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“Strong” is both an adverb and an adjective. Often when used to refer to a lady or woman, the first thought of “strong” is that of a forceful feminine. But, please if I may don my gift-of-teaching hat on for a second to educate us a little bit today – the word “strong” means a variety of things. Just look in the dictionary!

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“Strong Women” exhibit godly character, are beautiful inside-out, are not boastful, are on their knees praying or crying to God over circumstances rather than fist-fighting, they surrender to God rather than to people, and are meek (strength under-cover).

Strong Women are entrepreneurs and know how to manage what’s in their hands to take care of their household. They often are sisters or mothers to their neighborhood’s kids. They also are not consumers, but are versed in multiplying whatever has been given to them. A modern-day Proverbs 31 Strong Woman knows when to take a rest from the chores to reenergize.

Strong Women complete their men; not overshadow them nor be allowed to be under-shadowed. (p.s. real men don’t push their ladies/women to the background). And should they be called to singleness, Strong ladies/women are proud that they have been so chosen and not allow the world to make them feel that they’ve been overlooked. Strong Women empower one another; not compete with one another.

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Our starting point of the Strong Women Series is highlighting the Strong Women in The Bible. For those who don’t know, The Bible is the holy, and ought-to-be-reference, book for every Christian. The Strong Women in the Bible embody the above traits and more.

There are 157 women in the Bible; depending on the version you read. I will not bore you with details of each one of them. If you’re interested in reading or learning about every woman in the Bible, click here. I will only highlight a few of my favorite Bible Strong Women; they are Mary, Sarah, Esther, Abigail, Deborah, Dorcas, Naomi, and even Rahab. Yes, Rahab! Woohoo!! Please read on:

Abigail

My first strong woman is Abigail (other Bible versions spell her name as Abigal).

Abigail was a woman of good understanding and a beautiful countenance. She was married to Nabal who, though was great, was unfortunately churlish (meaning stingy and rude) and evil in his doings. I love Abigail’s wisdom in handling a matter that could have warranted the death of her husband if not for her discreet handling.

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Here goes

David, the king, was in the wilderness mourning the death of the prophet, Samuel. On one of the days while still in the wilderness, David sent a peaceful request to Nabal asking Nabal to give him and his troop some food and drinks (my version). As king, David, could have forcefully taken everything he wanted. To everyone’s amazement, Nabal not only turned the request down, but “said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? … Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? … But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. But the men (referring to David’s men) were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, … Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him … Then Abigail made haste, and generously loaded her asses with nourishments. And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal … And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid … And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall (this is King James’ version of the Bible. There are other lighter and friendlier versions) … So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.”
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Nabal surprisingly died ten days after the incident.

Read details of Abigail in the Book of 1 Samuel‬ ‭Chapter 25.

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There’s definitely a lot to be learned from Abigail’s attitude. I leave you to draw your own takeaways. But, she’s one of my favorites.

Thanks for reading. Till next time, stay blessed😍

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