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Divine Intervention through AbigailTANAKH
Divine Intervention through Abigail
TANAKH
In the biblical narrative of the book of Samuel, Abigail intervenes to prevent David from committing a murderous act of revenge against her husband. When David recognizes that she is right, he praises God for sending Abigail to avert his own intended action.
Abigail's Prophetic WisdomCOMMENTARY
Abigail's Prophetic Wisdom
COMMENTARY
The Talmud in tractate Megillah lists Abigail as one of several prophetesses, and expands on biblical verses to identify her prophecy. This contemporary commentary explains the Talmudic discussion.
Abigail's SonCOMMENTARY
Abigail's Son
COMMENTARY
Abigail and David's son is identified by the name Chileab in the book of Samuel, but by the name Daniel in the book of Chronicles. Rabbi David Kimchi, a medieval commentator, presents a midrashic explanation of the meaning and purpose behind the two names.
Abigail's Strategic ForesightTALMUD
Abigail's Strategic Foresight
TALMUD
Abigail's interaction with David demonstrate her ability to manage multiple objectives simultaneously. In the Talmud, Rav Naḥman uses folk sayings to illustrate Abigail's strategic foresight in her approach to David, aiming to save her husband while also hinting at a future marriage with David.
Abigail's Wisdom and AtonementMIDRASH
Abigail's Wisdom and Atonement
MIDRASH
The Midrash Tehillim, a collection of homiletic teachings on the Book of Psalms, expands on the story of Abigail, praising her actions in relation to David.
Abigail's Night RideTALMUD
Abigail's Night Ride
TALMUD
While discussing the proper way for a woman to sit on an animal, the Talmud raises the verse describing Abigail's ride on the donkey to stop David as a challenge to the conventional wisdom. The Talmud goes on to discusses the particular circumstances of Abigail's ride.
Abigail: Visionary and GuideCOMMENTARY
Abigail: Visionary and Guide
COMMENTARY
Abigail is identified among other women who achieved prophecy. The Tze'enah Ure'enah, a late 16th-century Yiddish commentary, explains that it should be no surprise that pious women attain the same spiritual level as pious men.
Abigail's Strategic InterventionSECOND TEMPLE
Abigail's Strategic Intervention
SECOND TEMPLE
Abigail's wisdom and strategic intervention prevented a massacre. Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, recounts the biblical story of Abigail and Nabal, emphasizing her role in averting David's wrath.
Abigail's Wisdom and David's RestraintTANAKH
Abigail's Wisdom and David's Restraint
TANAKH
Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's contemporary commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides a clear and engaging prefatory summary of the episode of Abigail's intervention.