20/11/11

Nabal the rich fool and Abigail the wise wife

1 Samuel 25:33 - And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.


The chapter 1 Samuel 25 is a beautiful story of Abigail who was one of David's wives. Before becoming David's wife she was wife of a very rich shrewd man named Nabal. It may surprise you that the word 'Nabal' in Hebrew means fool. This was not his nick name but his real name. He was a very shrewd person who was unfair even to his own servants.

This story takes place before David became king of Israel and during the times he would wander in the wilderness with a group of people hiding from King Saul while fighting the battles of the Lord.

During these times David's men used to give protection to Nabal's flock which was very large (3000 sheep and 1000 goats) and also to Nabal's workers.

One day when David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep, David send his men to him to ask him for a thanksgiving, to give out of love not only to David and his men but also to his own servants. David did not go with a demand but with a request. But when Nabal ridiculed David and his men it angered David so much that he sent a small armed army to finish Nabal.

When Abigail who was Nabal's wife then heard this she hurried on a donkey taking along things which she could offer David as thanksgiving. Abigail was a beautiful and intelligent woman. She met David and his men on his way to attack Nabal. She pleads of David not to kill her husband, at the same time she did not justifying the actions or character of her husband. The way she puts her case before David convinces David that the Lord will take care of Nabal and he need not dirty his hands with his blood.

It does happen that after David spares his life and after Abigail tells Nabal about this incident the next day, after all the alcohol he had the night before wears off. It is written his heart died within him and he became a stone meaning heavy hearted.

Even though he was sorry, yet after ten days he died by the hands of the Lord (he may have fallen sick and died or may have been killed by a person, the details are not given). It is written he was sad and sorry but it isn't written that he repented.

When Nabal died David sends message with his men to Abigail if she would be willing to be his wife, which she willingly accepts.

What we learn from today's message about Nabal who was a man of his name. Although he had every earthly thing, a good wife, riches and good servants yet due to his shrewdness he became vanity. His wife did not defend his way of life but defended him because of her relation to him.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, we thank You for the two messages You give us today. One of not being a fool like Nabal and second to be like Abigail who loved Nabal even though she knew he was wrong but at the same time did not justify his actions. She was courageous and did not fear even though being a woman. She did not fear to meet David, nor feared to confront her husband Nabal; but did all things with wisdom. Lord, help us to learn from these examples...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Read 1 Samuel 25

1 Timothy 6:9 - But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Colossians 4:5 - Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.



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