Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, David my son;youwill do great things and surely triumph." So David went on his way, and Saul returned home. 1 Samuel 26:25 - P102
[NIV] 14 One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal‘s wife, "David sent messengers from the wilderness to give ourmaster his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. - P108
17 Now think it over and see what you can do, becausedisaster is hanging over our master and his whole house-hold. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk tohim." - P108
21 David had just said, "It‘s been useless-all my watch-ing over this fellow‘s property in the wilderness so thatnothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evilfor good. - P109
22 May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, ifby morning I leave alive one male of all who belong tohim!" - P109
One of Nabal‘s servants tells his wife Abigail what has happened betweenher husband and David. - P109
Realizing her household is in danger, Abigail takesbread, wine, sheep, grain, raisins, and pressed figs and goes to meet David. David says that Nabal has paid him back evil for good and swears that he willdestroy Nabal‘s household. - P109
With David bent on swift revenge, it takes the intervention of twopeople to prevent unnecessary carnage. A servant of Nabal hurries overto Nabal‘s wife, Abigail, and apprises her of the dire situation. - P110
Whenwe see a relationship descending toward an explosive conflict, it canbe tempting to be passive and tell ourselves that it is not our place orour problem. - P110
But this servant, instead of keeping it to himself, displaysthe heart of a peacemaker as he begs Abigail for help. - P110
When we werestill sinners, our Savior Jesus Christ directly intervened to reconcile usto God. - P110
May we therefore be people who promote unity and helprestore peace in our spheres of influence. - P110
Abigail wastes no time and immediately springs into action. Shedemonstrates wisdom in preparing food for David and his men sinceshe knows that they will be hungry. - P110
Likewise, God desires to use us tobless others going through difficult times by meeting their felt needssuch as food, clothes, or money. - P110
As Abigail approaches, we can see thatDavid is still in a foul mood and that Abigail and those with her areputting themselves at risk by going to meet him. - P110
And yet she does nothesitate to do the right thing. - P110
Her quickness is indicative of one whofears God more than she fears man-an attitude we ought to emulatein our relationships with others. - P110
|