Abigail, the biblical heroine who teaches resistance to those who feel on the margins
Biblical reflections published on the website ofKairos Florence, a group of LGBT+ Christians and their parents from Florence
"Let my lord pay no attention to that wicked man, Nabal, for he is like his name: foolish is his name and foolishness is in him.” (1Sam 25,25).
With these words of Abigail, the Bible presents us with a wise and courageous woman, trapped in a patriarchal context that considers her subordinate, yet capable of letting her voice and value emerge. Abigail doesn't just survive: she finds a space to act and speak, even when the world around her tries to silence her.
Abigail, a figure of resilience and courage
Her condition is far from easy: wife of Nabal, a brutal and senseless man, Abigail lives in a patriarchal society that reduces women to silence and dependence. Yet, when David prepares to take revenge against the house of Nabal, Abigail decides to intervene, acting with cunning and courage. Without asking her husband's permission. He gathers supplies and heads towards David, risking everything to stop a disaster.
"Abigail immediately took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five prepared rams, five measures of roasted wheat, one hundred bunches of dried grapes and two hundred dried fig cakes and loaded them onto the donkeys” (1Sam 25,18).
This act is not only practical, but deeply symbolic: Abigail breaks the expectations of her time, demonstrating that true courage lies not in strength, but in wisdom and love for others.
A voice for those who live on the margins
In her speech to David, Abigail not only saves her family, but also helps David remember his divine mission. With humble but powerful words, he reminds him of the value of justice and invites him not to commit revenge:
“When the Lord has done to my lord all the good he promised and has made you leader of Israel, then this will not be a remorse or regret for you, having shed blood in vain” (1Sam 25,30-31)
In a society that wanted to silence women, Abigail uses her intelligence to make herself heard. This gesture resonates deeply for anyone who has been marginalized, whether by gender, sexual orientation, or a thousand other reasons. His story becomes an example of how even those who live on the margins can find strength and dignity in their own voice.
A queer message of hope
For LGBT believers and their parents and for those who feel marginalized, unseen, unheard, Abigail is a symbol of resilience. Her struggle to be heard, despite living in a context that oppresses her, speaks to the ability to transform vulnerability into strength.
Abigail reminds us that a person's value does not depend on the recognition of others, but on their ability to act with courage and love.
Like her, anyone who feels excluded or on the margins can discover a precious gift in their uniqueness. His story teaches us that, even in the most difficult moments, it is possible to change the course of events, find one's voice and, with it, open paths of justice and hope.
