Abigail

Father (i.e., “leader”) of the dance, or “of joy.” (1.) The sister of David, and wife of Jether an Ishmaelite (1 Chr. 2:16, 17). She was the mother of Amasa (2 Sam. 17:25). (2.) The wife of the churlish Nabal, who dwelt in the district of Carmel (1 Sam. 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 Sam. 25:14-42), and was his companion in all his future fortunes (1 Sam. 27:3; 30:5; 2 Sam. 2:2). By her David had a son called Chileab (2 Sam. 3:3), elsewhere called Daniel (1 Chr. 3:1).

(father, i.e. source, of joy).

AB'IGAIL (father, i. e. source, of joy). (1). The wise and beautiful wife of the churlish and wicked Nabal, a wealthy man of Carmel. 1 Sam 25:3. When her husband had exposed himself to the anger of David by his rude and contemptuous treatment of his messengers, Abigail hastened to meet him while he was on his way with four hundred men to revenge the insult. She managed the affair with so much prudence as to pacify David and obtain his blessing. About ten days after her return the Lord visited Nabal with sickness, and he died, and Abigail became David's wife. (2). One of David's sisters, married to Jether, and mother of Amasa. 2 Sam 17:25;1 Chr 2:17.

the father's joy

AB'IGAIL (father, i. e. source, of joy).
(1). The wise and beautiful wife of the churlish and wicked Nabal, a wealthy man of Carmel. 1 Sam 25:3. When her husband had exposed himself to the anger of David by his rude and contemptuous treatment of his messengers, Abigail hastened to meet him while he was on his way with four hundred men to revenge the insult. She managed the affair with so much prudence as to pacify David and obtain his blessing. About ten days after her return the Lord visited Nabal with sickness, and he died, and Abigail became David's wife. (2). One of David's sisters, married to Jether, and mother of Amasa. 2 Sam 17:25;1 Chr 2:17.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A lady's waiting-maid. Pepys. Her abigail reported that Mrs. Gutheridge had a set of night curls for sleeping in. Leslie.