Colossians 4: 6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” NKJV
My husband likes sports, golfing, and Jason Bourne movies. I like walking, cooking, and the Hallmark channel. We often chuckle at the truth of “opposites attract.”
In light of Nabal and Abigail, our differences seem petty. Talk about opposites! Notice I did not say “opposites attract,” for it is difficult to consider Abigail had any attraction to that man. Reading I Samuel 25, our hearts are sympathetic towards Abigail, for most likely hers was a typical arranged marriage, leaving her with no say in the union. Abigail had every right to be bitter, yet it was her husband Nabal who took that award!
While David and his men hid from Saul in the wilderness, David’s army approached wealthy Nabal seeking provisions in exchange for protection. Nabal rudely refused to help and foolishly delivered insults questioning David’s authority. By all rights, David was enraged.
It’s no surprise Nabal’s name meant “folly” or “foolish,” and he certainly lived up to it. Nabal chose to respond to David’s request with pride and arrogance, almost claiming many innocent lives. But looking closely at the story reveals another arrogant character: David. David’s pride filled him with humiliation that sought revenge.
When alerted of her foolish husband’s insults to David, Nabal’s wife, Abigail, set her emotions aside, saw the task before her, and quickly rose to the occasion. Abigail intentionally chose grace. If anger was in her heart, the reader is never aware of it. We see only Abigail’s humility and kindness that inspired humility and kindness in David. Gratefully, Abigail’s influence provided David the opportunity to rewrite this potentially volatile chapter.
Sweet Abigail surely had faults but scripture never mentions them. Historically, Abigail remains forever blameless. Sisters, I needed this sweet example, for when interruptions appear in my tight schedule or when circumstances don’t go my way, self- control is a challenge. More often than not, my angry-eyes pop out and words seasoned with salt and full of grace are hard to come by.
Pride is power-hungry, painting unrealistic views of ourselves and others. Pride leaves little room for extending grace to those who need it most. Pride prevents us from forgiving others and from offering merited compliments. Pride segregates us, hindering us from connecting with those outside our demographic. But, possessing the humility of Abigail is possessing the humility of Jesus, and sisters, that guarantees our best life.
Philippians 2:8 “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross.”
Father God, may we fill ourselves with a humility that overflows in kindness to others.
Blessings,
Rita Cochrane