Fridays with David

Read 1 Samuel 25:21-26 – Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light.” Now when Abigail saw David, she dismounted quickly from the donkey, fell on her face before David, and bowed down to the ground. So she fell at his feet and said: “On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be! And please let your maidservant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your maidservant. Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal. For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him! But I, your maidservant, did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent. Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, since the Lord has held you back from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now then, let your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be as Nabal. …” (NKJV)

Nabal’s failure to offer hospitality to David’s men brings wrath and a thirst for vengeance from the future king. The moment underscores both the priority of hospitality in the culture and David’s own expectation of being treated like the king he has not yet become. Abigail’s quick, husband-defying action prevents bloodshed, but one easily sees how quickly the proud and hateful attitude of Saul has already found expression in David’s heart too. Just a chapter ago, David is acting with undeserved generosity toward Saul. Now he’s ready to slaughter an entire family for their father’s failure to appreciate David’s kindness. For the moment, the future king has become a tyrant, and only Abigail’s high-risk action keeps him from acts worthy of judgment. What’s the point? We must all diligently guard our hearts against the poor judgment that anger can bring. Hasty decisions made in angry moments are some of life’s most costly.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.