1 Samuel 25 -- God Prevents David From Making A Rash Mistake

Samuel died and David relocated his 600 men farther away from Saul.  They had protected shepherds and sheep belonging to a very wealthy man named Nabal, and when shearing season arrived, David sent messengers to humbly ask Nabal for food supplies for his men.  "Any man with 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats could easily spare a few animals to feed 600 men who had risked their own lives to guard part of his wealth," my commentary said.  But Nabal wouldn't hear of it.

"David could forgive Saul, who wanted to kill him, but he couldn't forgive Nabal, who only refused to feed him and his men ... David's anger got the best of him; he didn't stop to consult the Lord; and he rushed out to satisfy his passion for revenge.  Had David succeeded, he would have committed a terrible sin and done great damage to his character and his career, but the Lord mercifully stopped him," my commentary noted.

Nabal's wife, Abilgail, was told of her husband's rash words and hurried to meet David as he and his men rode to Nabal's property.  She wisely gave them food and drink and took the blame for not knowing David was in the area.  This stopped David from making the mistake of killing Nabal, and when she returned and told her husband about the events, God caused him to have a stroke and he died ten days later.  Upon hearing the news, David asked Abigail to marry him, which she readily did.  All of Nabal's land and livestock became David's!

Father, help me to remember to consult You, as You did yesterday, when I am tempted toward rash actions.  Remind me that I represent You as Your child and that my actions can either point people toward You or turn them away from You.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford