Abigail's heart thundered in her chest. The sway of the donkey's hips did little to soothe her. The motion normally relaxed her, and freed her mind for all kinds of thoughts and musings. Right now, she felt as if she was sitting on needles, and her back was at a straight, stiff angle. Those distractions made her feel like she was about to fall off with each dip left then right then left again.
The clap-clap of hoof against rocky dirt sounded ahead of her. It was the only sound coming from the young men. They were all quiet. Abigail was sure their nervous thoughts mirrored her own.
What would happen when they met up with David and his men?
The thought was the reason for the pins and needles sensation in her body, her rigid posture, and rapid heartbeat. What was going to happen? Would they be pardoned? Would they be killed? Would Nabal's foolishness cost them everything? Abigail only hoped they weren't too late.
There was thunder in the distance. She pulled the reign on her donkey, and slowed to a stop. There were no clouds in the sky. Not even the dark night could hide that fact. So that could only mean....
Horses. A lot of them. And they were close.
Abigail looked back over her shoulder. Maybe instead of taking the heat for Nabal, I should have run. Maybe this was the chance for me to leave that abusive man, and now I've blown it. This mess isn't my fault, the servants fault, or anybody else's. It's all Nabal's fault. Why am I doing this?
Abigail didn't have to wonder long. Mostly because they were here.
Her donkey rounded a bend on the path, and her donkeys and the servants all waited in an odd-shaped cluster, with an army of men, horses, and torches. Even from her perch on her small donkey, Abigail could see the gleam of the swords. In the epicenter of the ragtag army was a handsome man on a strong mare. Command and anger radiated from his straight back and arched shoulders, and his eyes still shone like fire in the dark light.
There was no time to waste. The man, whom she could only presume was David, looked like his anger could only be contained for so long. Abigail practically jumped from her donkey. She walked very slowly towards David. She kept her head down low, and didn't raise her eyes to his. Walking as fast as she dared, she went right up to the group. Soon she could feel the heat from the torches and the hot breath from the horses on her face.
Abigail dropped to the ground. Her body went instinctively into the most submissive bow. Rocks cut and dug into her knees and hands, and she could taste the dirt on her lips. "On me alone, my lord, be the guilt." She spoke loudly so the ground wouldn't garble up her message. When after a moment no one had answered her plea, she continued. "Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant."
She raised her head a little, daring to peek at the mighty man of war.
David nodded his head at her to continue, and she finally heaved a sight of relief.
Based on 1 Samuel 25:19,23-31
I think it's really important to note Abigail's attitude here. She went to David, flopped on her face, and said, "Let the blame be on me alone." How many of us would have done that? I know that if it had been me, I would have said something like, "It was all Nabal's fault! Let the blame be on him. Spare the rest of us!" I wouldn't have taken responsibility for something I hadn't done-especially something as awful as that. I, like everyone else in the world, despise taking the blame for something that was never my fault.
I can think of Someone else who did the exact same thing.
"He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:22-24
It's not about always being right, or in charge, or having the last word in an argument. It's about making a way for others. Abigail made a way for her household to be saved from David's wrath. God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit made a way for us to be saved from the devil's plan for us. They provided a way for us to spend eternity with them. Everything the Apostles did was to make a way for the people to come to know Jesus. They were tared and feathered, boiled in oil, beheaded, beaten, crucified, shipwrecked, thrown in prison, and scourged. They were blamed for things that weren't true, and when necessary, refuted those claims. However, their first and foremost goal was to further the kingdom.
"Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:18-21
In 1 Peter 2:22-24, we just read about how Jesus had no guilt, and yet he died for our sins. It's no mistake that these are the verses right before that. In the past, I have glazed over this part. I mean, we don't really have servants and masters anymore. However, that doesn't make this portion of Scripture any less relevant today because we are always in submission to somebody.
Our walks, our lives, our ministries are not about being right, or in charge of every project, or having the last word in an argument. It's about submission to the will of the Father. It's about humbling yourself, so that a way can be made for others to come to Christ. And sometimes, it means humbling yourself and taking the blame, so that God may be glorified. It's a gracious thing indeed.
V. Joy Palmer
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