The Strength of Abigail: When Submission Means Standing for Righteousness
Bible Study: Abigail & King David
The Strength of Abigail: When Submission Means Standing for Righteousness
Introduction: The Misunderstood Power of Submission
Let’s be real: in today’s world, submission doesn’t exactly conjure the warm fuzzies. We hear the word, and what comes to mind? Doormat? Weakness? Passivity? For me, “submission,” always reminds me of Hillary Clinton’s scorn, during an interview in 1992, when she was asked about the ongoing allegations against her husband, Bill Clinton, and she responded by saying, "I'm not some little woman standing by my man like Tammy Wynette."
Enough said. I’ll let you chew on that for a bit.
Sadly, this is what modern culture often equates with Biblical submission: a wife tolerating sin, injustice, and harmful actions against miscellaneous women from her husband, all in the name of duty. But here’s the catch—biblical submission isn’t about submitting to sin or becoming someone’s personal puppet.
True Biblical submission is about aligning with God’s will, even when it feels counter-cultural, uncomfortable, or, let’s be honest, downright difficult.
Enter Abigail—one of the most misunderstood yet powerful women in Scripture. Abigail shows us that sometimes submission means standing up for what’s right, even when it means going against the man you’ve pledged your life to (because ultimately, there’s only The One). And there’s nothing “little” about it— it’s a bold kind of submission that requires a whole lot of belief, faith, and trust, in the One True God, and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Desert of Paran
Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael into the desert. | Illustration by Gustave Doré.
Abigail’s Story: A Woman of Wisdom in a Foolish Household
Let us set the scene: It is the time of King David, although not yet a king—he is on the run from the current king, Saul—who relentlessly pursues David. Meanwhile, David and his small band of men find themselves in need of provisions. They turn to Nabal, Abigail’s husband. However, Nabal is a man described as “harsh and badly behaved” (1 Samuel 25:3), a man whose character is far removed from grace.
When David’s men approach him for assistance, Nabal—whose name aptly means fool—responds with disdain, asking, “Who is David? I don’t owe him anything.” Charming. His attitude is one of pride and disregard, a troubling portrait of arrogance.
Gathering his men, David prepares to exact justice—and remember, this is the soon-to-be king who felled an “uncircumcised Philistine” with a single stone, so lethal force isn’t an issue for him.
However, Abigail, a woman marked by wisdom, or as the Bible describes her, “discerning and beautiful” (1 Samuel 25:3), steps in. Understanding that her husband’s foolishness will only lead to disaster, she acts immediately. She steps into the breach with grace—a true mark of one anointed by God—and prevents further calamity from unfolding.
Abigail’s Approach: Bold, Yet Humble
Abigail’s strategy was nothing short of genius. She didn’t throw Nabal, her husband, under the proverbial donkey, and she didn’t pull an, “I told you so,” on David. Instead, she reminded him of God’s promises and appealed to the higher anointing on his life.
Abigail says, “The Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt… And when the Lord has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you prince over Israel” (1 Samuel 25:32-33).
She’s saying, ‘Look, I know you’re the future king. And I’m asking you to be the man you were meant to be, the one the LORD created you to be, not the one who opens the door to sin by allowing anger to creep in and harden your heart.’
Yes. She ‘said’ all that.
She doesn’t manipulate him or beg for mercy. She trusts that God will speak through her, and that, my friends, is the heart of submission. Submission isn’t about losing your voice—it’s about trusting that God will use your voice to bring about His will.
The Outcome: Trusting God to Handle Injustice
So what happens next? David pauses. He recognizes Abigail’s wisdom, (who couldn’t), and in that moment, God softens his heart. He thanks God for sending her to him and tells her, “Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand” (1 Samuel 25:32-33). Abigail’s wisdom didn’t just save her family; it saved an entire community from unnecessary bloodshed.
Abigail couldn’t see how God was moving, but she believed in every promise He ever whispered to her, every promise He ever told her; so when she saw it unfolding, she stood back and watched her God be an Almighty God.
Abigail had faith and she gave support to fellow believers when they were lacking—and best of all, she did what God told her to do.
She had no confusion about the God she served.
God did not need Abigail to take matters into her own hands—and she knew it. She didn’t have to bring down Nabal herself, because God was already working behind the scenes. She didn’t see—but she knew He had everything covered, regardless of what the world around her looked like.
What would you have done? Listened to your foolish husband, or God? Listened to your fear, or God?
After Abigail returns home, Nabal dies suddenly (1 Samuel 25:37-38). God took care of the judgment—while Abigail focused on what she was called to—speaking wisdom and taking action in faith.
Saul Tries to Kill David
Artist :Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld
Lessons from Abigail for Today
Submission is not about enabling sin—it’s about honoring God.
Abigail’s submission wasn’t about sitting back and tolerating her husband’s foolishness. Abigails submission also wasn’t creating an idol in her husband’s image—it was about standing for righteousness, even when it meant going against the man she loved. Abigail understood that submission to God came first, and only then could everything else follow. Submission to God doesn’t mean passive acceptance of evil—it means actively doing what’s right, even if it’s uncomfortable, and trusting God works together all things for the good of those who love Him. It’s living out our faith— not just paying it lip service.
Wisdom is the boldest move.
Abigail didn’t shout or force anything. She chose humility, wisdom, and grace. Sometimes, the boldest thing you can do is speak with wisdom and let God do the rest. Have faith. He will. And then stand back and watch our LORD move!
Trust God with the outcome.
Abigail trusted that God would handle Nabal. And He did. In a world that demands we take control, Abigail’s story is a refreshing reminder that we don’t have to have all the answers or “fix” everything. God’s got it.
Submission is an active choice, not passive obedience.
Abigail didn’t go along with whatever was happening. She took responsibility for doing what was right, acting out of love for God and faith in His plan. Sometimes the hardest part of submission is doing the right thing—especially when others closest to you aren’t.
Conclusion: Abigail’s Legacy
Abigail’s story is a powerful reminder that submission is not weakness. It’s strength that comes from trusting God’s grace, justice, mercy, promises, sovereignty, and wisdom.
Sometimes, it takes more strength to trust God and speak truth than it does to take matters into our own hands. Abigail didn’t let her husband’s foolishness define her response; she let God’s will shape her actions.
So, the next time submission feels like the hardest thing to do, remember Abigail. Trust God, speak wisdom, and let Him handle the rest. In the end, God will always bring about His perfect plan.
Prudent Abigail by Juan Antonio Escalante
G.R.A.C.E. Method for The Strength of Abigail
And Here We Find Grace…
GRACE perfectly encapsulates the transition from striving, to resting, in God's presence—which is at the heart of the message. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, and it's through His grace that we are able to move from struggle to peace. I invite you to pause and reflect on God's presence, how you can connect to God’s grace in a meaningful way.
Our GRACE Method™ is meant to encourage you so you can experience YHWH, Immanuel, and the Holy Spirit, in a deeper way, on a regular basis, through thought provoking Bible Study, Prayer, education, and Worship.
Grounding in Scripture:
Read 1 Samuel 25:1-42. This chapter highlights Abigail’s wisdom and courage in the face of a potential crisis. As you read through her story, focus on her response to injustice and how her wisdom and discernment, Fruit of the Spirit, led to peace and prevented bloodshed.
1 Samuel 25:32-33: “And David said to Abigail, ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand.’”
Reflect on how God used Abigail’s wisdom to intervene in David's plans. How can you trust God's timing and work through you in moments of conflict or challenge?
Reflecting on Context:
Abigail’s wisdom wasn’t just in her words, but also in her action. She didn’t wait for her husband to do the right thing. She didn’t let her circumstances dictate her obedience. She stepped in, trusting God to guide her decisions.
Proverbs 2:6: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
How often do we wait for others to lead us, only to realize that God may be calling us to act boldly in His wisdom?
Reflect on any situations in your life where you've been waiting for someone else to do what’s right—where might God be calling you to step in with wisdom and courage?
Applying to Your Life:
Abigail acted out of obedience to God, not to please anyone else or for her personal gain. Her choice to speak truth was based on her deep relationship with God. Think about a situation in your life where submission might require bold action—where speaking wisdom or stepping into God’s will might look different from what others expect.
James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Do you have a current situation where you feel a lack of wisdom? Ask God for discernment and courage to speak and act according to His will, even if it means going against the tide.
Communing with God:
Abigail’s actions came from a place of deep trust in God. She didn’t control the outcome; she simply trusted that God would work everything together for His good purposes. In the same way, God asks us to trust Him, knowing that He will handle what’s beyond our control.
Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
In your prayer time, ask God for the strength to trust that His way is higher than your own, especially when you don’t understand the full picture. Give Him your concerns and ask for His wisdom in navigating difficult situations.
Exalting God:
Praise God for His justice, wisdom, and faithfulness. Abigail’s story is a testament to how God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary plans. Take a moment to reflect on the ways God has been faithful to you, guiding you through difficult decisions, and using you to bring about His will.
Psalm 25:4-5: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”
Worship God for His patience with us and His continual guidance. Offer your praise for the wisdom He grants and the trust He builds within us as we learn to submit to His will.
Worship in Faith
To help you dive deeper into these themes, here are three worship songs that connect with Abigail’s bold faith, trust in God, and submission to His wisdom:
"Trust in You" by Lauren Daigle
This song speaks to trusting God even when we don't understand His plans. It's a beautiful anthem of faith that parallels Abigail's trust in God to handle the situation, even when she had no control over the outcome.
"God of All My Days" by Casting Crowns
This song highlights God’s sovereignty over our lives. Like Abigail, who trusted God’s sovereignty, the lyrics remind us that God is present in all of our days—guiding, sustaining, and leading us to act in His will.
"King of Kings" by Hillsong Worship
Abigail recognized God’s sovereignty and greatness, and this song magnifies His role as the King of Kings. It’s a reminder that when we act in alignment with His will, we are submitting to the true authority and perfect wisdom of God.
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