GENERAL
The people
(characters in the story) in I Sam. 25:3-42 are Nabal
- foolish and wicked; Abigail - joy of the father, and
David - anointed King of Israel. The following is a
verse by verse explanation of this story.
SCRIPTURE
V 3. We meet Nabal,
rough and evil descendant of Caleb, and Abigail, woman
of good understanding and beautiful. Probably father
chose Nabal for her.
V 4. David needs
provisions and hears of Nabal's sheep shearing (custom
to have a celebration at shearing time).
V 5. Sends envoy to
request food; David humbles himself.
V 6. Salute him
warmly, respectfully and peacefully.
V 7. Recount our
protection over you and your flocks.
V 8. Send whatever
you have.
V 9. David's men
obey.
V 10-11. Nabal
reviles David and refuses to send food ignoring
David's protection. Nabal does not follow area custom
of receiving guests and showing gratitude.
V 12. Men return
empty-handed and recount their experience.
V 13. David loses
his head and becomes angry enough to shed innocent
blood. Rejection, bitterness and rebellion against
God's decree happened very quickly. Willing to involve
400 men in his sin.
V 14. A faithful
servant (even the servants knew Abigail to be wiser
than Nabal) reports the incident correctly.
V 15-16. Reports
David's kindness and protection.
V 17. Gave advice to
Abigail. Abigail not too proud to consider advice from
servant; both the servant and Abigail knew the house
was in grave danger because Nabal did not act
according to custom.
V 18. Abigail made
haste. David asked for whatever they had. She sends
the best and more than was asked: 200 loaves, 2 skins
of wine, 5 sheep already dressed, 5 measures parched
grain, 100 cluster raisins and 200 cakes of figs.
Abigail did not have
to take time to fast or pray - she was on target with
God and completely understood her husband. Did not
consider her life. David might have attacked and not
talked. Only the men's lives were in danger, not hers.
Did not consider
herself as separate from her husband. Had full
understanding of marriage relation and responsibility.
If she hated her husband she could have just waited
until David killed him.
V 19-22. Husband was
mean even when not drunk. Wisdom - didn't tell him
when he was drunk. Courageous - "If you do right, and
let nothing terrify you, not giving way to hysterical
fears or letting anxieties unnerve you" (I Peter
3:6). Desire to
appease enemy quickly (Luke 14:32). Didn't look for
someone else to assume her duty. Motive was to protect
and defend family and servants, not to disobey.
(Husbands and wives had joint interest in their
worldly possessions when used for common good - not to
waste or spend recklessly.
Reckless use is to
defraud the family.) Sounds good even for today. Aim
was to prevent destruction from reaching family and
household, and destroying it.
V 23. Humble and
respectful approach to David - hasted off donkey
(respectful custom to high-rank people) and fell on
her face. Fearless - David could have killed her when
she approached.
V 24. Took guilt of
husband on herself. Husband and wife are one flesh.
Asked permission to speak.
V 25. Apologized for
husband - explains type of husband he is without being
bitter against him.
V 26. Reminded David
very gently of the curse of shedding innocent blood.
V 27-28. Allayed
David's resentment by wise and humble speech.
Endeavored to bring David out of his passionate rage
for revenge and reminded David of the cost of revenge.
V 29. Reminded David
of his anointing to be king, his safety in God, and
God's sure house for David as a reward for David's
fighting God's battles. You'll have no staggering
grief over getting revenge.
V 30-31. Reminds
David of God's long-term plan for David. Don't waste
life on a man like Nabal.
V 32. David blesses
God for sending Abigail.
V 33-35. He
recognizes her wisdom. He accepts her apology and
gifts.
V 36. Abigail
reports all to husband when he is over drunk spree.
V 37. He becomes
paralyzed - his heart died.
V 38. Ten days later
he is dead.
V 39. Hearing of
Nabal's death, David sends for Abigail to be his wife.
V 40 - 42. God's
reward to Abigail for her right attitudes and motives
before Him.
IMPORTANT
ATTITUDES AND MOTIVES WE LEARN FROM ABIGAIL
1. Understand God's
idea of the married state.
2. Consider
ourselves one with mate even if we do not agree with
them in al things.
3. Never let
rejection, bitterness or rebellion come into you
because of your circumstances.
4. Recognize mate's
weaknesses; part of being a help mate. Defend the home
and marriage from all enemies.
5. Let wisdom guide
your actions.
6. Always be prayed
up and ready because of the weakened condition of the
family unit due to unsaved mate.
7. Don't look for
some way out or someone else for your joy. Be humble,
respectful and full of forgiveness.
8. Always give best
to God.
9. Serve the husband
and family out of obedience to God's commandments.
10. Walk humbly with
your God and before mankind.