Two women named Abigail are mentioned in the Bible (1 Samuel 25:3; 2 Samuel 17:25). The better known of the two is the wife of the foolish farmer, Nabal. Nabal almost brought disaster upon his household by his insulting refusal to supply David and his men with food in return for their service in protecting his farmlands against the raiding Philistines. Only quick thinking and wise words from Abigail saved the situation (1 Samuel 25:2-35).

When Nabal unexpectedly died, David married Abigail (1 Samuel 25:39-42). She became the mother of David’s second son, Chileab (2 Samuel 3:3).