1 Samuel 25
by Pastor David Groendyk

This chapter seems like it might be a bizarre interlude between episodes of David running away from Saul, but it actually teaches us something very important about David. Apparently, the future king has a good history with this man Nabal (or at least his employees), and now he’s looking for a little bit of relief for him and his men. But just the man’s name should be evidence of what’s going to happen here. ‘Nabal’ means ‘fool’, and to be called a fool in Scripture is more than just being called silly or air-headed. The fool is someone who refuses to fear the Lord. And how does this fool respond to David’s request? Not just by refusing but by belittling and showing contempt. Nabal is a man who loves the glory of food and riches and feasts and living it up, and he’s not going to give that up to feed a few hundred men. The way Nabal treats David reminds me of Acts 5:33–39 when Gamaliel speaks at the trial of Peter and the apostles. Gamaliel cautions the court that other men had come along before and led movements, yet they died and their following fizzled out. If this Jesus were leading a man-made movement, he would certainly go the same way. Likewise, Nabal scoffs at David and treats him like just another Theudas or Judas in comparison to Jesus.

Does David overreact by vowing to take Nabal’s life? In many ways, this chapter seems to say that Nabal’s rejection of David is far more serious than merely not extending a dinner invitation. He’s despising and mocking the God-appointed king. Surely, based on what Abigail says throughout this chapter, Nabal must know something about David’s status and blessing. At the same time, however, David is relieved that Abigail has stopped him from carrying out his plan. Bloodguilt would have been upon David if he had killed Nabal. What both Abigail and David say is that Abigail has prevented David from “working salvation with my own hand” (v. 33). And that phrase is key. Yes, David was horribly despised by Nabal, but it was not his place to take vengeance into his own hands. That’s something Saul would do, isn’t it? Isn’t it interesting that David doesn’t even have a whiff of the temptation to get revenge on Saul in chapters 24 or 26, but then in chapter 25 he nearly slaughters the entire household of the fool Nabal? Paradoxically, it can sometimes be oh-so-easy to remain upright and full of integrity in the big moments or when everybody is watching, but the very same sin and temptation might easily overtake you when you’re not careful in the smaller moments. David is being tested and trained to remain faithful and above reproach at all times and proving himself to be truly a king not like Saul (1 Sam. 24:17; 26:25).

Abigail is a great heroine in this story. She functions a lot like Abraham as he negotiates and pleads with God to spare the city in which his nephew Lot was living. She is also much quicker with the level-headed wisdom and mercy than David (which is no small feat!), not to mention she is fully bought into the notion of the Lord blessing David and his kingship. Ultimately, it’s Abigail’s godly wisdom that causes David to break his rash vow, keeps him free from bloodguiltiness, and spares Nabal’s life (at least temporarily). But God does eventually avenge his chosen one, and Nabal dies a mere ten days after the incident with David concludes. Another instance and another reminder that the Lord is the avenger and that God’s people should never take revenge into their own hands. In this way, we imitate our Savior himself as he freely gave himself up as he marched to the cross to save us, all the while entrusting himself to his Father.