David And Nabal

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David And Nabal

1 Samuel 25 by Jonathon Wright

David was well known throughout Israel and Judah. He defeated the great Goliath and his popularity soared. But there were some like Nabal who were not impressed by David’s ability to take on a giant. Some did not appreciate David in their territory and were faithful to King Saul. This would describe Nabal, who was not only rich but influential, coming from the family of Caleb. When Joshua gave Caleb the land of Judah, he and his family drove out the giant Canaanites. This may explain why Nabal was not impressed by David.

As the story continues, David and his men come to Nabal expecting some hospitality. They had, after all, taken care of Nabal’s sheep, and there was a celebration throughout the land. Yet, Nabal was harsh, offensive, and insulted David’s men. Of course, it is true in life that harsh, mean words often lead to violence and problems. When David heard these words, he was furious. He told his men to put on their swords because they were going to wipe these guys out. David was taking matters into his own hands and let anger get the best of him. This is never a good thing. But God had other plans. Abigail, Nabal’s wife, had not seen David’s men or heard of his request, so she went and secretly prepared a feast. Notice verses 18-19.

“Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys. And she said to her servants, “Go on before me; see, I am coming after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal” (NKJV).

When she got there, she talked some sense into David. In the end, God took care of these potentially disastrous problems. David thanked and blessed God for her wisdom and gift. Abigail wisely waited until her husband was sober to tell him all she had done. He became like a stone, and ten days later, scripture records his death. David recognized God’s sovereign hand in his life and these events. He eventually would marry this kind and wise woman.

In the same way, God stands sovereignly over our lives to prevent major problems. Yet, we still need to walk in kindness, listen to God, and the wise advice of others to see His best.

About The Author

Jonathon Wright currently lives in Cleveland, Tennessee, and has been a member of the Church of God for about twenty years. He is a graduate of Lee University and Beacon University where he earned a BA and MA in Biblical Studies. He loves studying the Bible and has done so for over thirty years, but only now has God given him a desire and the opportunity to be a writer. He is currently beginning the process of writing a book on Genesis entitled, God’s Good Prophetic Plan: From Beginning to End.