«Thank God for your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands» (l Samuel 25:33).
Collins’s Dictionary defines diplomacy as «the activity or profession of managing relations between the governments of different countries;» “the skill of being careful to say or do things which will not offend people;” “tact, skill, sensitivity, craft.” I chose those three definitions because, to a certain extent, they encompass what courageous Abigail set in motion when meeting David.
Her husband, Nabal, owned many properties, had a bad disposition and was very stingy in his actions.
David and his men needed supplies, and David sent ten men to ask Nabal for help, reminding him of the protection he had afforded his shepherds.
With disdain, Nabal emphatically turned down David ‘ s request, mocked his place of origin and, with irony, ignored his duty to serve his neighbor who had already done a good deed for him.
David set off to execute a massacre that would be famous and totally fatal. But news reached Abigail’ s ears, and with wisdom she quickly laid out a strategy to save both «sides.»
She sent an abundant supply of food ahead of her to meet the needs of the future king, who marched toward her ranting about his luck and boasting vengeance.
Then, she presented herself before him, bowed down to the ground, took the blame for everything that had happened, explained her husband’s wickedness and bad temper, interceded for his life, offered him a gift, asked for forgiveness and wished David a long lasting reign and long life, filled with the Lord’s fulfilled promises. She made the furious man reason and showed him that his record would be tarnished by the unnecessary action he wished to carry out.
David gladly accepted the message full of grace and wisdom that came from the beautiful woman ‘s lips and with an oath, gratitude and acceptance of her gift, departed and left Nabal unharmed.
We are told of Abigail, «These words could have come only from the lips of one who had partaken of the wisdom from above. The piety of Abigail, like the fragrance of a flower, breathed out all unconsciously in face and word and action. The Spirit of the Son of God was abiding in her soul. Her speech, seasoned with grace, and full of kindness and peace, shed a heavenly influence» (Patriarchs and Prophets, ch. 65, p. 667).
What mayhem will we prevent today through our peaceful words?