Come and Dine

As a young girl, stories of women from biblical times intrigued me. The accounts of their courage, compassion, obedience (and sometimes disobedience), and undeniable faith continue to inspire me. One of my favorite stories is about Abigail and is found in First Samuel 25. If you are not familiar with Abigail, I believe you will admire and appreciate her character. She rose to the occasion when an unexpected potential crisis presented itself to her. As women in this current time, we can still benefit from the wisdom of the women of the Bible. God works as beautifully in us today as He did in them centuries ago.

Recently, I reread Abigail’s story and asked myself, “How would Abigail conduct herself today in a similar situation?”

Thankfully, most of us will not have to appeal to well-known leaders and their armies. Abigail displayed integrity and courage as she carried out what she believed to be God’s will. Even in our modern lives, there are times when circumstances seem like challenges or obstacles. However, these situations can actually be opportunities to bring out the best in others and share the Good News of Jesus.

Abigail’s story has staying power to inspire women today. She took a risk, stepping out in faith to divert David’s bloody intentions toward her household. She spoke confidently, edifying David while delivering a pleasing and deliciously edible peace offering to him and his men.

I am grateful that in my time and culture, offering a simple meal can have a beneficial outcome. The fact that Abigail prepared two hundred loaves of bread, five seahs (about two gallons) of roasted grain, two skins of wine, one hundred clusters of raisins, five sheep (ready to be roasted), and two hundred fig cakes––all common and available foods of her time and geographical location––astounds me. Abigail essentially provided David and his army with a feast.

Likewise, we are called to feast at the Lord’s table. In every season of life, Jesus invites us to come and dine with Him (See John 21:12). At His table, we become refreshed with His love, restored with His goodness, and reignited with faith for our journey and the battles ahead. As we make it a priority to dine with Jesus, He abundantly fills us to the point of overflowing, equipping us to spread His goodness to others just as Abigail did.

The life of Abigail serves as a reminder that women from different eras and cultures possess wisdom that is still relevant to women in the present day. I have often failed to recognize a God-ordained opportunity, even when it faced me directly. My persistent prayer is that I would be filled with a supernatural sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to be a modern-day Abigail when challenges arise. I am constantly reminded that God observes our hearts and operates beautifully and powerfully in the lives of those who choose to follow Him.

Abigail’s  Perfect Peace Offering Foods

Lamb: A meat high in protein, vitamins B12 and B6, niacin, zinc, and other vital nutrients, often considered a healthier red meat choice. Lamb was a common meat for eating and for sacrificing in the Temple.

Roasted grain: Barley and wheat were the more commonly used grains during Old Testament times. Oats, millet, and spelt were also used during this time. They could be ground into flour or soaked and cooked in a stew (often with beans or lentils).

Bread: A staple in the diet of this period and most likely barley “loaves.” The bread of this time resembled pita or flat bread rather than loaves as we know them today.

Raisins: Grapes (a common crop since grape vineyards were plentiful in that region), which had been dried into raisins. Grapes are the first cultivated crop mentioned in the Bible. Raisins were often compressed into “cakes.” Raisins provide nutritional maintenance (boron) for bone and joint health and wound healing compounds.

Figs: Figs symbolize longevity in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions. They provide significant fiber and antioxidants. Figs are believed to reduce inflammation.

Wine: The wine of biblical times was not the wine of today! It was grown and produced in much smaller quantities in the most simple and natural ways possible, without the additives of modern-day wine. Therefore, it contained much lower sugar and alcohol levels. When wine is mentioned in the Bible, it might not refer to an alcoholic beverage but to a simple grape juice. This would have been a natural choice for Abigail to offer David and his hungry men.

Abigail did not know the science that we know today behind the foods she offered, but cultural traditions and Jewish laws gave her insight and wisdom as she prepared a meal “fit for a king.”