Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 14, 2016 Protected Background: 1 Samuel 25:1-43 Lesson: 1 Samuel 25:14-17, 32-38 Motivation: God protects us in numerous ways: angels, wisdom, the Holy Spirit and even rules are cited in Scripture as God s instruments of protection. Sometimes, a friend is used by God to prevent rash actions and to keep us in His will. Such an incident frames this week s study. I. Direct Affront (25:1-13) The chapter begins with Samuel s death. All Israel mourned for Samuel, a true giant of the Old Testament. The narrative quickly moves on to David s future wife, Abigail. A. Integrity David then went down to the Wilderness of Paran (1) David and his armed band went to the wilderness in order to not cross swords with King Saul. A small army, like David s, was good for protecting but not so good for providing. Faced with this dilemma, an army could simply take what it needed by force; however, being a man of integrity, David earned his keep by protecting the local citizenry, including Nabal, from marauding bands of raiders. B. Interest Go up to Carmel, and when you come to Nabal, greet him in my name (5) 1. Riches: he was a very rich man (2) Nabal was a descendant of Caleb (3) whose fortune was based on agriculture. Because of the size of his herds (3) he was also vulnerable to rustlers. David s army afforded him protection and did not harass the shepherds or even demand a single sheep (7). 1 / 11
2. Resume: was harsh and evil in his dealings (3) Obviously, Nabal came from the shallow end of Caleb s gene pool where integrity was concerned! Riches do not necessarily translate into gentility; nor do possessions automatically make a person noble. (Luke 12:15-21) 3. Request: Please give whatever you can afford to your servants and to your son David (8) This was not a shakedown or an example of extortion. There was simply an unwritten understanding that payment was due for services rendered C. Insult: Nabal raised question s concerning David s character: 1. David s Standing Who is David? Who is Jesse s son? (10) Nabal knew very well who David was; his question might be understood as who does David think he is asking me for money?! 2. David s Loyalty Many slaves these days are running away from their master. (10) Nabal would have known that Saul drove David away. His insult is intended to question the legitimacy of David s occupation of the land. Thus, Nabal rationalized his own selfishness! 3. David s Worthiness Am I supposed to take my bread, my water, and my meat that I butchered for my shearers and give them to these men? I don t know where they are from. (11) Explore the Bible Commentary (Spring, 2001), p. 121: Nabal spoke only of his bread and water, his meat, his shearers (25:11). He did not admit that had not David s men been a wall around his shepherds and herds night and day, Nabal would have had a smaller flock to shear and perhaps the loss of servants to deplore (25:16). D. Indignation All of you, put on your swords! (25:12-13) J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible, Vol. 2, describes David as redheaded and hot-headed. We find later exactly what David planned by setting out with four hundred armed men. Nabal s servant felt there is certain to be trouble for our master and his entire household. (17) One assumes that David didn t need a small army to simply trade insults. He intended 2 / 11
to kill everyone in Nabal s household. (22) II. Disaster Foreseen (14-17, 18-31) One of Nabal s young men informed Abigail, Nabal s wife: Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he yelled at them. 15 The men treated us well. When we were in the field, we weren t harassed and nothing of ours was missing the whole time we were living among them. 16 They were a wall around us, both day and night, the entire time we were herding the sheep. 17 Now consider carefully what you must do, because there is certain to be trouble for our master and his entire family. He is such a worthless fool nobody can talk to him! (14-17, 18-31) Believer s Study Bible, p. 412: 25:18 The strange story of Abigail and Nabal was included not only to explain the marriage of Abigail and David, but also to demonstrate God s intervention in behalf of the faithful wife of a vexing husband. Though some have interpreted Abigail s actions to be rebellious, that is not the perspective of the text. Realizing that Nabal had not only refused David s request but also had taunted him (vv. 10, 11), Abigail acted out of love for her husband as well as out of concern for the multitude of lives involved. Moreover, she provided the necessities requested by David and pleaded for leniency toward Nabal (v. 26), though she did provide a fair assessment of his character in verbalizing her defense (v. 25; Nabal means fool ). Abigail even offered to accept vicariously the guilt of Nabal (v. 24). That this interpretation is surely correct may be understood from David s assessment that God sent Abigail (v. 32), and by the fact that God delivered the death blow to Nabal about 10 days later (v. 38). The incident provides a wonderful plan for an appeal to reconciliation: A. Define the Proper Message One of Nabal s young men informed Abigail... (14) How do we right a wrong? Nabal was a fool because he didn t obtain the facts before making a decision. (Prov. 17:28) Abigail, however, carefully listened and ascertained that a wrong had taken place: 3 / 11
1. David s men had never mistreated Nabal s shepherds (15) 2. David s men had been extremely honest and fair (15) 3. David s men had protected Nabal s flocks 24/7 (16) 4. Nabal was a scoundrel (17) HCSB: p.486: 25:17 The words consider carefully what you must do from Nabal s employees show they had probably come to Abigail on other occasions to cover Nabal s bad decisions. They would not have referred to him as such a worthless fool unless he had a history of poor judgment. B. Determine the Proper Motivation Nabal was motivated by greed (Col. 3:5; Heb. 13:5), David by anger and revenge. Abigail had loftier motivations: 1. Motivated by Fairness Abigail immediately realized that her husband had cheated David. Her assessment of her own husband ( worthless man st upidity is all he knows ) (25), was harsh, but accurate. She honestly wanted to make things right. 2. Motivated by Fear Fear for the fate of her husband and family required urgency on Abigail s part. God made us with feelings; often, these feelings can put wings on our feet to move more quickly toward the correct course of action. Abigail hurried (18), 3. Motivated by Family Some have criticized Abigail for circumventing her husband s desires. However, God gives us families for protection; often a family member can protect us against blind spots. One gets the sense that this was not the first time that Abigail had bailed out Nabal. 4 / 11
4. Motivated by the Future Once Abigail understood the facts, she had a God-given ability to project future outcomes if she did not intervene: a) Her future (as well as her family s) was in doubt; b) Nabal s future (as well as the family business) was soon to be history; c) David s future as King would be tarnished by his impulsive actions. (30-31) C. Display the Proper Manner fell with her face down to the ground in front of David. (23) 1. She offered atonement taking 200 loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, a bushel of roasted grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 cakes of pressed figs... (18) Abigail s offering to David clearly communicated that a mistake had been made and that she wanted to correct it. 2. She acted in humility and with respect the guilt is mine, my lord, (24) In his book, T he Marriage Builder, chapter 4, Larry Crabb states that one of the most damaging things in communication is attempting to excuse wrong actions. For instance, when a wife says you hurt my feelings..., a husband will often try to: a. Defend/explain The reason I said that... What I meant was... b. Apologize 5 / 11
I m really sorry that... I shouldn t have said that... c. Attack I admit what I did was wrong, but you... Well, maybe you re right, but what I can t understand is why you... d. Advise Maybe you should... It seems to me that if you... e. Disdain I don t really see why you feel... Gee, honey, there s no need to feel... 6 / 11
f. Correct What I think you really mean is... I don t think you feel... Abigail accepted the legitimacy of David s feelings and took full responsibility. This is a striking example of the truth of Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away anger 3. She provided a solution a. Offer tangible proof Accept this gift your servant has brought to my lord, and. let it be given to the young men who follow my lord (27) b. Seek reconciliation Please forgive your servant s offense (28) c. Provide a blessing for the Lord is certain to make a lasting dynasty for my lord because he fights the Lord s battles. (28) (II Sam. 7:16) d. Describe the Benefits there will not be remorse or a troubled conscience for my lord because of needless bloodshed or my lord s revenge, nor offense of heart to my Lord (31) D. Detail the Proper Ministry - Explore the Bible Commentary (Spring, 2001), p. 125: Abigail affirmed her respect for David and her virtually prophetic insight by saying that she knew the Lord would do great things in his life. No doubt aware of Saul s efforts to kill David, she pictured the Lord as 7 / 11
bundling together His precious possessions to protect them, including David. Also, the Lord would deal with David s enemies and would appoint him leader over Israel. She concluded by giving David something to consider seriously. If David turned aside from his vengeance, he would not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself when he entered into his reign. What an extraordinary intercession Abigail offered! She cautioned David against allowing anger and desire for revenge to control him. She gave him an opportunity to reassess his attitude and his intentions. She in effect encouraged him to exercise mercy and thus prevent the cycle of vengeance from even getting started. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. (Rom. 12:19) III. David Relents (32-35) Then David said to Abigail, Praise to the Lord God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today! 33 Your discernment is blessed, and you are blessed. Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand. 34 Otherwise, as surely as the Lord God of Israel lives, who prevented me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, Nabal wouldn t have had any men left by morning light. 35 Then David accepted what she had brought him and said, Go home in peace. See, I have heard what you said and have granted your request. (32-35) A. Divine Appointment- David acknowledged that God sent Abigail. HCSB: p.487: 25:32-3 5 Davi d confirmed Abigail s role as God s instrument of deliverance for her husband and her household. He told her, I have granted your request (lit I have lifted up your face ). 8 / 11
B. Discerning Woman- Abigail is recognized and appreciated. C. Disturbing Threat- David confirms that he intended to wipe Nabal out. D. Diplomatic Favor- Abigail s gracious manner and God-led message bore fruit! IV. Destinies Fulfilled (38-43) A. Nabal Whacked the Lord struck Nabal dead. (38) Allowing time for the Lord to work is an exercise in faith and patience! B. David and Abigail Wed (39-44) Believer s Study Bible, p. 413: 25:44 Saul had acted faithlessly toward David in giving Michal to Palti as his wife. This explains why David married Abigail at this point (v. 40). However, David also made the common mistake of his day in the practice of polygamy (v. 43) (Deut. 17:14-17). Application 1. God often sends faithful friends for our protection. 2. Our anger rarely accomplishes God s purposes. 3. Reconciliation requires a humble attitude and diplomatic approach. Leader s Pack item 14: Poster: 1 Samuel 16:7 9 / 11
Biblical Illustrator p. 85 David s Wives Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.or g ; Dates: 2016 8/13 Oasis Single Mom s Conference; 8/19-20 HUB LBS Volunteer Leader Retreat @ Hunt; 8/21 Back to School Sunday & Welcome to the HUB @ Loop; 8/21 SPF Birthday Bash; 8/24 Midlink Preview Night; 8/27 Parent Conference; 8/31 AMP/WIRED Back 2 School night; 9/9-11 SPF Family Camp @ Stoney Creek Ranch; 9/11 Fall LBS Luncheon; 9/12-14 ION Conference; 9/17 Men:Serve; 9/17-18 9 th gr. Event & Parent Hang out; 9/18 Make It Your Church Orientation; 9/25 SPF Birthday Bash; 9/25 MS Family Park Day; 10/1 Men s Ministry Wild Game Dinner; 10/7-8 Women s Retreat @ Omni; 10/9 Parent Commitment; 10 / 11
10/14 Lifeway/UBA Pastors Dinner; 10/15 Celebration Tickets go on sale; 10/16 Lord s Supper; 10/16 SPF B-day Bash; 10/20-21 Men s Ministry Conference; 10/21 MS Bonfire @ the Farm; 10/31 First Fest; 11/5 - Men: Serve; 11/7-8 Grow Team Retreat; 11/11-12 HUB As We Go Wknd; 11/13 SPF B-day Bash; 11/13 DTW Appreciation Luncheon; 11/17 Missions Gala; 11/20 Make It Your Church Orientation; 11/24-25 Thanksgiving Holidays; 12/4 HUB Christmas Palooza; 12/7-11 Celebration; 12/18 SPF Birthday Bash; 12/23 & 26 Christmas Holiday offices closed; 12/25 NO LBS 5:00pm Service only; 12/31 Summit NYE Party; 1/1/17 No LBS 10:00 am Service only. 11 / 11