Sunday Morning Podcast May 19, 2019. Bro. Alejandro Reyes.
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 25:30-35
30 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;
31 That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.
32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:
33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
35 So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.
Here is the story regarding Abigail, a beautiful woman, with good understanding, the wife of Nabal,who was a churlish and rich man with a character of evil doings. It can seem a puzzle how one so kind as her, came to be connected to one as her husband was. Perhaps, his unbecoming character was becoming what it had not been, at the beginning of their relationship.
“Blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand”. (verse 33). David was greatly appreciative of Abigail’s reasoning and advice. We can witness how earlier in the chapter, (1 Samuel 25: 2- 12), David had valid reasons to, and was planning to act with cause against Abigail’s husband, Nabal, and his company for his great arrogant evil attitude against those (David and company) who had protected and been kind to Nabal’s men and their need of protection. Nabal having received the report of David’s helpful attention to Nabal’s men, was then being requested of David (through David’s men) to help with some needed nourishment, etc, since David had only shown kindness with much support. But Nabal’s heart was not like-minded as David’s had been, and so Nabal scorned David, and David’s needs of support to be shared. This narrative illustrates the lesson, that we should be careful to let God always offer, to our emotions, a better alternative when someone evilly provokes us. God sent Abigail to prevent David from acting out in violence, even though it would seem justified, but against God’s will, and that would have deeply wounded hearts with such great loss of lives. It is here that it is illustrated that God was able to use Abigail’s honorable heart and life, to help understand this lesson. This story which has been often repeated, so sad and lamentable, …does it seem of one only found in the world? No sometimes it is also found in the church. Understandable to be found in the world, but not thought of so much in the church. Sometimes in homes, there is demonstrated a spirit of violence and humiliation that women have to deal with. So the illustration of Nabal, is not just of one man, but of a symbolic condition. Both women and men fall prey to this.
Abigail represents the heart of so many young women. They have dreams, but wake up to the revelation their spouse is a “monster.” Very painful discovery that their “good man” is then instead abusive. More than just physical, but often damaging with attitudes, emotional threats, traumatizing women with fear. Moms often need to then warn their children to go to their rooms because of violent stress. Perhaps here around us are many “Nabal’s.” Perhaps you might not see them, but they do exist. Examine yourself to see if there is in existence, (in both women and men), a hidden Nabal in your heart. It will only be when you do this, that you can prayerfully find after, in yourself, an “Abigail” heart. The Lord can help you to discover in your heart a beginning of a “Nabal condition.” A condition that demonstrates one of indifference, and hardened attitudes. “Search me O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139: 23, 24
Do you know someone that is arrogant, cruel, wise in their-selves? Those that do not recognize their condition? Ask God to help you not to allow this sinful condition to cause you to end up like “Nabal.” Thankfully there are also those that would be grateful for those with an “Abigail heart.” A heart that would bring a deliverance. An “Abigail” that bears well the cruelty, and does not run away for the good of those who need her example of bringing deliverance. Her example “stayed” to give others a chance to change from one of cruelty and sin.
Thank You Abigail, for Long-suffering, Mercy, and Wisdom.