1. The wife of Nabal; later David's wife. Abigail's first husband, Nabal, was a wealthy man, but "harsh and evil in his doings". After the death of the prophet Samuel, David and his men moved into the area of Carmel in the Hebron mountains, where Nabal's flocks were pastured, and they protected Nabal's property. Hearing that Nabal was giving a sheepshearing feast, David requested that he and his men be invited. Following Nabal's refusal, David decided to use force. Abigail, hearing of this, took food supplies and rode out to meet David to convince him not to take vengeance and to prevent bloodshed. Returning home, Abigail waited for her husband to sober up from a drunken feast, and then informed him of her actions. "Nabal's heart die within him, and he became like a stone." He died ten days later. When this news reached David, he sent for Abigail and married her (I Sam chap. 25). Abigail accompanied David throughout his wanderings and was with him at Hebron when he became king (I Sam 27:3; 30:5). She bore him a son, Chileab, who is also called Daniel (II Sam 2:2; 3:3; I Chr 3:1).
2. David's sister or stepsister. In II Samuel 17:25 Abigail is said to be the daughter of Nahash and "sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother" and mother of Amasa. Some commentators believe Nahash to be another name for Jesse (following the Septuagint), David and Zeruiah's father (I Chr 2:16).
Concordance
ABIGAIL 1:
I Sam 25:3,14, 18, 23, 32,36, 39-40, 42; 27:3; 30:5. II Sam 2:2; 3:3. I Chr 3:1
ABIGAIL 2:
II Sam 17:25. I Chr 2:16-17
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