WOMEN’S SALVIFIC ROLE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT: EXEGETICAL STUDY OF 1 SAMUEL 25:23-28 AND ITS RELEVANCE TO WOMEN

Abstract

The Old Testament position about women depicts the origination of the human race and the institutionalization of gender in respect of roles and treatment given in the Jewish-predominated society. One of these significant roles is the salvific intervention of women in saving their families and the nation of Israel as a whole at precarious moments. Despite women’s relegation and alienation in Jewish society, they were still much more relevant to the growth and continuity of such society and their families in particular. This sheer understanding finds expression in the role of Abigail who carelessly threw herself to the approaching angry warriors, David and his men. Therefore this paper sets out to discuss the salvific role of Abigail in saving her family from impending destruction. The study adopted exegetical, historical, and descriptive methods. It was discovered that Abigail was the epitome of the proverbial wife who keeps her home from destruction. The findings also show that men can be insensitive with their actions, hence putting their lives and families in danger. The study recommended that women must wake-up to their responsibility of saving their homes and nation from various intricate challenges undermining its peace and progress.