The Unrepentant / Stubborn Heart 1 Samuel 25:36-44 [36] When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until daybreak. [37] Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone. [38] About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died. [39] When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabals wrongdoing down on his own head. Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. [40] His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife. [41] She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, Here is your maidservant, ready to serve you and wash the feet of my masters servants. [42] Abigail quickly got on a donkey and, attended by her five maids, went with Davids messengers and became his wife. [43] David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel, and they both were his wives. [44] But Saul had given his daughter Michal, Davids wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was from Gallim. When Abigail returned from her peace mission, a huge drunken party was going on at her house. Nabal was oblivious to the disaster that had just been averted. In hard hearted stinginess, Nabal had turned away the request of the anointed king, David. Such an insult actually justified vengeance in the ancient world. Rather than offer hospitality to the anointed king, Nabal chose to party with his worldly friends. What an image. What a choice. Meanwhile David and his 400 men nearly swept into the house with a destructive hand. They would have killed many of the men of the village who were attending the drunken party. The only thing that saved them was the offering made by Abigail which created reconciliation that saved the village. Now she had to deal with the aftermath at home. Clearly, it was not the right time to tell Nabal what she had done so Abigail waited until he was sober up the next morning. This would have been the opportunity for Nabal to finally get his life right but he did not. Instead, something caused him to have a heart attack that severely disabled him. He was like stone for ten days before he finally died. We dont know exactly the source of his reaction or the affliction that followed whether it was his anger at Abigail or fear because of the narrow escapebut the outcome was death. Proverbs 14:12 says it clearly There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Nabal was so sure of himself and his prideful arrogance that he ended up dead. There is a point at which folly leads to death. Bad character and bad choices will lead to a terrible end. The foolish and selfish lifestyle of Nabal became the marker of his name. While he could have enjoyed life with the blessing of God and a beautiful and intelligent wife, Nabals foolishness led him to a cold grave. Abigails good judgment was vindicated. David saw in this turn of events a sign from God. Because he was obviously struck by the beauty and character of Abigail, he proposed marriage to her and she gladly accepted. In the meantime, Saul had spitefully given Davids first wife, his daughter Michal, to another man in marriage. Saul was still a problem that would have to be resolved. What do we find here for daily living? We certainly dont want to be living as a stubborn fool. There is also a reassurance that those who live with a stubborn fool and seek to love redemptively will be vindicated. Father God, help me to see the stubbornness in my own life. Help me to be aware of any hardness of heart that I am allowing to develop. Help me to be open to the anointing of the Lord when it is near. Help me to make choices that honor You and bless those closest to me. Teach me to love like You love. Teach me to love redemptively. In Jesus Name.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 12:43:26 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015