1 Samuel 25:23-35
Verse 33 May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.
Abigail’s words to David stopped him in his tracks. He must have felt like he was hit across the face with a verbal 2X4. This beautiful, wise woman had just saved him from himself. Had she not come to call him out about his sinful intentions, he would have done something he would have regretted for the rest of his life.
Part of his problem may have been caused from hunger which had led to his sending men to Nabal in the first place. Abigail came to help with that but in his heart David knew that this thinking process that he had been acting under was a sin. What Nabal owned was his to decide what to do with and to kill him for it would have meant murder and stealing.
David acknowledged that it was God who sent Abigail and by saying that shows her character for following God’s lead. But her coming and making a speech to David would have meant nothing if he hadn’t listened and been convicted. It was David’s pride that had him seeking vengeance on Nabal but when faced with Abigail’s humility his pride was magnified in his own eyes. God had used humility to reveal his pride.
After accepting her wise words, David accepted the gifts that she had brought for him and his men. They were finally receiving the reward that they had earned by watching over the shepherds of Nabal. They may not have done it for payment but this payment was sweet and was made sweeter still by the knowledge they hadn’t done something they had no right to do.
The truth of the matter was David’s pride could have cost he and his men much. Abigail had already pointed out about David’s reputation taking a hit but what about his men? If they had joined in David’s vengeance, which was likely, they would have had Nabal and his men’s blood on their hands too. And while those would have been hard enough to come to grips with about themselves there was the very real possibility some of those men they would have killed, would have been the very friends they had made and one in particular who had sent Abigail. The shepherds they had guarded would likely have still been there since it was sheep shearing season. Pride usually sends us down a path we will regret later.
Making It Personal
Have you ever acted in pride and regretted it later? Has a friend ever pointed out pride in your life in a way you knew you needed to deal with it? Is there a place in your life where you deal more with pride?
Making It Personal Kids
How would you describe pride? Have you ever done something in pride? What is a better way to do something?
Closing Prayer
Father, we confess the many times we have allowed our pride to get in the way of our clear thinking. Please give us the wisdom and wise friends to remind us to be humble. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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