Comment: Abigail was able to live with a husband who was “churlish and evil in his doings”, because she was a “woman of good understanding”. (verse 3).  Nabal, her husband, was insensitive to the righteous acts of David, whom most of Israel had known, was going to be the next king of Israel. (I Samuel 18:16). He lacked an understanding of the ways of God.

David, with his ragtag army, was constantly on the run from King Saul. He depended on loots from the raids of the enemies of Israel as well as donations from public-spirited persons for food. Upon hearing that Nabal was going to have a party, David, whose men had often defended Nabal’s workers in the field, requested for some food.

But Nabal scornfully rejected the request, thereby incurring the wrath of David. But, Abigail, warned of the impending doom, urgently embarked on a mission to defend her home.

The conversation between David and Abigail underscores the importance of spiritual understanding. While Abigail praised David for fighting “the battles of the LORD”, (thereby proving her to be a woman of understanding), David appreciated her for keeping him from shedding blood, and from avenging himself with his own hand. (Verses 28 and 33) She noted that he fought the “battles of the LORD”, meaning that God was with him. But even then David was quick to be entreated because he knew that vengeance is the LORD’s. Please read Proverbs 2:10,11; Romans 12:19.