Abigail- mom2mom
Dear Abby: I need some urgent advice regarding my wealthy husband Nabal, who is a very harsh man. He insulted David the son of Jesse, who guarded our livestock and kept our men safe while in Carmel. He refused to share provisions with David and his men offering no appreciation for the services rendered. Both our families come from the tribe of Judah. He has disregarded the Law of Moses. He even asked “Who is this David?” How can he pretend not to know the man who defeated Goliath? He pretty much called him a traitor. One of Nabel’s servants who witnessed the situation came to me in secret and told me what happened. He feels evil is determined for our master, and his household. Help! What should I do?
Question 1: When you are navigating through tough situations, where do you turn to for help to solve the problem: a friend, internet, an expert, or research?
Too often we value human wisdom rather than God’s wisdom.
Read James 3:13-18
Question 2. How is wisdom described in verse (14, 17) by his conduct, works of meekness, pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere
Question 3. How is wisdom which is not from above described in verse (14.-16) bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, boast and untruthful.
Read Proverbs 2:1-9 separate into two columns what our responsibilities are for gaining wisdom and then what God does for us.
List what we need to do:
Receive my words
Treasure up my commandments
Incline your heart to understanding
Raise your voice for understanding
Seek it like silver
Search for it as hidden treasure
Result: then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find knowledge of God
List what God will do:
He’ll give you wisdom, knowledge and understanding
Will give you a store house of sound wisdom for the upright
He will be a shield to those who walk in integrity
He will guard the paths of justice
He will watch over the saints
You will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path
Question 5. Where do you turn for wisdom?
Question 6. What is the difference between the wisdom of the world and what the Bible teaches regarding wisdom.
Abigail did not have time to brush up on her theology and work on her relationship with the Lord. Time was of the essence.
Applications of Wisdom we can glean from Abigail:
- Abigail was wise and determined- she chose her words carefully, she was calm and calculating, and promoted a peaceful solution. (Proverbs 15:1) her words were obliging, respectful, humble, submissive, asked David to hear her, she did upbraid him or correct him, and she let David’s conscience lead him to the correct choice. Abigail knew the benefits of using a soft answer which clearly was not a weak one. The substance was firm, but the language and spirit were gentle which made the answer hard to resent.
- Abigail was willing to take the blame in attempt to save her husband and the household. Generous spirits can be content to suffer for the faults of others. She was sincere and had strength and concern for her household. 25:24,28
- She excuses her husband’s faults by blaming it on his natural weakness and lack of understanding, it wasn’t spiteful. 25:25
- She is perceptive that David heard her point. 25:26
- She does not depend upon her own reasoning’s, but God’s grace which would work powerfully in David not to shed blood to avenge himself. 25:33
- When Abigail offered the gifts, she spoke of it as unworthy
- She compliments David for all the good services he has done against the common enemies. 25:28
- She assures David, amidst his present troubles (Saul, although she didn’t mention him) God would a)keep him safe, b)God would be victorious over his enemies c)God would settle him in wealth and power 25:29
- Asks David to consider how much better it is to forgive than seek his own revenge
- Abigail used discretion- waited for the right time to tell Nabal
- Abigail was a strong woman. She was the mistress of a large household. Her servants had witnessed her character, and prudent management
- Abigail was brave. She was willing to meet difficult situations head on
Think of the impact a wise woman can have on the life of a man!
