Our relationship with the people around us is important. When we relate well with others and support the people around us, we make room for friendships. However, if we are mean and harsh to those around us and those we encounter, we open ourselves up for enemies. Nabal, the husband of Abigail, was brute and mean and his attitude almost ruined his entire estate and the people in it. On the other hand, his loving and caring wife made friends in high places because she was patient and kind. From the previous post, we saw how Nabal got a heart attack and ultimately died when he heard of his own folly and what it could have potentially led to. Abigail, the widow of Nabal, was married to a fool who would have probably made enemies for her through his foolishness. Considering the roles men played in the lives of their wives, Abigail was rather at risk without her husband. Should enemies of Nabal attack, she would have been without any husband to protect her. The patience of Abigail and her quest to resolve the potential effect of Nabal’s errors runs throughout the story. Unlike the popular beauty and prince charming stories we read, in this real life story, the beautiful and intelligent woman was married to a foolish, brutish and harsh man. Many women in the world are operating with the Abigail mantle. As good as they, their husbands have no regard for others. Some men are also married to foolish, brutish and harsh wives who have succeeded in driving everyone away from their home. So, men and women alike need the intelligence, patience and kindness of Abigail. Further, our beauty should not just come from physical adornment alone but from our hearts and attitudes. This kind of beauty sustains lives and opens doors for greatness. David saw and experienced the beauty of Abigail. Her humility to stoop low and apologize for an act she didn’t commit, her thoughtfulness to carry enough food for David’s men and her prayer for David’s throne to be established left indelible prints in the heart of David. His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, “David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife.” She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, “I am your servant and am ready to serve you and wash the feet of my Lord’s servants.” (1 Samuel 25:40-41) The king-in-waiting and the giant slayer was humbled by Abigail’s demeanor. David knew that Abigail was not an ordinary woman. He understood that the virtues she carries are important for managing people and for raising godly children. Therefore, “when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, “David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife.” (1 Samuel 25:39-40). David did not delay. He knew the importance of marrying a wise and intelligent woman such as Abigail. When David’s messengers arrived in Carmel, Abigail did not delay. “She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, “I am your servant and am ready to serve you and wash the feet of my Lord’s servants.” Abigail quickly got on a donkey and, attended by her five female servants, went with David’s messengers and became his wife. (1 Samuel 25:41-42). The speed with which Abigail accepted David’s marriage and the readiness to serve David might point to a bigger picture. Abigail, a well packaged woman, desirable for kings, was married to a rich fool. While in Carmel, she remained a widow, but Abigail knew that it would be better to be a wife of a giant slayer, than the widow of a foolish rich man. Without delay, Abigail became the wife of David. Abigail’s life turned around in just a short time. Her patience and kindness paid off. When David finally became the king of Israel, Abigail, also became the wife of a king. If we want to win certain battles in life, an attitude of Abigail is required. She was beautiful and intelligent, yet humble and kind. No matter where you are, your attitude can change your location or keep you in the same location. When we start valuing others, and we show kindness, we invest in people. The people we invest our love, goodness, kindness and compassion on would be the same people who will hold our hands to the top. Abigail invested kindness in David and she was led to the palace as the wife of a king. Instead of spending quality time complaining about what you don’t have, spend time to make others better and you shall become the best version of you.
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