Variety: 1 Samuel 25v24–26

She [Abigail] fell at his feet and said: ‘Upon me alone, my lord, be the guilt; please let your servant speak in your ears and hear the words of your servant. My lord, do not take seriously this ill-natured fellow, Nabal… Now then, my lord, as the Lord lives and as you yourself live, since the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from taking vengeance with your own hand, now let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be like Nabal.  1 Samuel 25:24–26

Ever been a nano-second from pressing ‘send’ on that outraged, molten email to a colleague – when the phone goes?
Ever been on the brink of some act of retribution when something – or someone – presses pause?

Here David, incensed by Nabal’s disdainful insults, is on his way to slaughter every male in the landowner’s employ. The one called to be the shepherd of all Israel is about to unleash 400 seasoned warriors on a bunch of shepherds, sheepshearers, and household servants. And there seems to be nothing to stop him.

But clip-clopping towards them is a woman on a donkey. Nabal’s wife, Abigail.

Her speech is a masterpiece of humble, empathetic, Scripture-drenched persuasion, a gleaming example of how to speak to power when power’s finger is already on the red button. She reminds David of the laws of the God who David loves: revenge is the Lord’s, not yours (v31, Deut 32:35). She reminds him of the promise she knows God has given him: he will be king (v30).

David welcomes all that but sees beyond it to the character of the God behind Abigail’s intervention.

‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today!’

David sees God’s restraining grace.

We all need Abigails in our lives who point us to God’s restraining grace and the reassuring knowledge of his promise to provide a way out when we’re not even aware that we’re trapped.

Praise him for his mercy and grace.

Mark Greene