Abigail: A Woman of Beauty and Brains

Are there Abigails in our midst today, in the church, in the home, or in the community?

Mrs. Maxima F. Yap is the Shepherdess director for the Western Mindanao Conference in the Philippines.

The Bible tells of many women who were honored by God because of their role in the special ministry. One of them is Abigail who was described as "A woman of good understanding and a beautiful countenance" (1 Samuel 25:3, KW) or an "intelligent beautiful woman" (NIV).

Beauty and brains seldom go together perfectly, but Abigail had them both. Even without seeing her actual face, one could visualize what she really looked like. Perhaps if she lived in our day, she would have been a beauty queen—a Binibining Pilipina or a Miss Universe candidate. However, beauty is less emphasized in this articulation. The Bible emphasizes her good understanding or extraordinary discernment.

Who was this woman Abigail? The Bible is silent about her family background, she is introduced simply as the wife of Nabal who was mean and snobbish, "churlish and evil in his doings." Nabal lacked gratitude. He paid evil for good. David and his men had protected Nab al's flock in the hills of Carmel, but he refused to recognize such favor. Hence, David and his 400 men decided to go on a hunger strike until the whole household of Nabal was annihilated.

What really made Abigail great was her agility and sweet-natured disposition. Instead of nagging or blaming her selfish and callous husband, she devised a unique plan to save the entire household. Her actions turned anger into sublime admiration. She was a woman of peace with an uncalculated love for truth. She was never a firebrand to kindle tumult. She was hard working and never clogged her mind with empty talks, gossips, or tale-bearing. Her devotion to accomplish something worth­while was unrelenting. Had she been idle and careless, she could have caused a blood bath to her very own family. But her timely appearance on the scene caused David to say, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this day to meet me" (verse 32).

The words of David were expressions of explicit admiration for Abigail's heroic and selfless deed. The advice she gave was fitting. No flatterer! Hence, David felt that Abigail became the most unsung hero—the woman of the hour.

Are there Abigails in our midst today, in the church, in the home, or in the community? Are house­wives playing their roles as makers of peaceful homes and communities? Are there housewives who know how to cool off their husbands' heads in times of trouble? Are there modern Abigails who can spurn petty arguments that can cause upset and try to find the best measure to perfume the sullied relationships among members of the family, the church, and the community?

Today God's people are standing on the threshold of uncertainty. Many husbands are drawn to commit crimes because of the careless dealings of their wives. Juvenile delinquency has become a pestilent situation because community leaders become desperate in dealing with it.

The call of God for modern Abigails is exigent. The remnant church needs women of good understanding to help prepare souls for heaven.

Mrs. Maxima F. Yap is the Shepherdess director for the Western Mindanao Conference in the Philippines.