09(1Sam 25) Crafting Peace
1 Samuel 25:2-3
§ “good understanding” – intelligent.
1 Samuel 25:4-8
§ Sheep shearing time was a festive occasion, and Nabal s/b in a good mood.
1 Samuel 25:9-12
§ Nabal recognized no authority other than his own.
§ He is unwilling to even give the men bread and water, a basic courtesy.
1 Samuel 25:13-17, 21-22
§ David responds to the snub with anger, not going to let that pass, it wasn’t right, etc.
§ Nabal’s actions are not only known to Abigail.
§ She did not choose to explain away his behavior or make excuses for Nabal.
I. Abigail’s Craft
A. She made haste to resolve the conflict (18)
§ She does what should have been done.
§ She hopes to avert a disaster for herself and those she loves.
§ She wisely doesn’t approach or reproach Nabal (19)
§ What she does she does for Nabal’s benefit – to tell him would be to harm him.
B. She shows the consideration that her husband did not (23-24)
§ She is humble as she approaches a dangerous situation.
§ That confidence in the storm will come with trust in God.
C. She puts a distance between herself and the offense (25-31)
§ She admits his folly in ignoring David and his men.
§ Yet she also appeals to the character of David to stay his anger.
§ She needed to win David without betraying Nabal.
§ Solution: intercedes on Nabal’s behalf while admitting he has no case or hope for survival.
§ In other words, while defending him, she disassociates herself from him.
§ Her urgency is modulated throughout by courtesy and politeness.
§ Her description of Nabal as “a fool” is neither disloyal nor heartless.
§ David would not have had a wife who displayed either poor trait.
§ Yet her integrity prevents her from pulling any punches.
§ Her plea is to Scripture: “vengeance is mine, says the Lord.”
D. David agrees to her request (32-34)
§ He admits she would have been harmed as well.
§ He heeds Abigail (34) not to make amends with Nabal, but out of respect for Abigail.
II. Abigail’s Timing (36-38)
§ While Nabal had refused to give any food, now he is seen gorging himself with food.
§ Abigail chooses the right time to speak to her husband, when he will fully understand.
§ The shock did not kill him, he died ten days later by the hand of God.
§ But the news did turn his heart stone cold, the opposite of what repentance does.
§ Ezekiel 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
E. David recognizes that God is fully capable of taking vengeance. (39)
§ The contrast is remarkable:
§ The Lord kept David from doing wrong.
§ The Lord brought Nabal’s wrong doing down on his own head.
§ Joel 3:4 "Indeed, what have you to do with Me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia? Will you retaliate against Me? But if you retaliate against Me, Swiftly and speedily I will return your retaliation upon your own head”