Meditation

Hi there,

In the verses we copied yesterday, Nabal was described as "surly and mean in his dealings". Today we discover just how mean and just how surly.

David's men had acted as a de facto security force for Nabal, keeping his men and his flocks safe from harassment. Enabling him to build the flock and enrich himself.

Tradition had the shearing season as a time of generosity and hospitality towards guests. A tradition that chooses not only to ignore, but doubles down on the implied insult by suggesting David is a rebellious servant who has got above his station.

Today's verses are constructed in three movements; first the insult, then David's intended vengeful response and finally Abigail is alerted to the danger.

The text clearly implies that Abigail has in the past used her wisdom to defuse conflicts created by her husband ("think it over and see what you can do").

Tomorrow we'll learn of the actions ensuing from her fast-thinking.

Today's verses are 1 Samuel 25:9-17

David, Nabal and Abigail

⁹ When David’s men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name. Then they waited.

¹⁰ Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. ¹¹ Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?”​

¹² David’s men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word. ¹³ David said to his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did, and David strapped his on as well. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.​

¹⁴ One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “David sent messengers from the wilderness to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. ¹⁵ Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing.

¹⁶ Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our sheep near them.​

¹⁷ Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.”

Encouragement

⁷ Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
​⁹ For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:7-9

​Andy

God's Word In Your Hand

The Bible Project creates fantastic overview videos for all the books of the Bible. This video is a great primer for 1 Samuel.

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