1Samuel chapter 25

 

Memory verse: 1Samuel 25:28

 

David encounters Nabal and his wife Abigail

 

Day 1 – hospitality

Verses 1-11

David and his men were fleeing from Saul who was attempting to kill them. They were in the wilderness near Mt. Carmel. There was a descendant of Caleb named Nabal who was very rich. His sheep were being sheared in the same area. David and his men had provided security for them. David kindly asked Nabal to bless his men in return with some provision. Nabal answered with insults and a refusal. All David was asking for was some hospitality in return for his from a man who had been abundantly blessed and could easily afford it. This is a quality expected from all Christians (Romans 12:13, 1Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8, Hebrews 13:2, 1Peter 4:9). Nabal missed a big opportunity to bless the man of God who was soon to be the king. Hebrews 13:2 says some hospitable Christians had entertained angels without being aware of it. 2 disciples unknowingly gave hospitality to the risen Christ, and became some of the first to be witnesses of His resurrection (Luke 24:13-35). The Lord said to not only be hospitable to those who are to us and can return the favor, but also to those who cannot (Luke 14:12-14). We shall be rewarded in the resurrection for this, and for as small an act as giving a disciple a cup of water (Matthew 10:42).

 

Day 2 – vengeance is mine saith the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:30)

Verses 12-13, 21-22, 31-34, and 36-39

God is the Judge (John 12:48, Acts 10:42, Acts 17:31, Romans 2:16, 2Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 12:23). We are to be His witnesses (Luke 24:48, Acts 1:8). A witness is to testify to what they have seen and heard (Luke 7:22, John 3:32, Acts 4:20, Acts 22:15, 1John 1:1-3). It is not the job of a witness to judge (Matthew 7:1, Romans 2:1, James 4:11). God will take care of our enemies in His way and time with righteous judgment (Judges 11:36, Jeremiah 51:36). That is why we are to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). It is not only to be like our heavenly Father. It is out of fear for the wrath of God they are provoking against themselves. When the Lord confronted Paul on the road to Damascus, He said it was Him he was persecuting (Acts 9:4). Jesus took Paul’s acts against His people personally. When we choose love and forgiveness, we are giving ourselves the opportunity to be forgiven (Matthew 6:12-15, Matthew 18:23-35), and we are demonstrating the value of the eternal soul (Matthew 16:26). David was going to destroy Nabal and his whole household, but after speaking with Abigail, he let it go. When Nabal heard what happened “his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.”

 

Day 3 – a soft answer turneth away wrath (Proverbs 15:1)

Verses 18 and 23-31

Abigail brought the supplies to David her husband should have. She hurried off of her animal, fell on her face, and bowed before David. She asked David to put the responsibility for her husband’s behavior on her, and asked for chance to speak. She denounced her husband. She asked for forgiveness. She commended David and encouraged him about God’s promises to him. She advised him to take the throne of Israel with a clear conscience. David’s anger was appeased. While all of her actions would not be expected in this day, she understood how humility can go a long way in reconciliation. It was not her fault, but she sought to make it right. She took the initiative (Matthew 5:24, Matthew 18:15). “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife (Proverbs 26:21).” It is impossible to never offend or be offended (Luke 17:1, James 3:2). When it happens, we can pour fuel on the fire or we can seek peace (Psalm 34:14, 1Peter 3:11). We can seek to be right about the issue, or right with God and our brother. We can be selfish, or see the bigger picture. We can demand to be heard, or seek to listen. We can let go of our gripe, or let go of God. We cannot hold onto both very long. We can value our issue, or we can value souls. Matthew chapter 18 is all about relationships: becoming as a child, cutting off offenses, valuing souls, the reconciliation process, authority to bind and loose and pray, and unlimited and unconditional forgiveness.

 

Day 4 – a fool

Verses 3, 10-11, and 25-26

Abigail called her husband a man of Belial which means worthlessness, wickedness, unprofitableness, fruitlessness, or destruction. It it also synonymous with Satan or idols. This word is used 17 times in the Bible to describe the enemies of God, the righteous, and that which is good. Paul used it 2Corinthians 6:15. She referred to the fact that her husband’s name literally means fool. She prayed that her husband would be cursed and die. This does not seem like things a good wife would do, but David and his men were coming to destroy Nabal and his household. Abigail was not only trying to save her own life, but her husbands’, and everyone else’s. The Bible says quite a bit about the definition of a fool: he says in his heart there is no God (Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:1), he does not know the great works and thoughts of God (Psalms 92:5-6), he goes after an adulteress (Proverbs 7:22), he utters slander (Proverbs 10:18), he finds it sport to do mischief (Proverbs 10:23), his way is right in his own eyes (Proverbs 12:15), he lays open his folly (Proverbs 13:16), he rages and is confident (Proverbs 14:16), he despises his father’s instruction (Proverbs 15:5), reproofs do not enter him (Proverbs 17:10), he is more dangerous than a bear robbed of her whelps (Proverbs 17:12), he has no heart to wisdom (Proverbs 17:16), he takes away his father’s joy (Proverbs 17:21), his eyes are in the ends of the earth (Proverbs 17:24), he has not delight in understanding (Proverbs 18:2), he is perverse in his lips (Proverbs 19:1), delight is not seemly to him (Proverbs 19:10), he will be meddling (Proverbs 20:3), he will despise wisdom (Proverbs 23:9), wisdom is too high for him (Proverbs 24:7), honor is not seemly for him (Proverbs 26:1), he returns to his folly (Proverbs 26:11), his foolishness will not depart from him (Proverbs 27:22), he trusts in his own heart (Proverbs 28:26), he utters all his mind (Proverbs 29:11), he walks in darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:14), his wisdom faileth him, and he declares to everyone that he is a fool (Ecclesiastes 10:3), his lips swallow up himself (Ecclesiastes 10:12), he is full of words (Ecclesiastes 10:14), and he lays up treasure for himself but is not rich towards God (Luke 12:20-21). In summary, he has a poor relationship with God and others, he is not afraid to do evil, he refuses advice, and he runs his mouth. “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise (Ephesians 5:15)”.

 

 

Day 5 – Abigail gets a godly man

Verses 40-42

David was so impressed with the character of Abigail after this one meeting, that after Nabal died he married her. David was on the run from Saul. This was not the best time for a wedding or to start a family, but David did not want to let het her get away. Abigail was stuck in a bad marriage, but she stuck it out until God changed the circumstances. Marriage is still until death does part (Matthew 19:4-9, Mark 10:12, Romans 7:3, 1Corinthians 7:10 & 39). The only condition mentioned in the Bible for separation is if the other spouse breaks the marriage (Matthew 19:9, 1Corinthians 7:15). Hosea shows us the faithfulness of God through his bad marriage to Gomer (Hosea 1-2). Nobody is saying this is easy, but it is the will of God. We never know how our testimony may win our spouse (1Corinthians 7:10-15). If there is danger to someone’s personal safety, then no one is expected to stay around for that. Pastoral and legal advice are recommended for such circumstances. God not only took care of Nabal for David, He also delivered Abigail, and gave her the hottest catch in town. He was handsome (1Samuel 16:12), he was a man’s man (2Samuel 23:8-29), he was gifted (1Samuel 16:16-18), and he was the next big thing in Israel (1Samuel 16:13); but most importantly he loved God (1Samuel 13:14). God is the best matchmaker. We should pray, and get pastoral guidance about the second most important decision of our lives.