“21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.
22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.” (1 Samuel 25:21-22)
David’s Temper
When David approached Nabal he expected to make Nabal his friend. When you approach someone in a meek fashion, they tend to take advantage of you. Nabal was so selfish that eventhough he had more than enough to share, he was not going to do that. Instead he heaped insults on David.
Nabal’s retort hit a nerve in David, now he armed his men to destroy Nabal and his entire family, servants and all. David’s demeanor changed from a patient man, to a Saul-like man. David did not consult God, now he was bent of destruction.
Abigail
Abigail was a beautiful woman, virtuous, and wise. Much wiser than her husband Nabal. As was the custom of the time, Abigail did not marry Nabal because she wanted to. Abigail’s father had married her off to Nabal.
Abigail knew where she stood with Nabal. She also knew that she was responsible to protect Nabal. That takes strength! It takes FAITH!
Abigail’s Servant
Abigail’s servant could have gone to Nabal about David’s plan to destroy him. There is no doubt that Nabal would have treated his servant harshly. Instead the servant goes to Abigail.
Abigail listened to her servant and contemplated what she should do.
Abigail’s Plan
“18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.” (1 Samuel 25:18)
Abigail did not delay. She knew that she could not appease Nabal, but she could at least try to appease David. Abigail did not do this for her own pride, she did it to defend Nabal. With this gift to David, Abigail atones for Nabal’s rejection of David.
“20 And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.” (1 Samuel 25:20)
Abigail could see David’s anger. She practices appeasement, by lowering herself to David.
“23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,” (1 Samuel 25:23)
Abigail atones for Nabal’s harsh treatment of David.
“24 And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.” (1 Samuel 25:24)
Abigail takes the responsibility of how horribly Nabal had treated David’s servants. She pleads compassion for poor Nabal. His name means Fool, and a Fool he is.
Abigail knows that her argument to stop David’s anger has had an effect.
“26 Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.” (1 Samuel 25:26)
Abigail is saying, “God is stopping you from killing, and that your enemies will be dealt with by God.”
Conclusion
Abigail stops David from his own wrath and turning the problem over to God. And that is our (you, me and us) problem. We can’t stop evil by using evil means. We must pray to God for protection, and God will provide it.
Stay Tuned…
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