In this chapter, we read about how a crisis was created because of two men behaving badly; but how that same crisis was averted because of one woman who behaved wisely. Let’s read about it.
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1. Two men behaving badly - David & Nabal.
A. Nabal’s reaction of arrogance - vs. 10-11
David sends men to Nabal with a request. He had learned that Nabal was sheering sheep. When that was done, there would be a celebration for the workers, to which would be invited the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:10-13). Since David and his men were “foreigners,” for David to make this request was in keeping with the law of Moses and the traditions of Israel.
But also, David’s men had contributed to Nabal’s wealth (vs. 7-8; 16; 21). In fact, Nabal’s servants said that David’s men were “a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them.”
The request David made was appropriate according to the law, according to tradition, and according to what was reasonable to expect in return for the security David’s men had provided to Nabal’s servants. But Nabal’s reaction was anything but reasonable.
Nabal’s response to David’s request is rooted in arrogance (vs. 10-11). Nabal thought himself better than David by virtue of his . . .
1) Pedigree - v. 10a We are told that Nabal was a Calebite (v. 3). A direct descendant of Caleb, who along with Joshua, spied out the promised land and eventually led the people of Israel into the land. But Caleb was sent to spy out the land as a representative of the tribe of Judah, and David was of the tribe of Judah, which ironically, made David a distant cousin of Nabal.
2) Position - v. 10b Nabal speaks of David as a “servant of Saul,” who is “breaking away from his master.” Nabal speaks only of David as a servant who has fled from his master, as though he were a mere runaway slave.
3) Possessions - v. 11 Nabal was apparently aware of the kid of folks who had flocked to David, as described in 1 Samuel 22:2 - “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented.”
What is at the root of such attitudes of arrogance as those displayed by Nabal? Improper perspective. Nabal lacked God’s perspective on things. If he’d had God’s perspective, he would have realized the truth: 1) that David and he had the same pedigree - both were sinners; 2) that David and he shared the same position - both were nothing; and 3) that both David and he possessed nothing apart from God’s grace.
All this points to the fact that Nabal did not have a right relationship with God. If he had, then, like his wife, he would have recognized God had a plan for David and had made promises about David that would soon come to pass. Nabal just saw things from a human point of view. God was not factored into the equation at all. This led to his attitude of arrogance. Instead of recognizing David as Israel’s future king, Nabal arrogantly set himself up as being like a king (v. 36).
When one lacks God’s perspective, he will see himself in ways that are inaccurate. Instead of measuring self in light of God’s truth, he will measure himself in light of other things.
“It is often supposed that when people stop believing in God, they believe in nothing. Alas, it is worse than that. When they stop believing in God, they believe in anything.” - G.K. Chesterton
Without God the only standard left is what appeals to you. And that’s a shifting standard. It all depends on what I want, like, or accept - what pleases me. Our standards of truth are warped because our perspective of things is impure. Without God’s true perspective on things I’ll believe anything, and eventually that leads me to destruction. Sadly, many today who reject God’s standards of truth are living a life of arrogant self-indulgence and self-reliance. And like Nabal, they are oblivious to the danger living in such a way has placed them in.
Oblivious to the stupidity of his actions, and how close he has come to death, Nabal feasts like a king in his house. He is drunk. The next day, Nabal awakens with a clearer head and Abigail informs him of all that happened. The color drains from his face as he begins to recognize his folly. Our text says “his heart failed him, so that he became as a stone.” He had a heart attack. Ten days later, he dies.
One has a choice when it comes to living according to what God says. We can either choose to humble ourselves in light of God’s truth; or we can choose to ignore God’s truth and one day be humbled. Nabal chose the latter; but David made a different choice when confronted with the truth about himself.
B. David’s reaction of anger - vs. 12-13; 21-22
This chapter begins by telling us about the death of Samuel. David had participated in mourning for Samuel at Ramah, then went to the Desert of Maon. This sets the stage for what happened between he and Nabal.
The death of Samuel, no doubt, reminded David that though he had been anointed king of Israel, he was not yet king. David was forced to take the “long view” of things when it came becoming king. But such should not be the case, he reasoned, when it came to being rewarded for watching over Nabal’s servants.
David’s problem was the same as Nabal’s. David did not have a right relationship with God. He could trust God and take the long view of things when it came to the kingdom; but he would not trust God and take the long view of things when it came to a party. So, he became angry. What is at the root of his anger? Improper expectation.
David’s expectation was warped because self, not God, was in control. When self is in control, the logic that one operates by is, “I want what I want, when I want it, and I want it now! And if I don’t get what I want, I’m justified in making what I want to happen, happen!”
There’s only one person who has the right to have the attitude we just described, and it’s not David, and it’s not you or me; it’s God. But sometimes, we put ourselves in God’s place, which is what David did. Rather than God being at the center of David’s life, with self in orbit around God, self was at the center and everything, including God, was expected to be in orbit around David!
Thankfully, unlike Nabal, who was a fool, because he would not listen (v. 17b), David received and responded to correction (vs. 32-35). Nabal and David serve as a great illustration of what Jesus said.
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” - Luke 14:11 (NIV)
David got back on track, all because of . . .
2. A woman behaving wisely - Abigail.
Rather than reacting to the situation like Nabal or David, Abigail responded. As believers, we can choose to live our lives reacting by feeling or responding by faith. Nabal and David reacted with feelings of arrogance and anger. Abigail, on the other hand responded with a faith that was informed by God’s truth. Consequently . . .
A. She acted according to a proper expectation. Abigail knew better than to expect any reasonable response to correction from Nabal, so she didn’t even bother to approach him. But she knew that it was reasonable to expect that David would respond appropriately to correction from the Lord (vs. 23-27).
B. She acted according to a proper perspective. Abigail’s heart was right with God. Consequently, she knew that David was destined for greater things (vs. 28-31). In light of that perspective, she successfully persuaded David that he was made for bigger things than exacting vengeance on a fool who had acted as fools do - foolishly. Just because Nabal had played the fool didn’t mean David had to do the same.
Many point to Abigail as a picture of Christ and salvation provided through Him. Due to the folly of Nabal, the entire household is in danger. Unless she does something, they will be killed by David. She steps forward, taking the guilt of all the condemned on herself, offering herself in their place (v. 24). Is this not a picture of our Lord? Due to Adam’s sin and our own, we have are condemned to death. The day of our doom hastens, but Jesus (who was completely without fault) stepped forward, taking our guilt upon Himself. He offered Himself in our place on the cross.
Conclusion: Each person in this story illustrates the value of God’s truth in our lives.
1. Nabal illustrates the fact that responding to God’s truth is the key to conversion. Until I am willing to admit I am a sinner, I will not see the need for a Savior.
2. David illustrates the fact that responding to God’s truth is the key to correction. If I, as a child of God, am going to be delivered from the deception of self, I must respond positively to God’s truth.
3. Abigail illustrates the fact that responding to God’s truth is to key the Christ-like character.
How do you need to apply God’s truth to your life today?
