From 1 Samuel 18 to 31 when Saul dies, the book of 1 Samuel revolves around Saul’s effort to kill David. Chapters 24-26 form a trilogy. Chapters 24 & 26 have the same focus: Saul is saved by David and repents. The middle is chapter 25, with three main characters: Nabal, Abigail and David. It seems that Saul, who does not have a role in chapter 25, has an alter ego in Abigail’s husband, Nabal. It is also true that David has an occasion to kill his enemy (Saul, twice and Nabal) but he is restrained. In fact, the irrational pursuer (King Saul) turns into an irrational pursuer (David) in chapter 25.
Let’s see how it is that Abigail is a “helper suitable” for David and how she “rescued” David from personal revenge, which would have been sinful.
THE MAN AND WOMAN IN THE STORY – 25:1-4
David is in the desert of Paran, near the city of Maon. The author (perhaps the prophet Nathan or Gad since Samuel had died) shows us how David was fleeing from Saul and how he is in the vicinity of Nabal and his beautiful wife, Abigail (vss 1b-3). Abigail is Nabal’s opposite: “intelligent and beautiful in appearance” (25:3; “of good understanding” NKJV).
THE MAN OF GOD DOES RIGHT (25:4-13):
David helps the servants of Nabal and after this, asks for his help. In his message, David uses the word “peace” three times: 25:6. Up to this point, David has a godly (even Christian) attitude. But “peace” from this verse is contrasted with “sword” used in verse 13 (three times), after the offense from Nabal.
David is offended and wants to take vengeance on Nabal. The Bible teaches us that we need to leave vengeance to God (Deut. 32:35; Psa. 94; Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12:19-20). In connection with Saul, David was always waiting on God to work. But here, in a moment of weakness, David is motivated by his human instincts.
THE PRUDENT WOMAN ENTERS THE SCENE (25:14-38):
This means you viagra prescriptions online should not worry when the delivery person gives you the package. http://pamelaannschoolofdance.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Women-Awareness-Self-Defense-Autosaved.pdf generic cialis pill However, Pastor Ed Young has mastered the art of communicating with our prospects and customers. An online forum viagra sans prescription http://pamelaannschoolofdance.com/party-room/ is a great way to improve the sexual intimacy that is lacking in many expensive models. When you suffer from the condition, viagra price uk you do not find ability have an erection for pleasurable lovemaking.
Abigail, in her prudence, stops David from taking unworthy vengeance against Nabal and defuses the potentially disastrous situation!
David had to leave what he did good in the hands of God and patiently receive the reward from Him, and not worry about what Nabal was going to do. But, in a moment of weakness relative to self-control, David wanted to have personal revenge (25:21-22). Observe David’s attitude changed from the fight with Goliath (taking vengeance against the enemies of God) to taking vengeance against his own enemies. This is the nature of vengeance.
Abigail’s speech in verses 23-31 is the heart of the chapter. Read and study it. First, Abigail accepts the blame herself, although she knew nothing about the problem (25:24). Sometimes, a good leader accepts responsibility for something that goes wrong, if only to leave the problems in the past and to move forward. In the second place, observe how Abigail has a healthy self-image. She calls David “her lord or master” 14 times and calls herself “his maidservant” 6 times! Using these words, Abigail massages David’s ego, which had been offended by Nabal. (And she uses the word “please” twice!).
Just as Abigail said, after she returned home, the Lord took Nabal’s life (vss 36-38). It is interesting that the Bible says: “his heart died within him so that he became as a stone” (25:37). In the Bible, the heart is the seat of courage (see 1 Samuel 17:32). Nabal had “hardened” his heart and his fist. The author is explicit that it was the Lord who killed Nabal, fulfilling the words of Abigail. God truly has vengeance.
Guided by the judgment of Abigail, David did not take personal vengeance against Nabal, leaving him alive. But, he trusted God and waited for God to work. God forbids us from taking personal vengeance (cf. Romans 12:17-21). After David waited, God blessed him beyond his imagination: with a wife who was truly a “helper suitable” for him!
Leave vengeance in the hands of God.
–Paul Holland
