This is an account of an attack that was prevented because someone trusted in God. Her name was Abigail. You can read about her in the Bible, in First Samuel, chapter 25.

Abigail was married to a wealthy sheep owner named Nabal.

As it happened, David (the same David who had defeated Goliath) was now camping in the hills near where Nabal's sheep were grazing. David and his men had been helping Nabal's shepherds protect their sheep so no lions or bears or thieves could hurt or steal the sheep. When David heard that Nabal was about to shear his sheep, he sent a message to him, asking for some food in return for having taken care of his sheep.

A sheepshearing took place when the sheep didn't need their warm, heavy coats anymore. The shearers would cut all the fleece off. The fleece was then made into thread, which could be woven to make clothes. Shearing sheep was hard work, but it was also a time of celebration. The owners made sure there was lots to eat and drink for the shearers.

David told some of his men to say to Nabal, "Peace to you, your wife, and your whole household. David and his men helped protect your shepherds and sheep. You can ask your shepherds, and they'll tell you. In return, please give us whatever food you can for us to take to David."

When Nabal received the request for food, he was very angry. He didn't want to give anything of his away. He said, "Who is David?" Then he said, "I think that he is just a servant who ran away from his master. Do you really think that I should take the food for my shearers, and give it to a runaway servant and his men!"

When the men returned to David with Nabal's response, David lost his temper and decided to fight Nabal. He told his men to put on their swords and armor, and to start toward Nabal's house.

Meanwhile, one of Nabal's shepherds went to Abigail, and said, "David sent messengers from the wilderness to ask for food from my master, Nabal, and he yelled at them. But they had been very good to us. They were like a wall all around to protect us and our sheep."

When Abigail heard this, she moved quickly to see that food was prepared to be taken to David and his men. She decided not to tell Nabal, but to ride out and meet David.

Meanwhile, David was angry. "It was all for nothing that I watched over Nabal's sheep," he said. "Nabal was evil to me in return for good. I'm going to punish him."

When Abigail reached David, she got off her donkey and, bowing all the way to the ground in front of him, she said, "Please listen to me, and hear what I have to say. Don't be angry at Nabal, for he's just being foolish. I didn't see the men you sent.

"It is God who has kept you from making war against us. Please be forgiving, and I'm sure that God will reward you. I know that you fight for God, and you have never done evil. Your life is tied with God. God will make you ruler over all Israel."

David replied, "Blessed is God for sending you. Thank you for keeping me from killing. If God had not sent you to me, I would have killed Nabal. Thank you for coming."

Where did Abigail get the wisdom, kindness, and understanding to keep David from killing Nabal and his shearers? David said it was God; He had sent her. And it was God who had kept him back from doing evil by committing revenge against Nabal.

Abigail gives us an example of how love for God and man can help prevent war. This love is important today, because there are still situations that need peacemakers. And this love is natural for us to express toward each other as God's children. It helps us hear His voice and learn to do what will save others from anger and revenge.

The Bible called Abigail a woman "of a beautiful countenance" (I Sam. 25:3). Wasn't it describing more than her looks? Wasn't it talking about the beauty of kindness and intelligence and generosity? These God-given qualities enabled her to see that returning evil for evil isn't in accord with God's will.

This Bible story can teach us a lot about peacemakers. They do not necessarily have to be employed by the United Nations. They simply have to be "beautiful" in their love for God and man!