Being Delivered and Delivering Others

2 A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. 3 His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite. 4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. 5 So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. 6 Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours! 7 “ ‘Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat 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 favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.’ ” 9 When David’s men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name. Then they waited. 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?” 12 David’s men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word. 13 David said to his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did, and David strapped his on as well. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

David is hiding from Saul. Despite having spared the man’s Life Saul has never been one to just let things go. David still has to stay in hiding.

While in hiding he goes to ask for food from Nabal. His name means vial thing or fool. He is a very wealthy man with three thousand sheep.

Its sheep shearing time. This would be a festive occasion.

David seeks a favor from Nabal. David observes that his men did not mistreat Nabal’s shepherds or steal anything from them. Even though they had opportunity.

One of the servants would later confirm to Abigail the claims of David and would express his gratitude for the protection provided by David’s men.

It seems that David had cared for Nabal’s shepherds for an extended time. David request that Nabal should be favorable in this time of celebration. David just want’ some supplies: Food, Nothing special just whatever is on hand.

This wealthy man who is so caught up in himself he doesn’t know who David is. Though he defeated Goliath. Though he is on Saul’s most wanted list. Though he has been anointed king. Though he is the talk of the kingdom. And songs have been sung about him.

This man doesn’t know who he is, And he turns down his request.

David feels like his rights have been harmed. He has been dishonored. He has been wronged. David felt like he was entitled to this supplies.

Yes Nabal is egotistical. Refusing to give bread and water.

1 Samuel 25:11 Tanakh

11 Should I then take my bread and my water, and the meat that I slaughtered for my own shearers, and give them to men who come from I don’t know where?”

I and My eight times in this verse

I take

I slaughtered

I give

I know

My bread

My water

My meat

My shearers

But has David been wronged?

Not really, It was a favor he was asking for. The protection that they gave the shepherds was nothing that was set in writing. You will give us this.

Nabal was a Jerk, But that doesn’t mean that David was wronged. His pride was hurt. Nabal went against the Lords commands to take care of the anointed of God. See to those in need which David clearly was if Bread and water is what there wanting.

But David overreacts, He sets out to kill Nabal.

This from the man who refuses to kill Saul. His enemy that he has been wrong by. Why not kill Saul because revenge is Gods.

Why kill Nabal because Revenge is David’s. Oops.

David has just won this huge victory of faith In not killing Saul. This victory is saying I will let God take care of this situation.

But after his great victory. David becomes thrown off guard and he fails in his faith.

He is at his lowest point after his great victory

And Abigail the wife of Nabal who eventually marries David after Nabal,s Death not killed by David. Abigail Stops him. Nabal might have died of natural cause or did he drink himself to death options are up in the air.

Abigail comes to the rescue.

She will deliver David from this sin. She keeps him from going over board. She brings food and water, And does what Nabal didn’t . But she talks to David and calms him down and gets him to see the error in his decision.

Victory can turn into defeat

Often happens greatest victories followed by greatest struggles. This is a common theme in the scriptures, for example Elijah after the calling down fire from heaven.

Listen and Speak

In this passage we see two things happening

David has to listen to Abigail. That’s hard to do. We have trouble listening.

Abigail has to get up and go. Abigail had to go, Leave comfort spend the Time and effort.

We need people around us to help us from falling. But we have to be willing to listen, And we have to be willing to Go. And be God’s deliverer to Someone else.

Both of those are a struggle

To listen

and to go when you may be the instrument in which God uses to deliver someone else from shame.

We say I can’t help someone else because I don’t have it all together.

We say I don’t want to hear that you are full of it.

We say I always try to correct someone else because I know better than everyone else.

There must be a balance in life. We rely on other and we help other. There must be a balance. We can’t be always sucking life out of others. we can’t always be try to help others. When we always trying to fix others its usually because we can’t control our own life.

Next Steps

What stops you from listening

Pride

Anger

Fear

Like being in control

What stops you from Going

Pride

Anger

Fear

Comfort

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