfortunate (did her father give her in marriage to Nabal because he was wealthy? It seems like a genuine possibility).

We find her both honest enough to admit the character of her husband (which his servants also recognize and admit, this was not an embittered woman making things up) and filled with tact, diplomacy, and wisdom as she recognizes the slight to David's character by not reimbursing him for protecting Nabal's interests, and acts quickly to defuse the situation. She was also faithful to her worthless husband.

Her humble response to David's marriage proposal (she knew somehow that God had anointed David as the future king of Israel) reveals again her wisdom and tact. One imagines that she was a good wife to her (new) husband.