I Samuel 25:1-44
Today we are moving on to I Samuel 25.
We are going to see once again the providence of God at
work in David’s life. This time however, we are going to
see David respond in the flesh rather than the spirit.
Let’s pray and ask God to teach us His truth this morning
as we study His word.
I Samuel 25:1
The Death of Samuel
Samuel Dies and all Israel mourns for him.
He was an incredible servant of God.
I’m sure David wanted to be a part of it, but due to Saul
still trying to kill him, David likely missed out on Samuel’s
burial.
I Samuel 25:2-3
Nabal’s Foolishness
Nabal was a rich man, he owned 3000 sheep and 1000
goats.
It was time to shear the sheep which would have
provided even more wealth to this rich man.
The shearing normally happened twice a year, in the
spring and the early fall.
It was a time of celebration and hospitality for most
people.
There was sort of an unwritten rule for the shearing that
the sheep owners would give gifts to those who took care
of the sheep.
But notice this rich man’s name was Nabal. The word
nabal in Hebrew means foolish.
Verse 3 tells us that he was harsh and badly behaved.
His wife on the other hand was named Abigail, which
means my father is joy. Verse 3 tells us that she was a
discerning and beautiful woman. She was wise and her
husband was foolish.
Talk about opposites attract.
I Samuel 25:4-9
David’s Request
David heard it was time for the shearing, so he sent 10
men to Nabal.
David sends them in his name and tells them to greet
him with a 3 fold blessing.
Peace to you
Peace to your house
Peace to all you have
David also advised his men to remind Nabal of how they
have treated his shearers and his other shepherds. None
of his men have been harmed. David and his men have
been watching out for Nabal’s men.
David also asks for a gesture of goodwill from Nabal.
He doesn’t quantify how much he was looking for, he
simply said at the feast give us whatever is in your hand.
I Samuel 25:10-13
Nabal Rejects David’s Request
Nabal asks, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse?”
This is how Saul so often referred to David – son of Jesse.
It’s disrespectful of Nabal to act like David is a stranger.
He has been helping Nabal’s shepherds and they even
testify a few verses later that David and his men were
like a wall to them by night and day.
Nabal, in no uncertain terms, lets David’s men know that
he has no intention of providing any benefit to them.
Nabal has forgotten that everything he has is from God.
Deut 8:17-18 “Beware lest you say in your heart,
‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten
me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your
God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth,
that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to
your fathers, as it is to this day.”
Everything we have comes from the Lord.
Nabal shows how truly foolish he is for not helping David.
The men return to David with Nabal’s response.
When David hears this, he is infuriated.
David instructs 400 of his men to strap on his sword and
David strapped on his sword.
David didn’t consult God.
He didn’t pray to see what God wanted.
He responded in the flesh.
The same way Saul had been acting toward him.
It’s kind of ironic don’t you think?
I Samuel 25:14-19
Nabal’s man testifies on David’s Behalf
After hearing how upset David was and how Nabal acted
so foolishly toward him, the young man went to Abigail
and told her everything.
He told her how her husband railed David’s men when
they were simply asking for a small token of goodwill.
He testified about how good David’s men had been
toward them. How they helped and protected their sheep.
He then asked Abigail what she should do because David
was coming for Nabal and intended to kill all the males of
the household.
Abigail’s Wisdom
Abigail quickly prepared 200 loaves of bread, 2 skins of
wine, 5 sheep and several other items as a goodwill
offering for David and his men. She was fully aware that
this would not feed all 400 men, but it was an olive
branch.
She tells her men to go on ahead of her with the gift and
she will be along shortly.
She didn’t tell Nabal what she was doing.
She realized the truth from Proverbs 15:1, “A soft
answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs
up anger.”
Her foolish husband had stirred up anger in David by his
harsh words. Abigail is attempting to diffuse the
situation.
I Samuel 25:20
God’s Providence
David and Abigail could have been on different paths, but
God directed both of their paths so that they would meet
on that road while they were both coming down the
mountain. This was no accident. This was the providence
of God.
He wanted them to meet so that she could calm David
down.
Once again God intervenes at the exact right moment to
accomplish His perfect will.
It reminds me of this illustration.
Rowland V. Bingham, founder of the Sudan Interior
Mission, was once seriously injured in a terrible
automobile accident.
Rushed to the hospital in critical condition, he did
not regain consciousness until the next day.
When he asked the nurse what he was doing there,
she replied, “Don’t try to talk now, just rest.
You have been in an accident.”
“Accident? Accident?” exclaimed Dr. Bingham.
“There are no accidents in the life of the Christian.
This is just an incident in God’s perfect leading.”
Our attitude toward the Lord’s leading our steps
ought to be the same. For the child of God, there
are no accidents, only incidents reflecting
providences of God’s sovereign control.
I Samuel 25:21-22
David’s Outrage
David can’t believe he wasted his time helping Nabal’s
men. He showed kindness and was repaid with evil.
This is what Saul attempted to do to David in chapter 24,
so why is David so upset with Nabal after he showed Saul
compassion and mercy when he had the chance to
eliminate him?
David is ready to kill every male in Nabal’s house.
It’s a good reminder that we need to depend on the
Holy Spirit to constantly help us respond in a way
that honors God.
I Samuel 25:23-31
Abigail’s Apology
Honors David – by bowing down
Takes Responsibility – on me be the guilt
Disregards Nabal – do not regard this worthless fellow
Prays for David’s Protection -may the Lord make your enemies fools, like Nabal
Offers David a Gift – food
Seeks David’s Forgiveness – forgive the trespasses
Acknowledges David’s Kingship – prince over Israel
Ask for David’s Kindness – remember your servant
Abigail prevents David from behaving like Saul.
Aren’t you glad when God puts people in your life to keep
you from doing what you shouldn’t do?
I Samuel 25:32-35
David’s Response
David Praises God for His Providence for sending Abigail
to keep him from doing something he shouldn’t have.
He Blesses Abigail for her Discernment.
Remember how verse 3 described her as discerning and
beautiful.
He Blesses Abigail for keeping David from Murder
David accepted her gift and sent her back home in peace, (shalom). He assured her that he granted her requests.
I Samuel 25:36-38
Nabal’s Death
When Abigail got home she found Nabal drunk.
She waited until the next morning to tell him everything
that had happened with David.
When he heard it his heart died and he was like stone.
This phrase is unclear, but what is clear is verse 38 that
God struck him down and he died.
Nabal had no relationship with God.
He faced the wrath of God and was judged for his sin.
I Samuel 25:39-44
David and Abigail Marry
David once again blessed God for preventing him from
harming Nabal.
He then asks Abigail to be his wife.
She agrees but in true servant fashion asks to wash the
feet of David’s servants.
What a humble woman.
APPLICATION
Remember God is directing our path.
He is working things together for those who love Him and
are called according to His purposes.
Obey the Holy Spirit’s leading.