Dealing With “Nabals”
Devotions for Growing Christians
Dealing With “Nabals”
1 Samuel 25:32 - "David said to Abigail, 'Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.'"
Read the entire account in 1 Samuel 25.
Background
The events described in 1 Samuel 25 took place while David was hiding from King Saul. Saul was trying to eliminate David, because he presented a threat to his throne and his royal dynasty. David and his men were camping in the area where Nabal, a wealthy rancher, kept large flocks of sheep and goats. David’s 960 armed men were honest, and they naturally formed a protective shield against “rustlers” and thieves, so some of Nabal’s prosperity likely resulted from the presence of David’s men.
So on a festive sheep-shearing day, David sent messengers requesting some provision for his men in return for their protection of Nabal’s livestock and employees. Even though Nabal was a wealthy man who could easily have shared his bounty with God’s chosen king, he sent David’s men away empty-handed. Even worse, he rudely denounced David and his men!
When David heard this response he was enraged and planned immediate revenge. Fortunately, the good sense and godly character of Nabal’s wife, Abigail, were so well known to their servants that they hurried to her for help. Abigail quickly prepared a sizeable offering of food and supplies. Then she went personally to meet David with a message of peace, urging him not to take revenge.
Doctrinal/Teaching Points
1. God allows "Nabals" to test our faith and patience.
Earlier in his life, David passed a great test of patience and faith in God when he turned down the perfect opportunity to kill King Saul (1 Samuel 24). On that occasion he chose to trust God, and to wait patiently for God to deal with the self-centered and hostile king.
In 1 Samuel 25 David was again tested in the very same areas: faith and patience. This time, however, he failed the test - with near disastrous results. In that culture David was well within his rights to ask for hospitality and a small recompense, so we can understand why David was enraged when Nabal responded to the polite request in a selfish and malicious manner.
Unfortunately, David lost it. Instead of patiently trusting God to work things out in His own way and His own time, David told his men to grab their swords and follow him. And he rode off to kill Nabal and his men (v21-22).
What about us? God allows us to be tested, and He may use rude or selfish people like Nabal to test us. The test may come in our workplace, our neighborhood, our family, or even in our church or small group Bible studies. How do we handle situations in which we are treated unjustly? Do we become hostile and defensive? Do we “gird on our swords” and lash out with rash words? Or do we pass the test by patiently allowing the Lord to take care of the situation?
Peter gives us the Lord Himself as our example when our patience is tested by unjust treatment: “…Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly”). (1 Peter 2:21-23
2. The results of "passing the test" are patience and godly character.
James 1:3-4 says, “…when you face trials of many kinds… know that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Notice that the verse doesn’t say if you face trials - it says when you face trials! God will allow us to go through tests of our faith. Even though the trials will not be pleasant in themselves, it’s possible to have a positive outlook. Why? Because we know that the trials can produce maturity in our lives as believers.
Abigail’s exemplary character probably resulted from many tests of her patience and trust in God. She had been married to an insensitive man for years. It wouldn’t have been surprising if she had reacted to the news of David’s planned revenge with a smug smile, thinking, “He’ll finally get what he deserves!”
But Abigail had not adopted her husband’s crude behavior, nor had she become bitter. Abigail’s godly character was so well established that the servants knew she would act quickly to resolve the conflict. She reacted to a crisis situation in a mature way, trusting God to control the outcome.
Through Abigail, the Lord taught David a lesson he didn’t forget. In Psalm 37 David wrote, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Do not fret when men… carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath. Do not fret-it only leads to evil… A little while and the wicked will be no more... but the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.”
Practical Application
Let's allow God to use the "Nabals" in our lives to build godly character.
How we respond under pressure is demonstrates our character. It’s easy to be pleasant when everything is going well, but how do we react when we’re treated unfairly? There will always be a few “Nabals” around. Do we over-react, as David did - or do we respond patiently, knowing that God allows “Nabals” in our lives to build “Abigail” character in us?
When we’re confronted with a Nabal, let’s remember the example of the Lord Jesus in 1 Peter 2:23. Rather than reacting in haste, let’s take a deep breath and ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance about the situation. Let’s seek (and listen to) the counsel of “Abigails” God has placed in our lives. We can trust God to deal with the “Nabals” - even as dramatically as He later dealt with Nabal (v38).
The apostle Paul was often misjudged, criticized, and treated unjustly. In Romans 12 he gave us words of wisdom and guidance from the Lord: “Be patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer… Repay no one evil for evil... If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men… Do not avenge yourselves, but rather leave room for God’s wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Dave Reid