Who was Abigail?
The story of Abigail is mentioned in the first book of Samuel chapter 25. Abigail was a wise woman (v. 3), the wife of Nabal of the house of Caleb that lived in Maon. Nebal was a very rich man (v. 2) but he was selfish and wicked (v. 3).
When David and his army where on the run from King Saul, they reached Nabal’s land. And, David sent his men to Nabal to ask for some supplies as they were in need (v. 4-8). But Nabal mocked David and refused to help him (v. 10). So, David ordered his four hundred men to attack Nabal (1 Samuel 25:13).
But the servants of Nabal informed Abigail his wife how David’s men were very good to them, and protected them and their sheep while they were in the fields. And they added that because of Nebal’s response they will now all face harm (v. 14-16).
So, Abigail quickly took food for David (v. 18). And when Abigail saw David, she said: “Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal… And now this present which your maidservant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord…” (v. 25-31). Then, David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the LORD God of Israel… And blessed is your advice… because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand” (v. 32-33).
At this time Nabal was holding a kingly feast in his house and he was very drunk. But when he got sober the next day, his wife told him what she did and how she saved the whole family. When he heard this, his heart was stricken with fear and he got paralyzed. After ten days, that the LORD struck Nabal, and he died (v. 37-38).
And when David heard of the death of Nebal, he sent a word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife (v. 41) and she agreed. Abigail’s wisdom and prudence saved her family, David, and his army from the shedding of blood. And the Lord judged Nabal for his evil.
Did Abigail inherit Nabal’s property?
The Bible doesn’t specifically mention that Abigail inherited Nabal’s property. But it is assumed that when a husband passes away, his wife becomes the legal inheritor of his estate.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
