Bible Verse Synopsis 6-9-25

1st Samuel 25:

Samuel dies and all of Israel mourned his death. "And David arose (when or from where is not said) and went down to the wilderness of Paran." - Verse 1. In the wilderness, a man named Nabal sheared his sheep. Nabal was a great man and had a very large flock. His wife was also with him. A beautiful countenance she had, "but the man was churlish and evil in his doing" - Verse 3. David sends 10 boys to share Nabal the news of how he and his men spared them and protected them, even though they knew not. This happened when they were in Carmel. A message like this can be received many ways. What do you expect to happen given what our story says thus far?

Nabal answered in disbelief for he knew not whom David was. He even considered him as low as an escaped slave. Nabal gave David's men nothing, saying "whom I know not whence they be." - Verse 11. He didn't know them. David bade his men, "Gird ye on every man his sword." - Verse 13. They went up after Nabal in force. David seems to have lost track of God, again. HE has not been mentioned one time in this chapter yet. Not even at the death of Samuel. How sad that even our hero cannot stay on course. Do you also wobble off course on occasion? Can you wobble back on easily or does that take God to interfere? I need his interference every day.

Abigail hears of what Nabal did to David. She understood the plight of her husband - little would change his mind. Abigail had to take things into her own hands. She prepared a feast and a loaded it onto donkeys. Verse 19 says: "And she said unto her servants, Go on before; behold I come after you. But she told not her husband, Nabal." David believes that he was requited by Nabal for the work he had done in the wilderness. "So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all who pertain to him by the morning light any who urinates against the wall." - Verse 22. David intended to kill Nabal and whoever got in his way. It is amazing how we can be transformed by the flesh. David even uses God's name to accomplish desires of the flesh. Did you catch that? Do you catch yourself doing things that are not in God's way? When/If you do, what do you do about it?

Once Abigail sees David from the rear of the train of food, she rushed over to him and fell to the ground before him. She prayed to him to hear her and to ignore her husband for he knew nothing and was worthless, "Belial". It seems as though Abigail was the reason for the wealth and not that of Nabal. She must have been a very impressive woman to do dealings in that day and age. She uses the name of the Lord as the reason for stopping the potential for bloodshed. She immediately rights the wrong of Nabal and gives the blessings she brings with her to the 10 boys David had sent to Nabal. They got their reward and then some! Faithful servants of God always receive their reward. What reward are you waiting to receive? Are you worthy to receive it as these boys were? Abigail intervened to protect her husband, who is intervening for you? Are you doing this for someone else?

Abigail continues to see David as different. "For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fights the battles of the Lord, and evil has not been found in you all you days." - Verse 28. She knew him or these things could not be known to her. She knows of Saul's pursuit of David but also recognizes David being safe because David is "bound in the bundle of life with the Lord your God."- Verse 29. She continues on and offers David advice we should all take. Verse 31: That this shall be no grief unto you, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that you have shed blood causeless, or that my lord has avenged himself; but when the Lord shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember your handmaid." She tells David not to do something he would regret or cause him harm later on. Have we taken this advice ourselves?

Upon hearing this advice, David realizes what he was doing. "Surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light." - Verse 34. Because Abigail referenced the Lord, she woke up the spirit inside of him and brought him back to the Lord. David blesses her in verse 33. David accepts the apology for her husband's behavior. Abigail returned home safe from David and his men and thankful of her new found safety. Nabal had a feast and became very drunk. The Lord took the life of Nabal after the way he treated David. When we trust in the Lord, he takes care of us. Are you trusting in Him?

With Abigail free of her marriage vows, David sends for her. He is still thankful for what she has done for him, through the Lord. David married her and then married another. David begins his collection of wives. This is a poor example even of a man chosen by God. None of us can maintain perfection. Even David fell short of the mark. How do we give ourselves the grace to see our faults and repent, as David did to overcome his desires of the flesh? Are we victim to these fleshly desires as well? What holds us to them and away from God?