Abigail (a father’s joy) In the Bible, O.T., a beautiful woman; wife of Nabal (the fool), a wealthy sheep owner. She supported David with food and drink during his exile from King Saul, when her husband refused him help. When Nabal died, David married Abigail (1 Sam. 25:2–42).

The name Abigail is used in Elizabethan writings to signify a lady’s maid and is found in works of Christopher Marlowe, Beaumont, and Fletcher. In the neoclassic age, Pope, Swift, and Fielding also used the name, but their use may partly derive from Abigail Hill (Mrs. Masham), waiting woman to Queen Anne. Rubens painted an Abigail.

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow
Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante