1. Formerly the wife of Nabal of Carmel, and afterwards of David. Upon receiving information of Nabal’s ingratitude to David, 1 Samuel 25:14, she loaded several asses with provisions, and attended by some of here domestics went out to meet him. Her manners and conversation gained for her his esteem, and as soon as the days of mourning for Nabal’s death, which happened soon afterwards, were over, he made her his wife. The issue of the marriage was, as some critics suppose, two sons, Chileab and Daniel, 2 Samuel 3:3; 1 Chronicles 3:1; but it is most probable that these names were borne by one person.

2. A sister of David, and mother of Amasa, 1 Chronicles 2:16,17.

Father (i.e., "leader") of the dance, or "of joy." The sister of David, and wife of Jether an Ishmaelite (1 Chronicles 2:16,17). She was the mother of Amasa (2 Samuel 17:25). The wife of the churlish Nabal, who dwelt in the district of Carmel (1 Samuel 25:3). She showed great prudence and delicate management at a critical period of her husband's life. She was "a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance." After Nabal's death she became the wife of David (1 Samuel 25:14-42), and was his companion in all his future fortunes (1 Samuel 27:3; 30:5; 2Sam 2:2). By her David had a son called Chileab (2 Samuel 3:3), elsewhere called Daniel (1 Chronicles 3:1).

(father, i.e. source, of joy ). The beautiful wife of Nabal, a wealthy owner of goats and sheep in Carmel. (B.C. 1060.) When David’s messengers were slighted by Nabal, Abigail supplies David and his followers with provisions, and succeeded in appeasing his anger. The days after this Nabal died, and David sent for Abigail and made her his wife. (1 Samuel 25:14) etc. By her he had a son, called Chileab in (2 Samuel 3:3) but Daniel in (1 Chronicles 3:1) A sister of David, married to Jether the Ishmaelite , and mother, by him , of Amasa. (1 Chronicles 2:17) In (2 Samuel 17:25) for Israelite read Ishmaelite. (B.C. 1068.)