Journey Thru The Bible! (1 Samuel 25 - 27)

Click on the above Scripture to read today's text!

The last several chapters have shown us a lot about the dangerous effect of personal pride! During the past couple of days, we've seen how King Saul was consumed with pride, and how it caused him to do some crazy things and make false accusations. In today's text, we see how pride and arrogance destroys another man - his name is Nabal.

Here are a few lessons we can get out of today's Bible reading...

1) Humility is more productive than arrogance! David's environment was no different than ours today. There are many people, like Nabal, who earn a great living by being cruel and unjust in their financial affairs. Nabal had become extremely wealthy utilizing the tools of self-confidence and pure meanness. But, in chapter 25, we see how it eventually killed him! In spite of the fact that David and his mighty men had protected his livestock and his shepherds, Nabal was simply mean to the core of his being. This meanness made him foolish in many decisions, especially when it came to responding to David's request for food. Nabal belittled David, and did not give any gratitude or consideration for how he and his men had protected his livelihood.

When David heard how unthankful and belittling Nabal was towards him and his men, he was ready to kill Nabal and all of his hired servants and take the spoil. But, Nabal had a wise and humble wife who, when she heard of what her husband had done to reject David's offer and speak unkindly of him, she worked quickly to resolve the issue! Here's how brilliant her diplomatic skills were and how discerning she was...

- First, she exercised the power of humility (vs.24)! Humility is a quality that shows no aggression and is appreciated by most people. Look what she did - "She fell at his (David's) feet and said, 'I accept all the blame in this matter, my lord."

- Next, she confessed the foolishness of the decision (vs.25)! She calmed David's heart by confessing the foolishness of Nabal's decision and his wickedness.

- She showed respect and concern for David, his reputation, and his ability (vs.26-31)! Abigail proved that she had great discernment about David and his future as the King of Israel. That's all most of us want anyway! We want respect. What offended David was Nabal's lack of respect.

- She gave David what he needed! By answering David's request, she showed just how thankful and grateful she was. True gratitude yields action!

The story ends with God striking Nabal with a stroke and then death some 10 days later. David would have committed murder against Nabal, but a wise woman prevented it and trusted God to take care of any vengence due her husband. David praised the Lord for her wise actions!

2) Leaders lead the way! David becomes the leader of a band of approximately 400 men and proves his leadership by leading his men into harm's way. David is NOT a leader in title only, he leads by example. During the charge into battle, he leads the way! In chapter 26, he decides to put himself in harm's way by going into Saul's camp to snatch Saul's spear and jug of water. Instead of coming up with the idea and saying, "Ok...who wants to go get Saul's spear for me?" or commanding a couple of his men to do the job, David says in 26:6, "Who will volunteer to go in there with me?" David, by truly leading his men, earns the respect of his men and they are voluntarily willing to lay down their life for him! That's the sign of a true leader!

3) Put difficult matters into God's Hands! Once again, we see Saul chasing after David. But, notice what David does! Instead of following the advice of his soldiers to kill King Saul, he teaches them a couple of valuable lessons...

- Lesson 1: Never harm God's anointed! In 26:9, David says to his men, "For who can remain innocent after attacking the Lord's anointed one?"

- Lesson 2: Leave vengeance up to God! In verse 10, he teaches his men, "Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle. The Lord forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed!"

4) Be productive, even when you fill displaced! Several years before, David was anointed by Samuel to be the new King of Israel. Unfortunately, God had not removed King Saul yet, and furthermore, Saul was wanting to kill David out of jealousy. David felt extremely displaced. As an act of survival, he flees to Israel's enemies (the Philistines) and lives among them for nearly a year and a half! But, in spite of the horrible feelings of being abandoned by God and God's people, David continues to be productive by engaging in destroying the people God commanded Israel to destroy long ago. David proves to be a productive servant, getting things accomplished for the glory of God and His purpose in spite of the fact that he is living with the enemy!

May the Lord give you an opportunity to glorify Him today!