Losing No Time

David now flees to the Desert of Maon into the property of Nabal. Nabal was known as a wealthy man who was "surly and mean" in his dealings. He was married to Abigail, a "beautiful and intelligent woman." David and his men settle near where Nabal's hired men are keeping his flocks, and David makes sure they are protected from thieves and danger and does not harm them or steal anything for himself. When the time comes to shear the sheep, David sends a few of his men to Nabal to ask him to spare "anything he has" for David and his men since they protected Nabal's assets. Nabal lives up to his reputation by answering the men harshly and in essence telling them that David is a wandering nobody and should settle somewhere and take care of himself. When the men return and tell David this, he immediately gets them assembled and prepared to fight Nabal and his men. One of Nabal's servants is witness to all of this and runs to tell the story to Abigail. The Scriptures read that when Abigail heard this she "lost no time." She gathered food and supplies, loaded them with her servants and sent them ahead while she followed at the end of the caravan. David was just saying how he would wipe out all of the men belonging to Nabal's household when Abigail rides up and bows down to him. She asks David to focus on her and her kindness over Nabal's foolishness. She states that he is "bound in the bundle of the living by the Lord" and that he need not have bloodshed on his conscience when he is king. In one interaction Abigail reminds David of his ultimate promise from God to become king and the responsibilities the promise brings with it. David is so impressed with Abigail's wisdom that he vows to let Nabal and his household live and Abigail returns home. Eventually God deals with Nabal in His own way and Abigail marries David. Today I am reminded of how important is our focus in life. Abigail embraced her beauty and intelligence and used it for good. How hard it is for us - especially women - to truly embrace our beauty and wisdom! When the time presented itself, Abigail didn't lose time focused on her husband's screw up or make excuses for him, she used her own gifts to seize her moment in history. I pray for the wisdom to focus on what I can give to others; to not lose time worrying or blaming others but to act in a way that is "beautiful and intelligent" in my own life.