Our Daughter's Name

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I'm not sure what the scene may have looked like, as the woman fell on her face before the future king. He and his men came with swords and vengeance; she came with gifts and humility.

The Bible describes this woman as "a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance," despite her husband's stubborn and ungodly nature. She is the epitome of Biblical submission and diplomacy. Jewish tradition reveres her as one of the most intelligent and beautiful women of their history. Her name means "father's joy" or "gives joy."

Her name is Abigail. 

Indeed, it does seem this woman of God did bring joy to her Father in her actions toward David and her first husband. Let me recount the tale....

"You, men, there! Send to Nabal of Carmel in Moan, of the house of Caleb, that he give favour to us in food and drink. As his servants are, so hope we to be welcomed." The man gave his orders as the future king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel.

"Yes, David, as you say. But this man-- great and mighty he is-- and with a reputation of evil and stubbornness. How shall we address him?" One of the young men spoke up.

"Thus shall you say to him that liveth in prosperity, 'Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.' Remind him of the goodness we showed his shepherds-- the shepherds of the sheep he now shears that bring him such wealth. Remind him of the protection we offered his shepherds and his sheep, so that none were lost or missing. Ask only that we receive food and drink as his servants would, for we come to him in peace and humility."

With swiftness in their step, the ten young men brought themselves before Nabal. The mighty man sat among his three thousand sheep and his thousand goats. With meekness, one of the young men offered the words of their lord David. ".... Ask thy young men, and they will show thee. If we do not find favour in your eyes, let your young men do so for our sake."

Disgust in his voice, Nabal replied, "Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? Surely, a servant who has run from his master. I do not know David. I will not give to men who I know not whence they be." His mouth turned in a snarl, and his heart turned in coldness.

Such a message the servants of David returned unto him. David understood clearly the spirit of Nabal, and righteous indignation rose within him. "Gird on your swords," David resolutely said to four hundred of his men. "We will repay Nabal for his dishonour."

As David and his men readied themselves for Nabal's destruction, one of Nabal's young men ran with haste to Abigail, the wife of Nabal. He had experienced the protection of David's servants while shepherding Nabal's sheep, and he witnessed Nabal's ungratefulness in return.

"Wife of my master Nabal, know and consider what thou wilt do; for destruction is determined for our master, and for all his household." The delicate lady of the house listened with serenity and thoughtfulness, as her husband's servant explained the whole of the matter to her. "Nabal is such a man of Belial, that a man cannot speak with him," the servant concluded.

Abigail considered the matter silently. Then, with certainty in her tone and determination in her look, she called to the servants of her household, "Make haste! Prepare two hundred loaves of bread, two bottles of wine, and five sheep for meat. Also, bring 35 dry quarts of corn."

To another set of servants she said, "Bring a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs as a sweet offering. Lay all these on donkeys to go before me. Make haste!" Abigail's servants began without delay to prepare according to her orders. Soon, Abigail, her servants, and all their offerings for David made haste to meet him in the way.

Meanwhile, David and his men had already begun making their way to the household of Nabal. "Nabal hath given me evil for good. All my good toward him has been in vain. All that pertains to him will not remain by morning light."

***
Abigail saw David just ahead. Sliding off her donkey, she ran toward David and fell on her face before him. "Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid."

With clarity of speech and humility of spirit, Abigail continued, "I did not see your young men sent to Nabal. Such as Nabal's name is, so is he, for folly is with him. Please accept this offering of peace from thine handmaid. I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid."

David considered Abigail's speech. "The Lord will certainly make you a sure house because you fight the battles of the Lord, and evil has not been found in you. Let your heart not take offence nor be grieved by this, that blood be shed without cause or that you avenge yourself. Rather, when the Lord has dealt well with thee, then remember thine handmaid." With her head bowed at his feet, Abigail finished her petition to David.

David's countenance became gentled before Abigail, and he said, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. Had you not made haste and met me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any living thing."

In reconciliation, David accepted the offerings of Abigial and said, "Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person."

***

Thus did Abigail, wife of Nabal, peacefully and humbly negotiate the life of her household.

Within the fortnight, the Lord repaid Nabal according to his evil doings; and when David heard that Nabal was dead, he took Abigail unto himself as wife.

A name is thought to be a prophecy of a child's character. With such a name sake, our daughter Abigail will be trained in the way of the Lord that she also might bring joy to her Father in peace, humility, diplomacy, and submission.

God bless you and keep you,

~Raquel