Think twice

"the Lord has held you back"

1 Samuel 25

Has God ever intervened when you were on your way to do something stupid?  If you're not sure, the answer is yes; you just didn't realize it at the time.  This chapter of 1 Samuel has God doing just that:  stopping David from doing something stupid.  But David was wise enough to realize it. 

While on the run from King Saul, David and his men took it upon themselves to guard the sheep and workers of a very wealthy man named Nabal, during the time of the shearing.  Afterwards, because they had served Nabal in this way, they asked if they might have some provisions from him; "whatever comes to your hand."  Which sounds to me like they'd be appreciative of any contribution, no matter the size.  

But Nabal, a harsh and wicked man, said no.  Worse than that, he mocked David, the man chosen by God to be the next king.  Treated him as a no more than a runaway servant, as if he had no idea who David was.

And so David prepared for his revenge.  He and his men grabbed their weapons, and headed off to the home of Nabal.

But in the meantime, Nabal's servants were taking action, as well.  They knew it was wrong of Nabal to refuse hospitality to anyone, much less someone who had done Nabal a favor.  So they did the wise thing.  They ran to Nabal's wife, Abigail.

The truth is, Nabal had to know who David was.  Nabal was wealthy, and an important man in the community.  He would have been knowledgeable about the affairs of the region.  And what's more, it's obvious that Abigail knew all about David!

She hurriedly packed generous provisions for David and his men, and ran to intercept them on their mission of revenge.  When she met up with them, she humbly apologized for her husband {whose name, not coincidentally, means "fool"} and reminded David of what he already knew ~ that God would deal with Nabal, and that vengeance was not David's to claim.

Scripture tells us that Abigail was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance.  She was subservient, discerning, decisive and efficient. 

Nabal was a fool.

And the two different personalities of these two very different people brought out the two sides of David ~ the fleshly side and the Godly side.

David had protected Nabal's men and his sheep because it was the right thing to do.  It was common courtesy, and more than that, it was Scriptural.  And so David's response to Nabal's refusal, was anger, and a desire for revenge.

But God stopped him ~ through Abigail.  By hurrying to placate David with humble words and the gift of provisions, Abigail hoped to protect her husband from his own stupidity.  But she protected David from his, too.   She reminded him of his history, and his destiny, and that God would decide Nabal's fate.

And David was grateful.  "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel who sent you this day to meet me!  And blessed is your advice, and blessed are you."  Because the quality that makes David the man after God's own heart is not his faultlessness, but his willingness to repent.

Does that describe you?  How willing are you to see, when God shows you what you're doing wrong?   More importantly, how willing are you to change your ways; to alter your path?  It's not easy. 

Sometimes He sends an obstacle to make us more determined, to strengthen us.  But other times it's a warning.   Listen, and heed. 

~ "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  

Therefore, be zealous and repent." ~

Revelation 3:19