David and Abigail

As many who have followed me for a bit, I have fallen into the Psalms, and I can’t get up! (As if I would want to.) The Psalms are a majestic collection of poetry, of heart felt human experiences that constantly challenge me in my own frail attempt to follow the true King. As many of the Psalms are written by David, my study on the Psalms has spurred me on to looking at the life of David, is the main contributor to this book, and to follow the victories and tragedies of the shepherd King of Israel.

Many times in the narrative, we will see the Lord Jesus, imperfectly, yet a reflection of His spirit in a man with weaknesses.

1 Samuel 25:36-38

36 And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light.
37 In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.
38 And about ten days later the LORD struck Nabal, and he died.

She saved the day. Abigail saved the day for Nabal and his household. David had been turned back. David’s rage had been assuaged. Nabal and his foolishness might seem to have been given a pass, at least from his view point.

He may have felt that he was invincible, that David would not so much as attempt to retaliate. After all, he was Nabal, a wealthy man, not unlike a king, and that that by the mere complaint of his voice he could set a standard, avoid his cultural responsibility, and not fear a resulting backlash. No one would dare to hurt Nabal!

Nabal was about to face reality after the wine faded, for after the party, where he was enjoying the multiple fruits of his, (and others) labors, Abigail spoke truth to him. The judgement of an army coming to wipe out the house of Nabal shook Nabal, and the Word speaks of his heart dying within him becoming as stone. Surely this was not the end for Nabal, for the passage tells us he died ten days later.

So what happened to Nabal when Abigail told him of the gift given to David, and of his brush with death. How did Nabal handle the near extermination of his household? What went on in his mind when he realized a woman saved his life? Did he go off sullenly? Did he act out in a childish way, pouting over the happenings of the last 24 hours, in conflict over not having his own way?

It is often true that a fool, when danger is avoided, will continue on in his foolishness. Unless a fool becomes wise, he is a fool. Was he simply upset with the loss of control of Abigail? Of the lost assets that she took to David? Of his inability to lead the household safely? Of his selfishness in his decisions?

Or did he taste in truth the reality of his close escape, the danger he and his household came so close to experiencing, the result of his foolish, rash and proud remarks against the future king of Israel? Might he have suffered a stroke from the stress of the news?

The Word simply states

37 … his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.

How to interpret this may be beyond the intent of this post. But the vengeance David was about to exact on Nabal was performed by the Lord, for he had ten days left. Death was on his doorstep, and would provide another instance where the future king of Israel would see the work of God on his behalf.

38 And about ten days later the LORD struck Nabal, and he died.

Nabal’s death also provided an opportunity for Abigail that may not have been expected when she first thought of her saving effort. But I am getting ahead of myself.

Nabal’s death is a grim reminder that living for self is a path to destruction. A fool can (and is) courting death without realizing the danger he is in.

There are many that reject the counsel of God Almighty to their own detriment, living a life of self assured safety, but ignoring a message of a real danger, a very real declaration of judgement, and that has couched within the judgement, the greatest news ever offered.

This message is a message that resulted in the death of the Only Wise One, to convert fools into followers. As my grandchildren often say, that is a pretty sweet deal.

That is true!

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