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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

What a contrast we have before us tonight. You might call it “Beauty and The Beast.”

Abigail, so beautiful and Nabal, so beastly.

I.         THE BEAST–NABAL, THE FOOL.

            Nabal is a striking illustration of a man with a name indicative of his nature.

            The name Nabal means “A Fool.”

Nabal is described as “churlish and evil in his doings” (vs. 3), and his record proves him to be all that. Churlish means, a bear of a man, harsh, rude, and brutal.

            When David came to Nabal asking for food for his hungry men, he refused.

David set out to kill Nabal but Abigail, his beautiful wife, plead for the life of her unworthy husband as well as for the lives of all that he possessed.

Nabal did not possess any of the finer qualities of his wife who we will look at in a moment. He was greedy and selfish. Rich and increased with goods and gold, he thought only of his possessions and could be classed among those of whom it has been written:

                        The man may breathe, but never lives

                        Who always receives but nothing gives.

                        Creation’s blot, creation’s blank,

                        Whom none can love and none can thank.

From this chapter we also see that Nabal was also a drunken wretch, as well as being unmanageable and stubborn and ill-tempered. Doubtless he was often “very drunken.”

This wretch of a man was likewise an unbeliever, “a son of Belial,” who bowed his knee to the god of this world and not to the God of his fathers. “Belial” means “without profit, worthlessness; destruction, wickedness.”

Nabal was also a follower of Saul and so he possibly shared the rejected king’s jealousy of David.

Added to his brutal disposition and evil doings was that of stupidity, as his name suggests.

            Pleading for his unworthy life, Abigail asked for mercy because of his foolishness.

            (Look at verse 25)

In essence, Abigail was saying, “Pay no attention to my wretched husband for he is a fool by name, and a fool by nature.”

After Nabal sobered up from his drinking party, he was told of David’s threat to take his life and he apparently died of the consequences of being frightened.

II.       THE BEAUTY–ABIGAIL, THE WOMAN WITH BEAUTY AND BRAINS.

            A.        Abigail’s Name And Background.

                        The name Abigail means “Whose Father is Joy” or “Cause of Joy.”

                        Scripture gives us no clue as to Abigail’s parentage or genealogy.

Her religious witness and knowledge of Jewish history testify to an early training in a godly home, and acquaintance with the teachings of the prophets in Israel.

                        Her plea before David also reveals her understanding of the events of her world.

Of all the famous women of the Old Testament, she is believed to have been the wisest.

            B.        Abigail Was A Beauty With Brains. (Vs. 3)

                        1.         She was a woman of good understanding.

                                    Proverbs 2:1-15; 3:13-18; 4:5-9 

                        2.         She was of a beautiful countenance.

Today, many women try to cultivate beauty and neglect their brains.

                                    A lovely face can often hide an empty mind.

                                    But with Abigail, loveliness and intelligence went hand in hand.

We know that not everybody can be beautiful. Some of us only need to look in the mirror! We need to realize where beauty comes from–the LORD!

Even in her beauty, Abigail did not glorify herself, but rather glorified God!

If God blessed you with being beautiful, it is not for the purpose of your own personal vanity, it is for His glory!

            C.        Abigail Was A Woman Trapped In A Troubled Marriage. (Vs 3)

Why did such a lovely girl marry such a one as Nabal–A fool who was a drunk?

Remember that we have said before that marriage according to these times was largely a matter of family arrangement.

Nabal was of wealthy parentage and rich in his own right and thus seemed “a good catch” for Abigail. But character should be considered before possessions.

Many a woman in the world today made her own choice of a partner.

Perhaps she knew of his failures and thought that after marriage she would reform him, but found herself joined to one whose ways became more evil and she is now trapped in a troubled marriage.

We should caution our daughters, granddaughters, and other young women in our circle of influence of the great need to consider character of primary importance when choosing a mate.

True to the significance of her own name, Abigail experienced that in God her Father there was a source of joy enabling her to be independent of the adverse, trying circumstances of her miserable home life.

            D.        Abigail Was A Woman Who Had The Respect Of The Servants. (Vs. 14-17)

With her wisdom and godliness, Abigail had won the respect and faithfulness of the workers in her household.

            E.        Abigail Was A Woman Of Poise.

The author, Eugenia Price, wrote of Abigail as, A Woman With God’s Own Poise, said that, “Only God can give a woman poise like Abigail possessed, and God can only do it when a woman is willing to cooperate as Abigail cooperated with Him on every point.”

                        1.         She Was Resourceful And Capable. (Vs. 18)

                        2.         She Was A Woman Of Discernment And Discretion. (Vs. 19)

                        3.         She Was A Woman Of Humility. (Vs. 23-24)

                        4.         She Was A Woman Of Courage. (Vs 24)

As a Hebrew woman was restricted by the customs of her time to give counsel only in an emergency and in the hour of greatest need, Abigail, who risked the displeasure of her husband whose life was threatened, did not act impulsively, but boldly, in going to David to plead for mercy.

Some times it is hard for us to predict what the effect of our words and our actions on others will be.

The intervention of Abigail in the nick of time teaches us that when we have wisdom to impart, faith to share, and help to offer, we must not hesitate to take any risk that may be involved.

            F.        Abigail Was A Woman Who Showed That God Was In Her Life. (Vs. 28-31)

Added to her charm and wisdom was that of piety. She knew God, and although she lived in such an unhappy home, she remained a saint.

                        1.         She Spoke Words Of Truth.

                        2.         She Spoke Words Of Wisdom.

                        3.         She Spoke Words That Brought Peace. (Vs 32-35)

                                    David was pacified by the wisdom of Abigail.

            G.       Abigail’s Was Rewarded For Her Wisdom.

                        1.         She Was Delivered From Nabal. (Vs 36-38)

                        2.         She Was Desired By The King. (Vs 39-42)

Conclusion

In a world that has its share of Jezebels, it is refreshing to come upon the few Abigails of the world.

May God give us more ladies who have the spirit of Abigail:

1.         Women who are of good understanding.

2.         Women who have earned the respect of those who are over, under, and around them.

3.         Women of poise–

                        Resourceful And Capable.

                        Women Of Discernment And Discretion.

Women Of Humility.

                        Women Of Courage.

4.         Women who show God in their lives–

                        Women Of Truth And Wisdom Who Foster Peace.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!