ABIGAIL. – Name of two women of the Bible.
1. Wife of Nabal, residing at Maon, who possessed extensive fields and flocks on Carmel, at the edge of the desert of Paran, or rather (according to the better text of the Septuagint) of Ma'ôn (southern Judea).
David, then wandering with his 600 men in the desert, sent some armed men to ask food of the wealthy Nabal, who was celebrating the shearing of the flock. At his insolent refusal, David was about to take revenge on him, when the “beautiful and sensible” A. appeared before him, preceded by servants bearing impressive gifts: 200 loaves of bread, 2 skins of wine, 5 cooked rams, 5 measures of grain, grapes, and dried figs. A.’s fine speech (I Sam. 25, 24-31) disarmed David. Indeed, when Nabal died ten days later, he immediately took the widow as his wife (I Sam. 25). A. followed her new husband in his adventurous life at Geth and Siceleg; there she was captured by the Amalecites, and later liberated by David (ibid. 30, 5, 18). At Hebron she bore David a son named Cheleab (II Sam. 3, 3), or Daniele (I Par. 3, 1).
2. Sister of David and mother of Amasa, commander of the forces of the rebellious Absalom. Whereas in I Par. 2, 13-17 she is called the daughter of Isai, in II Sam. 17, 25 she appears as the daughter of Naas. Some identify this Naas with Isai; others regard it as the name of A.’s mother; but perhaps it is a gloss dependent on V. 27, where a son of Naas is mentioned. Angelo Penna