Swords and Stones, The Story of Abigail

Excerpt from "For Such a Time as This: Stories of Women from the Bible, Retold for Girls" by Angie Smith

We want to read the Bible with our kids, but many of the stories are written for adult ears. This is one reason I've enjoyed Angie Smith's book, For Such a Time as This: Stories of Women from the Bible, Retold for Girls. In this, she helps young girls understand the character of God and the character God wants to grow inside them as they read and learn about the women of the Bible. She also includes a prayer for us to pray over our child(ren). I recommend this book for young girls grades 3-7.

Today, I'm sharing an excerpt she wrote on the story of Abigail, so we can help our kids learn what it means to wait on the Lord for His guidance and presence.

It didn't surprise Abigail that her husband, Nabal, had let his temper get the best of him again, but this time the consequences were disastrous. David and his men were now headed straight for Abigail's house, and the men weren't going to leave until Nabal's entire family was dead.

David was on the run from King Saul, who had become a madman. For a while, Saul had adored David because his soothing harp brought peace when nothing else would. But when King Saul realized that people were beginning to love David more than him, the king's jealousy turned love into hatred, and he became determined to murder David.

While David was hiding from King Saul, he was asking for help from anyone he could. He remembered a wealthy man named Nabal whom he had protected in the past, so David sent a request to him for food. Instead of returning the favor, Nabal ridiculed David and refused to give him a single meal. David was furious, and now he was out for revenge. All of their lives were at stake, but Nabal was too stubborn to care.

Of course, Nabal had heard the stories of David. Everyone had. David had been chosen by God when he was just a boy shepherding his father's flocks, and one day he would be their king. Whenever his name came up in conversation, so did the story of the stone.

"One stone," they would whisper in awe. "All the strongest men in the army were too scared to fight again, the great giant, but David defeated Goliath with just one stone." David was a legend, a hero, and their future leader. But none of that mattered to Nabal, he couldn't see past his own pride.

Abigail knew she had to do something, and she quickly called to her servants. They loaded up several donkeys with bread and meat, raisins and fig cakes. If she could just get to David before David got to them, maybe she could make things right. "Go on ahead," she called to the servants. "And when you get to him, tell him I am coming."

She hurried down the mountain, and when she reached the bottom, she could see David and his four hundred men in the distance. There, in the shadow of the great mountain, she climbed from her donkey and ran to him, falling at his feet.

"Please, my lord, let the blame for all of this be on me alone," she begged.

"I didn't know you had asked for food, or I would have gladly given it to you, especially knowing what you have done for us in the past." David listened.

"My husband has made a terrible mistake, but you are about to make a terrible mistake in return." She paused, praying her words would change his mind. She knew she was taking a chance, but she also knew that she was speaking truth.

"You will one day be king over all this land, and you don't want to look back and regret this. This is not a battle God has called you to fight, my lord. Let Him take care of Nabal instead," she finished, her eyes still focused on David's feet. Her heart pounded as she waited for his response.

David considered all that she had said, and he knew she had protected him as much as she had protected her own husband. She was right; he didn't want the blood of Nabal on his sword, staining his legacy with a hasty decision. If he killed Nabal and his people, he would be no better than Saul.

"Praise God for sending you to me today," David said softly to the woman. "Your wisdom and kindness have saved us all from harm. Please, go home in peace." He watched as she rose up from the ground and walked slowly to her donkey. Her knees were stained with the dirt of bowing in humility.

As she faded into the heights of the mountain, her words continued to soothe him like a delicate harp.

When Abigail told Nabal what had happened, he went into shock and died ten days later. The Lord had taken revenge instead of David, and David's name was left untainted as a result of heeding Abigail's wise advice. Once again David sent his men to the house of Nabal. This time, it was not to request a hand of help, but rather a hand of marriage. And once again, Abigail bowed low to the ground in humility, accepting his offer.

She knew the truth all along, of course: swords and armies were no match for a man who sought the heart of God. She traveled back down the mountain, all the way to David, honored to hold the hand that had once thrown a small, smooth stone of faith into a battle he was called to fight.

HE

The Lord is wise beyond measure, and He uses this wisdom to guide our steps and determine how we are best used for His kingdom. He has all the details we don't have, and He knows when it's best to give and when it's best to withhold. In His infinite wisdom, He invites us into a relationship with Him where we can know Him and listen as He leads us.

ME

Being prudent means that we wait for the right time to do the right thing. We don't act out of our own impatience, and we don't give in when our minds tell us we have to get our way. When we wait on the Lord, asking for His guidance and presence, we will know when it's time to act and when it's best to hold our opinions and our actions close instead.

SHE

Lord, give _______ a strong desire to act according to Your will, in ways that are well-watered with Your grace. Help her to hold her tongue when she wants to speak from her own hurts and to be someone who listens for Your voice and moves when You call her in exactly the way You call her. Let her learn the art of waiting (Ecclesiastes 7:8) and of discerning when You are urging her to go forward. When she has done this, bring her the peace that comes from living alongside such a good God and the security that belongs to those who rely on Your wisdom before our own.

"Arek" (aw RAKE) is the Hebrew word for "patient."

The memory verse for this story is 1 Samuel 25:28 ESV:

For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the LORD. - 1 Samuel 25:28 ESV

Excerpt from "For Such a Time as This: Stories of Women from the Bible, Retold for Girls" by Angie Smith

Reading cultivates curiosity. Let's be curious and intentionally choose to learn from people who have fruit present in their lives. In doing this, our strength builds and our joy is renewed. Making time to read uplifting stories offers peace that God is moving all around us, and we are able to rest in His truth and connection with others.

The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.