"Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you." 1 Samuel 25:24 NIV
Abigail was a quick thinking woman whose actions saved many lives. When her husband, Nabal, refused David hospitality after David's men had provided protection to Nabal's men, David was so angry that he vowed to kill Nabal and all his men. When Abigail was told of this, she made a swift decision. She gathered food and, with some of her servants, went out to meet David. She appealed to his better judgement and calmed him down. Because of her diplomacy, the conflict was averted. In this story, we see a brave woman willing to confront an angry man, and also willing to act without her husband's consent even though that put her safety at risk. Her courage and good sense had a significant impact on the situation.
I pray that I will be brave when the situation demands it. I pray that I will put others welfare ahead of mine, even when danger is involved. Like Abigail, I want my focus to be on God's plan for his people and the world. Her story is also an encouragement that God will deal with people like Nabal in his time.
