David – Who he is and Whose we are

We continue in the story of David, Nabal and Abigail found in 1 Samuel 25. As I had mentioned in my last post, we will be looking at this story and glean from each of the three people involved. We looked at Nabal in the previous post and this week we will look at David.

A brief overview of the story can be read here.

David’s approach to Nabal

1 Samuel 25: 4-8 “While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. So, he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours! 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. Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore, be favourable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.”

How would you describe David’s approach? David takes a gentle and humble approach towards Nabal. He does not threaten or use his skill as a warrior to intimidate, he does not use force and grab sheep which they could have used for meat. But instead, he first extends an act of kindness and helps Nabal. David seeks a compassionate response from Nabal, to receive from the abundance that he had. The request from David sounds very reasonable and the approach very humble.

David’s reaction to Nabal’s disrespect and rudeness

1 Samuel 25:12-13 “David’s men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word. 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 determined to wipe out all the men in Nabal’s household. Would you consider David’s reaction, right? David responds rashly, he does not hesitate to go forth and put an end to the men of Nabal’s household. He responds to insult with anger.

Self-Reflection: How might we respond when insulted, when treated unfairly or spoken rudely to?

Let’s look at what scripture teaches us about anger.

Proverbs 14:29 “Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.”

Ephesians 4:26a “If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin”

James 1:19-20 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Proverbs 19:11 “Insightful people restrain their anger; their glory is to ignore an offense.”

Scripture does not condemn feeling the emotion of anger, but it does not encourage us to allow that anger to take flight through our words or actions. Scripture cautions us to be slow to become angry, to exercise restraint rather than allowing it to control you.

In light of the what scripture teaches us, we understand that David’s reaction to Nabal was not a righteous one.

David’s reaction to Nabal vs Saul

Let’s contrast David’s response to Nabal versus with Saul. Just one chapter before this story, David comes into striking distance of Saul and spares his life. David says “May the Lord judge between you and me (Saul). And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.” (1 Samuel 24:12) 

After such a response to Saul, who was ardently trying to kill David, why does David react to Nabal so differently. We will take a quick look into the backdrop of David’s emotional state at this time.

At this stage of David’s life, he was anointed to be king, he was on the run from Saul, he was probably tired, hungry, stressed out from being on constant alert and if we look at the very first verse of this chapter, we learn that Samuel had just died. It was through Samuel that God placed his calling on David’s life. Samuel held a special place in David’s life. He probably was like a spiritual leader to David and a spiritual intermediary between David and Saul. And so, in addition to all that came from being on the run for his life and still waiting for the fulfillment of his calling to be king, David was grieving.

Considering all of this, does David’s rash response seem more relatable. We can probably understand how in such circumstances a small slight can cause an exaggerated response. But does getting an insight into David’s emotional state justify what he was about to do, No. God knew and hence he worked through Abigail to stop David from allowing his anger to lead to sin.

David was a man after God’s own heart, he was not perfect and sinless, only Jesus was, but he walked closely with God and knew the Lord. And that is why even though David was filled with anger as he marched with his men to kill Nabal’s men, he recognizes who ultimately is sending Abigail his way. This was the Lord’s doing and David was quick to understand that.

1 Samuel 25: 32-33 “David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.”

Self-reflection: Abigail reminded David about who he is and whose he is. There will be times when we like David do not always react righteously to a situation and need to be reminded of truths from scripture. What truth of God do we at times need to be reminded of, so that we do not in haste try and take matters in our own hands but trust God to deal with it in his way and in his timing? And how would you go about ensuring that these truths stay with you when needed?  

Like David, may we abide in him and walk closely with him, so that we too will be able recognize God’s hand that he extends to lead us away from actions that are displeasing to him and may we remember who he is and whose we are.

God Bless.