25:1-44

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David marries Abigail

(1Sa 25:1-44)

At this point we are told that Samuel died (1Sa 25:1).

David, at the time, was having trouble supporting his six hundred men.

It seems that his men provided protection for farmers against the raiding Philistines (see 1Sa 25:16, 21), and then demanded that the farmers pay them by giving them food supplies (see 1Sa 25:8, 18, 27, 35).

One wealthy farmer, Nabal, refused to pay and insulted David. Furious at Nabal’s response, David set out with four hundred of his men to deal with him (1Sa 25:2-13).

Only the quick thinking and wise advice of Nabal’s wife, Abigail, stopped David from killing Nabal and his entire household.

She sent David the required food supplies (1Sa 25:14-22) and reminded him to keep trusting in God to defend him and destroy his enemies. Certainly, he was not to do anything he would later regret (1Sa 25:23-31).

David was thankful for Abigail’s provisions and for her advice. Events soon proved her words to be true. God removed David’s enemy when Nabal suffered a stroke and died (1Sa 25:32-38).

David then married Abigail, and in so doing became part-owner of a large and prosperous farming area in Judah (1Sa 25:39-42).

He lost Michal, however, when Saul took her and gave her to someone else (1Sa 25:43-44).