Profiles In LeadershipSample

Ask people to name their favorite person in the Bible, and you’re likely to hear the name Abigail. Due to her rare courage, common sense, and some fabulous relationship skills, she single-handedly saved her family from certain destruction.

Following Samuels’ death, David moved to the Wilderness of Paran. There he encountered shepherds tending the flocks of the wealthy Nabal—an insolent, rude, and contentious man.

Nabal (whose name literally means “fool”) happened to be married to the beautiful, intelligent, and intuitive Abigail, and her wise leadership saved his miserable life.

You see, David and his men had treated Nabal’s shepherds and sheep very well during a tricky time. As a result, Nabal’s flock prospered—and David, needing food for his men—requested a simple act of generosity on behalf of his warriors.

Nabal (did I mention his name means “fool”?) acted as if he’d never heard of David, or his men, despite Nabal’s own shepherds vouching for David’s protection and kindness. That act of disdain led David to arm 400 of his men to avenge him.

After Nabal’s servants told Abigail of Nabal’s foolish move, she very quickly took steps to defuse a volatile situation.

She gathered a great feast and went out to meet David. Abigail’s decisive actions met the immediate need of feeding David’s men—and calmed David to the point that he diverted from his plan of avenging himself.

Upon her return home, Abigail kept her head and chose not to deal with Nabal until he was sober.

Regardless of her husband’s rudeness and inappropriate behavior, Abigail responded forthrightly and respectfully. God Himself later avenged David and removed Nabal from the equation.

But David never forgot his encounter with Abigail. He knew a woman of God when he saw one, and after Nabal’s death, he chose Abigail to be his wife.

Her patience and humility during difficult times, as well as her wisdom and problem-solving skills, prepared her to be an excellent wife for David.

David valued Abigail’s strength and felt greatly attracted to such a highly capable female leader, all because Abigail lived out the Law of Connection, which says, “Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand.”