Abigail is an Israelite woman whose story is recounted in 1 Samuel 25 and is described as  “clever and beautiful” (v. 3 NRSVUE). She is married to wealthy, ill-tempered Nabal, who insults David, son of Jesse, by denying his request for food for his men. Abigail prevents David from a violent retaliation by sending food ahead to him and begging his forgiveness in the longest speech by a woman in the Bible (vv. 24-31). About ten days later Nabal dies and David then takes Abigail as his wife. In Jewish tradition, Abigail is recognized as one of seven female prophets. There is another Abigail mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:16–17, who is the sister of David.