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A level-headed woman

 [WOMEN of the Old Testament] 

ABIGAIL: A level-headed Woman_ 

1 Samuel 25:2-44 

How do you act / react in times of crisis? Often, the easiest thing to do is hope that someone else will act! It takes courage to believe that what you do will solve the crisis. It also demands insight into the situation at hand. 

 

[Group discussion starter] How would you define a fool? Can a fool help being a fool? 

 
The heroine in this story is a woman named Abigail, whose rich husband is a fool. (The Bible doesn’t mince words!) Despite the cultural restrictions on women in her day, Abigail acts courageously and with wisdom and insight, that prevents a massacre... 

 
[Read 1 Samuel 25:2-44] 

 

As this story begins, what is the life situation of the major characters in the story? 
 

 

From the facts we are given in the story, do you think David’s request of Nabal is reasonable? Why or why not? 
 

 

How is Nabal’s information about David different from that of the servants of Abigail? 
 

 

In verses 14-17, how do the servants regard Abigail? 
 

 

How does Abigail demonstrate her resourcefulness, and what risks does she take (verses 18-31)? 

 

How do you decide when you should be responsible to rescue others from their foolishness? 
 

 

In verses 28-31, what does Abigail understand about the plan of God in David’s life? 
 

 

What choice of phrases and words demonstrate Abigail’s intelligence and persuasiveness? 
 

 

Who does Abigail rescue by her actions? 
 

 

From the story, what ingredients are necessary for courageous action in crisis situations? 

 

 

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