Yesterday I grappled with the first portion of this passage. All. Day. Long. I just couldn’t see the big picture. I only read the passage of scripture that was selected for yesterday. I wouldn’t allow myself to read any further. I kept expecting revelation and was a bit disappointed with stopping in the middle of this chapter. When I finally discovered the glimpse of grace in Abigail’s impact in David’s life, I scribbled down the grace I discovered, shut my laptop, and couldn’t have imagined the depth this one act of grace would have in David’s life. Isn’t that just like God? Sometimes He only allows us to see just a glimpse and uses our seeking and grappling to go deeper and want more.

Abigail had a wisdom and beauty and trust in God beyond her years. She saw the bigger picture and laid down her own life before David with the intention of honoring Yahweh and His plan for His Anointed choice of Israel.

Here in Carmel, the fruitful and beautiful garden, we see the the fruit 🍉 🍎 🍌, or the lack thereof, of three different people.
David, anointed King filled with the Holy Spirit and bursting with fruit.
Abigail, wise, God-fearing, humble and fruit abounding in her character.
Nabal, rich, powerful, self-reliant, prideful, self-worshiper.

When David hears the discourse Nabal has with his men, David’s flesh comes screaming to the top. He’s human y’all! He didn’t come out of the womb sanctified, he has to overcome his flesh patterns and behaviors just like each of us has to do.

Abigail recognizes David as the anointed one. She sees the bigger picture. She is willing to lay down her own life in order to steer David to choose God’s Way and fulfill Gods greater purpose for Israel.

David is tempted to take matters into his own hands and murder an entire family to get his own revenge and satisfy his own rage for instant relief of his freshly feelings.

But Abigail does something that challenges David to choose the Holy Path and leave vengeance to Yahweh.

In the encounter on the road that surely would have left a negative and lasting impact on David’s legacy, Abigail enlists the power of the Holy Spirit and speaks life and truth about David’s identity in God. It is through this truth that breaks his intent for vengeance, and causes David to see the trap the enemy set for him.

What could have been a murderous and vengeful choice for David, was instead a humbling, fruit-growing moment for him. And the physical place of Carmel, became the spiritual reflection of a fruitful garden.

Thank you Jesus for the Abigails you have divinely appointed in my life. Your Holy Ones who challenge me, are wise, and speak to my identity in you. Thank you that you have given me many opportunities to die to my flesh and be raised to a life in your Spirit that will fulfill your bigger purpose in my life, in my Godly husband’s life, and in my children’s life.

Pray this with me…
Jesus, I entrust all of my days into Your hands. When I can’t see the bigger picture, I thank you for the grace and truth of the Abigail’s you divinely appoint in my life. When I am tempted to take matters into my own hands, I pray for your gracious intervention into my story. I know you have anointed me, appointed me, and will give me many opportunities to for the fruits of your Holy Spirit to grow within me. When the enemy tries to tempt me to walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I give you permission Jesus to shine your light and allow me to see instead the flourishing and fruitful Garden of Carmel. Your ways are so much higher. And nothing in the world can derail me or my family from your plans in my life.