Let God take care of your Nabal's

1 Samuel 25:32-43

Yesterday, we left the story of Abigail being used by God to keep David from avenging an insult from her husband, Nabal.  Now let us continue the story in verses 32-36, “And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! For as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male.” Then David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have obeyed your voice, and I have granted your petition.”

A man who does not understand God’s ways would have ignored Abigail, her small token of food and meat would not come close to what was waiting for David and his men if they killed Nabal and his family.  But David understood something many of us miss, it is not the hours or the skill we have that provides wealth it is God.  David understood Abigail was God’s messenger and he granted her appeal. 

Now the story gets interesting, David returns to his people, and Abigail returns home to find a drunk Nabal who has had a party fit for a king.  This foolish man did not know the danger he and his men were in, until the next day when he was recovering from his hangover.  When Abigail told Nabal about what she had done and how close he had come to being killed, he had a stroke.  And for ten days he was in a coma and then he died.

Now if you like a happy ending read the rest of the story, but remember their customs were very different from ours.  “When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise the Lord who championed my cause against Nabal’s insults and restrained His servant from doing evil. The Lord brought Nabal’s evil deeds back on his own head.”
Then David sent messengers to speak to Abigail about marrying him. When David’s servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, “David sent us to bring you to him as a wife.”
She stood up, then bowed her face to the ground and said, “Here I am, your servant, to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” Then Abigail got up quickly, and with her five female servants accompanying her, rode on the donkey following David’s messengers. And so she became his wife.
David also married Ahinoam of Jezreel, and the two of them became his wives. But Saul gave his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti, son of Laish, who was from Gallim.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Lady Saves the Day

September 13, 2017

 1 Samuel 25:14-35

Yesterday, we left off where David and four hundred armed men are going to Nabal’s camp to kill him and all his people.  But God, I’m so thankful that God put in the heart of a young man in Nabal’s camp to go and share with Abigail what took place when David’s ten men arrived at Nabal’s camp.  One of the young men under Nabal realized the foolishness of Nabal’s actions and reported it to Abigail. 

Verse 17 gives a lot of information about the kind of man Nabal was and the shallow opinions his servants had of him.  Verse 17, “Now, therefore, know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.”  One might read between the lines and know that this was not the first time this servant had come to Abigail to bail out her husband from harm.

Shall we look at this very wise and beautiful lady and see the actions she took to save her family and household.  Picking up the story in verses 18-31: “Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. And she said to her young men, “Go on before me; behold, I come after you.” But she did not tell her husband, Nabal. And as she rode on the donkey and came down under cover of the mountain, behold, David and his men came down toward her, and she met them. Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good. God do so to the enemies of David and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him.”

When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant. Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent. Now then, my lord, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, because the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be as Nabal. And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord. Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live. If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God. And the lives of your enemies he shall sling out as from the hollow of a sling. And when the Lord has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you and has appointed you prince over Israel, my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself. And when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.”

Now it is necessary for us to understand this, Abigail treated David as superior and humbled herself before him.  She called her husband a worthless man yet she interceded with David to save his life.  She also suggested she was the LORD’s agent in keeping David from needless bloodshed.  She took responsibility for Nabal’s sin against David and his men and talked about David’s future as a lasting dynasty.  And it seems strange that Abigail would tell David to remember her in that she was a married woman, but time proves she was correct.  Tomorrow we will explore David’s response to Abigail.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Compares David to a runaway slave

1 Samuel 25:1-13

Being a descendant of someone does not mean you will have his or her integrity or wisdom, for Nabal was a descendant of Caleb who was a friend of Joshua.  Today we are going to examine a wealthy man named Nabal, for Scripture tells us the following; “And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel. Now the name of the man was Nabal and the name of his wife, Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite.”

Nabal’s home was in Maon about a mile from his workplace in Carmel, and David and his men were also in Carmel and David had given orders to not only protect the young men who watched over Nabal’s sheep but to also protect the sheep. 

So it was the time of shearing the sheep, and that is a festive occasion because the wool had great value.  So David sent ten of his young men to remind Nabal of how they had protected both sheep and shepherds and ask for a small part of his profits. 

Now at that time, it seems clear that Nabal and all of Judah and Israel were aware of David and the family he came from, and this is the way Nabal responded to the men David had sent to him.  In verses 10-12, “And Nabal answered David's servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” So David's young men turned away and came back and told him all this.”

What Nabal has done at this point is compare David to a runaway slave, and assume David has his hands full trying to keep King Saul from taking his life.  Nabal, like many today that are arrogant and insulting to the people of God, is going to find he made a big mistake.

David is not happy with the response of Nabal, and this is the account in verses 12-13, “And David said to his men, “Every man strap on his sword!” And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage.”

How do you believe Nabal and his shepherds are going to fare against David’s four hundred armed soldiers?  Tomorrow we will explore the outcome, and see a “But God” moment.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Mercy, honor and fear of the LORD

1 Samuel 24

The twenty-fourth chapter is about mercy, honor and fear of the LORD, for God had delivered King Saul into David’s hands.  It is all taking place in a cave near Wildgoats Rock, and Saul needed to relieve himself.  This is a special God moment for David and his men who are hiding in the innermost part of the cave while Saul is taking care of business.  Scripture gives this account; “And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. And afterward, David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.”

Have you ever wondered what class and honor look like?  Then read verses 8-15, “Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.’ See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. May, the Lord judge between you and me, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! May the Lord, therefore, be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”

Now there are other messages we can take from these verses, but none more significant than trust, David trusted the Lord to protect him, Saul is outside of the cave with three thousand of the best fighting men in all of Israel.  And once David has exposed his hiding place he and his 400 to 600 men are as good as dead, “But God.” 

What does a King whose life has been spared do; we find the answer in verses 16-22?  “As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day? And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house.” And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.”

What an amazing lesson for you and me, it teaches us to fear the Lord, trusting in His grace and being grace givers, and allowing the Lord to fight our battles!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Define the word friend

September 5, 2017

1 Samuel 23:15-29

If I were I to try to define the word friend, and needed an example to make clear what friendship is, I would use Jonathan.  If someone asked me to give an example of loyalty, I would use the case of Jonathan.  First, to enter into a friendship one must have a relationship to be a friend one forms a bond, many a person believes they have friends when all they have is acquaintances.  David and Jonathan had a bond; they loved each other and wanted the best for the other.  Shall we explore the word loyalty, a trust between two or more persons, they are faithful to each other, and can rely on one another at all times?

This is what King Saul’s son Jonathan had with David, they had a relationship built on trust and love for one another.  Some of you may have had experience with the IRS coming after your resources, that’s not a good place to find yourself, but it is a walk in the park compared to the King with all his resources wanting your life.

Let’s pick up the account in 1 Samuel 23:15-18, “David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.”  Do you understand that Jonathan is putting his life at risk to come to David, that is what a friend will do?  How many face book friends are going to put their life at risk for you, try learning the meaning of the word “zero.”  Jonathan is teaching us the truth; friendship is not just a word it is always an action.  He is willing to give up his right to be King so that David may take his place.

The Ziphites are an example of betrayal, David and his men were living among them, and they went to Saul and told him where David was.  You might find Psalm 54 of interest, it is David’s crying out to the Lord for protection against his enemies.

Now as Saul came down to Ziphites, David and his men had moved to the wilderness of Maon and David was told that the King and his army were closing in on him.  David went to one side of the mountain and Saul to the other side and word came to Saul that the Philistines had made a raid on the land.  That my dear reader is a “But God” moment, for God has already said David will be the King of Israel and Judah.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Should I or should I not?

 1 Samuel 23:1-14

Should I or should I not, that a question that confronts all of us, but do we ask the question of the one that will always give us the right answer?  David had learned to seek the counsel of the LORD; men will give you their feelings, or opinions but God who all knowing will guide you in truth.  So shall we look at the question David is asking of the LORD in verses two verses of chapter 23?  “Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”

So it a done deal for David or is it, no asking the question is step one, listening for the answer is step two, but then often the problem comes when those under the leader says no way am I going to do that.  It necessary to understand David not king over these people, but he is greatly respected by them.  So maybe some of the people with influence ask David to go back and make sure that what God is saying for they were fearful.

This we do know David ask the question of the LORD a second time, and this was the answer found in verse four and five. “Then David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.”   

Would it be wonderful if we learn something from the Scripture, no head knowledge, but application?   And doing what David is doing would serve each of us; it would be a life changer.

When you have engaged the enemy of your nation and won a major battle it hard to keep that information from the press, and it got back to King Saul he saw an opportunity to once and for all kill David and that ragtag group that was hanging out with him.  You see Keilar was a walled city with gates and one the King and his men surrounded the city David would be trapped in side.  Now Saul had no moral compass if he had to kill all the people of Keilar to kill David, so be it.

When David heard about the King’s plan he asks the Lord, the following; “Then David said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition. And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.” (1 Samuel 23:10-14)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Doeg of our life

1 Samuel 22:9-23

Most David’s, have a Doeg the Edomite showing up in their lives at just the wrong time.  At the time he saw David with the priest of Nob, I am sure he had no ill thoughts to either man.  But when the opportunity came for him to use that information to advance his role with the King, all changed, he is now the enemy of both men.  If you have not had a Doeg in your life yet, just wait the evil one has one waiting for you.

As recorded in Scripture, old Doeg added a little to what happened, it is not recorded that David asked for Ahimelech to inquire of the Lord for him, nor that he did so.  He did give David the bread he asked for and the sword of Goliath.  He became a tool of the evil one at the moment he made the priest look as if he was conspiring against the king.

Now it was just the changing of a few things, but to a Leader who is driven by fear and knows David is his replacement he is not willing to listen to anyone, not even the priest.  So Saul requires not only Ahimelech to come to him but all of his father’s family.  You need to put this in your mind that a leader, boss, or King that is driven by fear is not going to listen, and this poor priest had no understanding of what he was encountering.

Listen to the exchange between the King and priest; “And Saul said, “Hear now, son of Ahitub.” And he answered, “Here I am, my lord.” And Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he has risen against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” Then Ahimelech answered the king, “And who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and captain over your bodyguard, and honored in your house? Is today the first time that I have inquired of God for him? No! Let not the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father, for your servant has known nothing of all this, much or little.”  Note: the priest does confess he prays for David often, but once more it is not recorded he did it that day.

So King Saul does what one expects of a fool, he orders his men to kill the priest and his father’s household.  Saul runs into a problem, his most trusted servants and soldiers will not kill men who they do not believe have done anything close to a death sentence.  But who steps up to the plate, you are right on, Doeg has no problem killing eighty-five priests and every living thing in Nob.  Only one escaped he was one of Ahimelech sons, and his name was Abiathar.

As David gets the report from Abiathar you get to see something scarce in leadership, he takes the blame for what has happened to the priest and Nob.  And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. “And David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father's house. Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me, you shall be in safekeeping.”

Why did David make such a promise to Abiathar, because God had already made a commitment to David on his Kingship over Israel and Judah?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice