HOLD IT! HOLD IT! 1st Samuel 25:2-44 When events affect us personally, it isn't uncommon for us to act in haste as a reaction to our first impression. In that situation, we may say and do things we regret later because we didn't get counsel from others. It is the nature of the world to demean and despise the prayers of intercession the Lord's people make when an assembly comes together to pray about events in the world. One of our most important obligations is to "pray for kings and those in authority." The general opinion of the world is to get out and campaign for the person or issue of your choice. To those people, your vote is what counts, not your prayers.
Remember that the church of God claims our responsibility to the One who sits on the throne already. He is the One who sets up or puts down those who lead the people and the nations. When God's people pray, we go to the Source of Power and accept the outcome as a divine prerogative. Abigail is a beautiful example of an intercessor who, with wisdom and grace, makes a difference in the outcome of a matter.
Nabal was a self-centered, self-pleasing, selfish fool not to realize David had protected his flocks out of the goodness of his heart. It was expected that Nabal would have been willing to give some of his abundance in appreciation for what had been done for him. However, as a fool would, he seemed to think only of himself in the same way Saul did.
Like Abigail’s husband Nabal (fool), the world is self-centered, conceited, and impressed with its importance and success. Its style is to "work hard and play hard." The impression given by Nabal was that he did everything, he was in control of everything that went on in his domain, and all other people and things were under his authority. Nabal and those like him do not consider their puny limitations, nor do they consider the limitless power and authority of God. He was unreasonable with his servants. He took his fine wife for granted as an earthly potentate would be toward a person of his harem, and he must have thought he deserved the protection David and his men had provided for him day and night. David and his men were not out in the open and obvious to Nabal and his servants, but their presence nearby was enough of an obstacle to any who would do harm that his possessions were secure and safe.
Most people never stop to consider the Source of all their blessings. "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." Every blade of grass a sheep would eat, the remarkable way the Lord God has created every creature, and even how our bodies function testifies to the fact that we owe "all we are, and have, and hope to be" to God. Also, it is wise not to forget those who make life as we know it possible. Unseen people we will never meet make the social structure of our lives what it is. We should be generous in supporting those who protect us and make it possible for us to prosper and live in peace. The law may not demand us to show kindness to those who enable us to do what we do and live in peace, and we may think our taxes are all we need to be concerned about. However, an attitude of appreciation should be shown toward those who make our lifestyle possible.
Nabal was seen as a "sheep-shearer," not a shepherd. The scene is dark, and evil abounds whenever we read about sheep shearing in the Bible. The world feasts and "parties" at the "sheep shearing" time because they think they have been successful in themselves and "deserve some relaxation." It is often at the "house of feasting" that the excesses of the flesh take over, and normal restrained respect and dignity are lost under the influence of "wine and spirits." On the other hand, sheep are seen in scripture as being led to "green pastures" by a caring shepherd.
The Lord Jesus was in perfect fellowship with His Father during His earthly life. "I do always those things that please the Father." Also, sheep are seen as patient when sheared by the sheep-shearer's hands. When He was taken and bound, He was "As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so opened He, not His mouth." Sheep are also seen as a sacrifice on the altar. On the cross at Calvary, He was "the Lamb as it had been slain," "The One sacrifice for sin..." Our Lord Jesus Christ was all of these and the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for the sheep.
When David's ten men asked for a portion to meet their needs in payment for the protection they provided, they came in peace and respectfully requested on behalf of David. Nabal refused to give anything to his protectors and went so far as to insult him and challenge his loyalty to Israel because Saul was hunting him to kill him. The men sent by David came in peace with a reasonable request that was easy to fulfill. However, Nabal did not just refuse their request but "railed on them" and scorned the message of peace they brought.
The flesh always takes sides with other flesh. The flesh and Spirit are at enmity with each other. There is no way to satisfy both at the same time. The world's way is to maintain the status quo, and if any changes are made, they should be made to please us and give us what we want, not to bring about that which righteous living demands. When one "sets his heart" on riches, he is led away to self-satisfaction, rejecting the grace and goodness of God.
In this narrative, we learn the danger of being impulsive, a characteristic of David throughout his life. We all have natural characteristics that can be dangerous as well as helpful. That is one reason prayer and meaningful communication with the Lord are essential to our lives as Christians. An old saying is, “Act in hast, repent at leisure.” It takes far longer to get back in fellowship with God than it does to lose that fellowship.
When we have been insulted, and our good is evil spoken of, or when the attitude of foolish people is such that it makes us out to be fools, we are in danger of acting in the flesh in taking vengeance and retribution. But vengeance is not our right. "Vengeance is Mine," saith the Lord. "Be ye angry and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath" is a principle we must adhere to. That is a solemn reminder that anger and sin, which go easily together, are nearby. To control anger when it arises is a fundamental necessity of a child of God who lives in this evil society in which we are challenged to "stand up and fight for your rights."
David's anger at Nabal's insults and unfairness is understandable from the standpoint of our humanity, but when anger takes control, there is serious danger at hand. The sinning part was near when David took matters into his own hands, strapped on his sword, and took 400 men with him, determined to kill every male who belonged in Nabal's household—no wonder the frightened servants hurried to tell Abigail of the foolish words of her husband.
Abigail is introduced in this event as a prudent, wise, and thoughtful woman with good insight into what was wrong and what to do about it. She knew what was right, and immediate action was necessary to avoid disaster that would come upon all involved in this matter. Her foresight was such that she knew David would be the king and how vengeance would affect his reputation as the nation's future leader.
The church's work is to act with grace and goodness as an intercessor when wrath seems righteously called for. Like Abigail, we know, "Our Lord is now rejected, and by the world disowned." But now is not the time to insert our opinions and quick temper into the scene. "God is still on the throne," He will deal with injustice, unfairness, and evil in His own time. Abigail was a woman of grace whose name means "The delight of the Father." She is a good Old Testament example of the New Testament church. She was a woman of common sense, good understanding, and spiritual discernment.
Abigail knew David was going to be the king. He already had a good reputation among the people of Israel as a man God was using and who was righteous in his actions. Abigail’s words resonated with David’s spirit, and he knew immediately that the Lord had used her to keep him from acting in self-will and uncontrolled anger. When he was made to stop and listen to her wise counsel, he sensibly took what she said to his heart.
She knew him to be a man who, though homeless, rejected, and hated by Saul, was the man God was with and had anointed as the future king. He was "bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God." God had securely bound him to live and reign, and his enemies would die. She knew God and knew God was with David. She looked beyond the present events dealing with Nabal and Saul and looked into the future. She assumed responsibility for the "present distress" and took the necessary steps to allay the judgment that would fall on the males of her household and the rash actions of David.
When the danger Nabal and the men were in came to her attention, she did not linger but quickly acted to meet the immediate need with wisdom, courage, and honesty. In faith, she did what she could and trusted God to cause David to do what was right when she warned him of the consequences of his hasty action. She acted sensibly on her own behalf and that of her household by bringing more than a bushel of grain, enough bread, raisins, figs, and mutton for David and his men to eat well. She was not stingy in giving, knowing that a person’s “gift” makes room for them to be heard and accepted.
The present she brought was of greater value and power in every way than the swords David and his 400 men had strapped onto themselves. There is very good typical teaching relating to the different offerings to God in the gifts she brought. In these offerings of grace and her humble attitude toward the righteous anger of the avenger, she turned what could have been a fleshly act of a moment into an opportunity for God to accomplish His purposes both in her and David. The grace demonstrated by Abigail triumphs over the darkness of that scene as wisdom, faith, and understanding of God shed light on the real issues at stake.
The paralyzing stroke that stopped Nabal and made him as still as a stone for ten days until he died reminds us that God holds the key in life and death matters. The grace of Abigail brought blessing to her and, through her, to David. When dealing with difficult issues, especially in a family, patiently wait until the time is right, ask God for wisdom, and accept His guidance. Then, when the time comes for confrontation regarding sensitive matters, we will have the mind of God.
Without thought or consideration, the fool, Nabal, brays like an ass. In the mind’s eye, one can see the wealthy, sprawling, unkempt, unashamed, and drunk man thoughtlessly using his fat lips to speak condemnation to himself. The judgment he brought on himself was not brought by one he wronged – but the Lord!
Thankfully, David’s anger was tempered by blessed advice from a prudent woman with common sense and spiritual insight. Making charges without proof or challenging what is unknown by being pressured by someone seeking personal power is not the way to maintain a good, solid, spiritual reputation. One may take pen to paper and identify himself as one who has been wronged and wants recompense, but regret is there before long. As years pass, the conscience speaks, and you have some guilt for taking matters into your own hands after you refused good advice.
By waiting on God, a person can be contented though falsely charged, condemned but not sad, and able to continue living in peace without wasting time in self-justification. You don’t have to worry about rumors floating around or unfounded words, knowing and learning that silent lips don’t sink a lifetime of work. Contentment can come from blessed advice.
If one is challenged to advance a cause because of men’s opinions or is determined to promote a personal conviction as a biblical one, even willing to divide God’s people, listen to prudence and wisdom, and call a full stop. We must stand up for some things, and some we must stand against. Pay attention because wisdom comes from blessed advice.