Day 111, Chronological Bible Study

Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Samuel 25

Consider Your Ways; Be Wise, Not a Fool

We have all done foolish and irresponsible things. The effects of these actions are sometimes harmless and at other times, dangerous. Of course, hindsight is always 20-20; we realize what we should or should not have done in a given situation after the fact. When we are unsure what is right, the following prayer might give us pause before we act with haste: “LORD, protect me from my foolishness and help me to behave with wisdom and discretion.”

In today’s Bible reading we are continuing the story of David.

While David was in the desert [fleeing from King Saul and his senseless jealousy], he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!

Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my young men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them,” (1Samuel 25:4- 8, NIV).

Nabal is a wealthy businessman; however, he is mean, not even thankful for those who protect his assets. Nabal’s name means “fool,” for that is what he is. While he is feasting and celebrating a good return on his investment, David sends a few of his men to ask for small compensation for their services. Nabal refuses to give them anything.

When David hears the response of Nabal, he is quick to react to the insult. Instead of asking counsel from the LORD, he told his men to put on their swords. He wants revenge!

Hasty decisions can lead to ruin or a marred reputation. God is gracious to the righteous, however, if they will submit to his ways of doing things. He offers us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life (more…). He will be our defense. The LORD said, “vengeance is mine; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19).

When Abigail hears how her husband, Nabal, insulted David’s men, she knows there will be trouble. Her servants inform her that David’s men have been a wall of protection around Nabal’s flocks so that he lost nothing. His stupidity will cost her family dearly. Quickly, Abigail prepares a feast to give to David and his men, and then she makes a personal plea for forgiveness for her husband’s foolishness. She expresses faith in David’s goodness, integrity, and his future. She soon calms his anger and shows herself to be a wise woman. David is impressed!

We can learn many lessons from Abigail in handling offenses.

1. Do it with wisdom and speed! Pray then act!

2. Sympathize and empathize with the person who feels wronged.

3. Lessen the effect of any insults, if possible, with apologies and grace.

4. Humble yourself, and apologize. Although we might not be directly at fault, we may be related to someone whose wrongdoing affects us.

5. If the offended person is a Christian, express faith in the other person’s forgiving nature and goodness, and then hope he will forgive the wrong.

6. Seek the welfare of the one offended. Abigail cared about David—he might live with guilt for seeking useless revenge against Nabal. State how refraining from undesirable actions or behavior will benefit the offended person.

7. Express belief and confidence that the faithful person, although slighted, will do the right thing.

David heeds the wisdom of Abigail and spares both he and his men from the foolishness of avenging themselves. What do we do when someone injures us? Do we pray before we react? Do we listen to the advice of godly counsel? Sometimes, there is a need for action, but other times there is a need to let the LORD be our defender and provider.

God strikes Nabal with a heart attack or stroke, and he dies. David is vindicated. God shows David is righteous, and Nabal is a fool. His death, however, could leave Abigail destitute. David is thankful for her wisdom and generosity; Abigail is an incisive woman; she realizes David is struggling against Saul, but she tells David she has confidence that the LORD will help him fulfill his destiny. She is wise, humble, kind, and desirable to David. He takes her to become his wife.

Marrying Abigail would have been acceptable if David had not been already married. He sets a bad example for his sons by marrying many wives, which is against God’s directives (Deuteronomy 17:17). While we have no evidence that they drew him away from the LORD, we will see that his future son, Solomon, has many troubles because of his numerous marriages. We need to be careful of the examples we set.

Here is a video related to today’s lesson.

Focus Verse

Proverbs 12:16 (NIV) “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.”

Discussion

What can we do to keep from making foolish decisions?

How can we lessen the effects of someone’s foolish words or actions?

“Don’t do what I do; do what I say” is what many parents tell their children. Is there anything wrong with that? Why or why not?