Abigail Bible Study

Each of us can point to someone who makes life complicated. It could be a coworker, a family member, or even a spouse. Sometimes it's easy to let circumstances like this control our thoughts, words, and actions. We react, rather than act...and find ourselves frustrated -- our ourselves and the situation. But does this have to be the way it is? One woman of the Bible shows us that there is a better way. The way of wisdom. The way of hope. The way of Jesus. In this six-week Bible study, journey along with Abigail as she uses her influence in two men's lives-- with different results. See how the empowerment of the Holy Spirit can help you deal with difficult people...without becoming difficult yourself.

A difficult husband, a crisis with a young warrior, a warning from a distressed servant, and an opportunity for a beautiful woman to save her household is the theme for Abigail: Woman of Wisdom, Courage, & Action. This is meant to be a 9-week Bible study with classes being held each week in a small-group setting. Even though this study is based on a story from the Old Testament, you will meander through the entire Bible. Subjects such as wifely submission, humility, anger, murder, greed, the human heart, and the armor of God will be discussed. There is no homework in this study. Instead, you will read the Bible, answer and discuss the questions, and pray together. Learn about God's sovereignty and that relying on the Lord is just as important for us today as it was for people in Biblical times.

As we navigate the challenging issues and complicated relationships in our lives today, it is essential that we seek the Lord’s face or we may be tempted to respond with indifference, fear, or isolation. It is also helpful to consider the godly role models God has given us in the Bible. Abigail’s Story reveals a woman who responded with strength and faith even as she encountered some very difficult circumstances. The humility of her heart provides a beautiful example. Her sacrificial service makes a powerful impression. And the depth of her trust in God is infectious as we press on to become women of strength and faith. Through her experience, we see God’s complete provision for answering his call to significant ministry and responsibility. This study of Abigail also explores how her character qualities and actions originate from the very heart of God. Highlighting this reality should encourage us to delight in making him known through our daily walk, as well. Examining the evidence of God’s unconditional love, sovereign purpose, and faithful presence in Abigail’s life should strengthen our own faith and trust in Him. And finally, following Abigail’s example should infuse us with confidence as we interact in a needy culture and face an unknown future, knowing we serve a God who is alive and in control.

A Woman Through and Through In a culture that can belittle womanhood on the one hand—making it irrelevant—and glorify it on the other—making it everything—it’s hard to know what it really means to be a woman. But when we understand womanhood through the lens of Scripture, we see that we need a bigger category for what God has called “woman.” This book breathes fresh air into our womanhood, reminding us what life in Christ—as a woman—looks like. When we see that we are women in all we do, we can be at peace with how God has created us, recognizing womanhood as an essential part of Christ’s mission and work.

As we navigate the challenging issues and complicated relationships in our lives today, it is essential that we seek the Lord’s face or we may be tempted to respond with indifference, fear, or isolation. It is also helpful to consider the godly role models God has given us in the Bible. Abigail’s Story reveals a woman who responded with strength and faith even as she encountered some very difficult circumstances. The humility of her heart provides a beautiful example. Her sacrificial service makes a powerful impression. And the depth of her trust in God is infectious as we press on to become women of strength and faith. Through her experience, we see God’s complete provision for answering his call to significant ministry and responsibility. This study of Abigail also explores how her character qualities and actions originate from the very heart of God. Highlighting this reality should encourage us to delight in making him known through our daily walk, as well. Examining the evidence of God’s unconditional love, sovereign purpose, and faithful presence in Abigail’s life should strengthen our own faith and trust in Him. And finally, following Abigail’s example should infuse us with confidence as we interact in a needy culture and face an unknown future, knowing we serve a God who is alive and in control.

This is the first book devoted to the biblical figure of Abigail, whose encounter with David is narrated in 1 Samuel 25. An interdisciplinary study, its seven papers combine biblical criticism, narratology, history of religions, Assyriology and the study of midrash. One article (by Michael Guichard) brings to light a major historical analogy from the Mari documents to the triangular relationship of Abigail, Nabal and David. The career of the princess Inib-sharri, first married to an old sheikh, and, after his sudden, mysterious death, to a younger princeling, provides a very apt analogy to that of Abigail. Another article (by Daniel Bodi) compares David's way of seizing power to the pattern of seizing power in the ancient Near East: Zimri-Lim in Mari, Idrimi in Alalakh, and the 'Apiru in the Amarna texts serve as analogies to David. The tale of David as an ambitious warlord taking power through marriage can be paralleled by the myth of Nergal and Ereshkigal; in its older Amarna version Nergal takes power through violence whereas in its Assyrian version his power is due to Ereshkigal's seduction and love. The Abigail story combines both aspects, beginning with violence and ending with marriage (Jean-Jacques Glassner). Some rabbis saw Abigail as a seducer and a hellish type of woman. The final articles (by Bodi and Jean-Marie Husser) show that, while her behaviour might be ambiguous, she should not be branded a scarlet woman.

We all know it’s important to study God’s Word. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. What’s more, a lack of time, emotionally driven approaches, and past frustrations can erode our resolve to keep growing in our knowledge of Scripture. How can we, as Christian women, keep our focus and sustain our passion when reading the Bible? Offering a clear and concise plan to help women go deeper in their study of Scripture, this book will equip you to engage God’s Word in a way that trains your mind and transforms your heart.