13 If a man PAYS BACK EVIL FOR GOOD
evil will never leave his house. Proverbs 17
First Samuel 25 begins, ‘Now Samuel died and all Israel mourned’, it was the end of an era. God’s prophet left the scene of time and everything changed. We too are living in a time of great change, with more to come.
The text immediately changes, ‘Then DAVID moved down to the Desert of Maon’. God had a new man on the scene who would eventually lead Israel and He becomes the focus of what God is doing. I believe that God is already bringing new people, and new leaders, onto the scene in our day.
We’re told of a rich man, Nabal and his beautiful wife Abigail. It was the time of shearing and David sent ten young men to greet Nabal during this time of festivities.
7 ‘“Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not ill-treat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. 8 Ask your own servants and they will tell you. THEREFORE BE FAVOURABLE towards my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.”’ 1 Samuel 25
David asked Nabal to remember the blessing that he and his men had shown to Nabal’s shepherds while they were near to them in the desert, but Nabal treated them with contempt. (1 Samuel 25:39) It’s one thing to refuse to acknowledge someone who’s been good to you, but to abuse those who’ve treated us well is much more serious. We can literally bring judgement upon our whole household.
10 Nabal answered David’s servants, ‘Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?’ 1 Samuel 25
Nabal insulted David and his family to the young men and refused to give them anything, though he’d been blessed with great wealth. The Bible introduced him as being, ‘surly and mean in his dealings’. 1 Samuel 25:3 This wealthy man had probably been rude and dishonouring to many people throughout his life, but this time he touched the character of God’s chosen leader.
Also, Nabal was head of his household and his angry words put his whole family in great danger.
21 David had just said, ‘It’s been useless – all my watching over this fellow’s property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. 22 May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!’
David was incensed by what he’d been told by his men and was on his way to bring swift retribution on Nabal and his house, BUT GOD! God stopped him shedding blood by Abigail going to meet him and pleading for mercy. A LOVELY PICTURE OF A TRUE INTERCESSOR, STANDING IN THE GAP FOR SOMEONE WHO IS GUILTY.
24 Kneeling at his feet she said, “My lord, let the blame and guilt be on me alone. And please let your maidservant speak to you, and listen to the words of your maidservant. AMP BIBLE
Abigail kept David from shedding blood and rescued her wider household, but Nabal forfeited his life. There was a limit to her intercession. It’s a dangerous thing to give way to anger and curse others who’ve done us only good.
God bless and keep you today.