Opening Discussion: Give an example of an experience that has humbled you...that you thought you were ready for, yet afterwards you realized you weren't and you ended up looking like a fool?
1 Samuel 25 – David, Nabal, and Abigail
The story of David, Nabal, and
Abigail is a short story (only 1 chapter) but a quick read through may leave
the reader not grasping the full weight of God’s providence. I had to read it
multiple times plus do extensive research – reading commentaries and reading the
surrounding chapters to see the context of the story - to fully grasp the
meaning of this story and the importance lessons that it conveys that all of us
can gain.
It is really a story of God’s providence
in a young, soon-to-be Israel king, as David, only a few years older after
killing Goliath where he was referred to as a boy, is still developing into the
man of God to lead Israel.
This is a story of two fools, a
wise person, and God’s sovereignty in the midst of it all. It teaches an important
lesson for a young David to learn as the future King, and for all of us as we
continue to grow and mature in our walk with God.
Context:
We begin the story with a bit of
context. In the 1 Samuel narrative, David is on the run from King Saul, who is trying to kill him. In this chapter, v. 1 states the climate of our story, as it’s declared that Samuel has
just died. Remember it is Samuel who has anointed David as the
next King and was his trusted advisor during Saul’s pursuits to kill him. Therefore
this passage marks the transition not only in Israel’s history, but also
David’s life for where and whom he will seek counsel to get ready to be King.
Story:
Anyways after Samuel’s death, David
moves to the Desert of Paran and this is where our study takes us. David and his men settle near the
property and sheep of Nabal, protecting them day and night (v. 16). Nabal we learn is “very wealthy”, “had
property”, and “had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep” (v.2).
We also learn of our next
character: Abigail who is the wife
of Nabal. What’s unique about Abigail is her description: she is beautiful and
intelligent (v. 3). Beautiful is a rare description in the Bible. Only 3 Christian
women are described as having beauty: Rachel – whom Jacob worked for 14 years
but “they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her (aww!
– Genesis 29:20) and Esther – which we demonstrated her beauty during VBS by having
the 1st ever VBS Beauty Contest (this actually happened in ancient Persia
for King Xerxes– see Esther 2). However, for this story we’ll focus on
Abigail’s intelligence and wisdom.
So we learn that it’s
sheap-shearing time, and this is when David sends a request to Nabal to ask for
a payment for his services of protecting Nabal’s sheep as was customary during
that time. Nabal’s response is where it gets juicy and shows how Nabal lives up
to his translated name of "Fool," as he is our 1st fool.
Nabal’s responds to David’s request by insulting his name
(v. 14). He says rhetorically to David’s request: “Who is this David, …son of
Jesse?” and calls him a runaway servant from a master (vv. 10-11)
Well enter fool #2, David. David’s men report word for word
what Nabal called David and he immediately gets offended by the insults and
calls 400 men to “put on your swords!” for battle. This foolish David is
getting ready to wage war against Nabal because his honor had been offended! Simply put, David is doing what many of
us do when we get offended or someone calls us something – we react emotionally
and impulsively to attack – evil for evil!.
So we’ve established our two fools: Nabal and David. Now
comes the heroine of the story.
A servant tells Abigail what has happened and warns how
David will respond. The servant says specifically: “disaster is hanging over
our master and his whole household.”(v.17) – He is terrified of David’s wrath
against Nabal, Nabal’s family, and everyone that serves Nabal’s household
(including his own life). This servant probably has heard of David’s previous
victory over Goliath, as word of that victory has spread throughout the land (1
Samuel 18:7).
Wisdom Exemplified.
Abigail lost no time (v. 18). She quickly assessed the
upcoming destruction of her family and reacted immediately, without haste, to
gather the appropriate peace offerings (v18).
We catch David talking to his men saying that Nabal has “paid
me back evil for good.” And David is
ready to pay back evil for evil by raiding Nabal’s household.
Here we see God’s divine providence with
Abigail’s encounter with David.
Abigail arrives at the precise time David is about to
attack. But, before David is able to do so, she calls David to remember how God
has protected and fought for David (v. 26), reminds David of God’s covenant
with Him and of his offspring’s (v. 28), God’s promises to make him king (v.30).
She stops David by reminding God’s faithfulness to David! But she also advises
him to “let no wrong doing be found in you as long as you live. Even though
someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my master [David] will
be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God.”(v.31)
Abigail offers biblical counsel to David. Abigail is telling David to not fight petty battles and to
let God deal with those small battles. Furthermore, she reminds David that God
has appointed him leader over Israel, and to not have on his conscience the
“staggering burden of bloodshed” – basically to not as a future King of Israel
to go after pointless battles. Besides God's Word, this is another way God speaks into our lives. To have community with other Christians and have them remind you of God's faithfulness, of His promise and love for you, and of His sovereignty in all things. Biblical counseling uses God's Word to counsel others in time of need.
Here's another definition to guide you:
Biblical Counseling is the process where the Bible,
God's Word, is related individually to a person or persons who are
struggling under the weight of personal sin and/or the difficulties with
suffering, so that he or she might genuinely change in the inner person
to be pleasing to God.
(source: http://www.faithlafayette.org/counseling/about/what_is_biblical_counseling)
God’s divine providence of allowing David to meet Abigail
during these critical developmental years led David to grow and depend on God,
and to not be like his predecessor Saul who feared man (ie what his men though
of him) rather than fear God. Though David's honor was attacked, he didn't have to prove to the men around him that he cared what they thought. David learned a valuable lesson in leadership: to fear God and not man.
David redeems himself. Though he was a fool, he becomes wise
by obeying this wise instruction. David listens to this counsel and exclaims to
Abigail – “ Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today
to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me
from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands” (vv.
33-34). There we have it, wisdom and divine providence.
Conclusion:
After Abigail tells Nabal, the fool, her encounter with
David and his men, Nabal too realizes his error and “his heart failed him and
he became like a stone.” Unfortunately for Nabal, his error was realized too
late as he died 10 days later. May we not be like Nabal who was quick to
insult, not having the wisdom of restraint of his words to know their full weight and harm they may
cause to himself and others.
David sends word for Abigail to be his wife. She obliges.
And now our story goes full circle, as David once again has a source of Biblical counsel, (a wife, someone whom you will confide in, part of your inner circle, a life partner and a great source for Biblical counsel!) to replace Samuel, who will be there to remind him of God's faithfulness, wisdom and sovereignty in all things.
Something to think about...
This story is sandwiched between 2 accounts of David sparing Saul's life.
1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul's Life
1 Samuel 25 - David, Nabal and Abigail
1 Samuel 26 - David Again Spares Saul's Life
The author presents this as if letting the reader distinctly taste and notice the growing pains of David's journey to become Israel's king. The author places a striking narrative of David's willingness to murder Nabal between two sweet accounts of David's willingness to trust in the sovereignty of God and spare Saul's life.
Addendum.
The book of Proverbs is written for those that seek wisdom.
Personally, it’s one of my favorite books in the Bible. I encourage you to read
it to grow in wisdom – especially to know what wisdom is (Proverbs 9:10).
Some Proverbs on the fool and the wise:
Proverbs 12: 15 – The way of a fool seems right to him, but
a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:16 – A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a
prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 19:11 – A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to
his glory to overlook an offense.
Reflections
Spend some time looking back in your own life. Looking back today, how was God preparing you in the past
Be mindful of this experience during your present circumstances. God may be preparing you for something in the future!
Be mindful of this experience during your present circumstances. God may be preparing you for something in the future!
