Good morning!
Text: 1 Samuel 23-25; Proverbs 28:1-14
In 1 Samuel 25 we find the story of David, Nabal and Abigail. Nabal means “fool”, and that is what he is. After he offends David, his wife Abigail steps in. With discretion she pacifies David, sparing him from committing violence and also saving the men of Nabal’s domestic domain. David twice pronounces blessings as a result of Abigail’s effort. In 25:32-33 David blesses the name of the Lord and also Abigail, and in 25:39 he blesses the Lord for avenging the matter (Nabal dies by the Lord’s hand, not David’s). In Matthew 5:9 (Sermon on the Mount), Jesus says,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Peace making is truly a blessing.
I am challenged as I ask myself, “So when have I advocated on behalf of a jerk that peace might prevail?” Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The impulse to justice comes easily for me, but the love of kindness (some translations – “mercy”) when justice demands punishment… that is another story.
What a lesson from Abigail. Hold your horses, sue for peace, be kind and merciful. And, if I am but a bystander, step in and be the peacemaker. Then, in His time, the Lord will deal with the matter. In this story, the Lord avenges. For us, may we be peacemakers. May we be like our prince, the Prince of Peace.
in Him, Mike