Day 68 – 1 Samuel 25:37-44

Scripture Review

1 Samuel 25:37-44

"But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone." (1 Samuel 25:37)

This happened "in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal." That means he is no longer in his drunken feast, but now must face the truth sober. Abigail tells him "these things," meaning what had happened with David, how close the end of his life and livelihood had come, and how mercy had spared their house. Then the verse says "his heart died within him, and he became as a stone." The language shows a sudden inward collapse. The man who had been loud, proud, and foolish is now struck down within himself.

"And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died." (1 Samuel 25:38)

"The LORD smote Nabal, that he died." Nabal had acted wickedly, proudly, and foolishly, and now the LORD Himself brings the judgment. David did not have to avenge himself. Abigail had stopped David from taking matters into his own hands, and now the LORD handles it in His own time. The ten days show that God's judgment was not rushed, but it was sure.

"And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife." (1 Samuel 25:39)

David begins with worship: "Blessed be the LORD." He does not praise himself. He praises God. He says the LORD "hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal." That means God took up David's cause. David had been insulted and wronged, but he left room for the LORD to answer it. Then David says the LORD "hath kept his servant from evil." That is very important. David sees clearly that killing Nabal himself would have been evil. Abigail's counsel had helped, but David gives the glory to the LORD. Then the verse says, "the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head." Nabal's sin came back upon himself. After that, David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife. The woman who had brought peace now becomes joined to the man she helped preserve from sin.

"And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife." (1 Samuel 25:40)

David does this in an honorable way. He sends servants to speak to Abigail. "David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife." This is not a secret thing, and it is not a forceful thing. It is a proper approach. Abigail is being shown respect, and David's desire is made known openly.

"And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord." (1 Samuel 25:41)

Abigail responds with deep humility. She "bowed herself on her face to the earth." Then she says, "let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord." This is lowliness of spirit. Abigail does not answer with pride. She does not act as though David is fortunate to have her. She speaks as one willing to serve.

"And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife." (1 Samuel 25:42)

The words "Abigail hasted" show readiness. She does not delay. She arises, rides, and goes after the messengers of David. Then the verse simply says, "and became his wife." The woman who had acted wisely, peaceably, and humbly is now brought into a new place beside David. She had been joined to a foolish and harsh man, but now the LORD has changed her path.

"David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives." (1 Samuel 25:43)

This verse adds another fact from David's life: "David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel." Then it says, "they were also both of them his wives." David's household is growing, and his life is becoming more complicated.

"But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim." (1 Samuel 25:44)

While David is receiving Abigail, Saul had already given "Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti." Saul is still acting against David. He takes what belonged to David and gives it to someone else. Even in a passage that contains delivery and blessing, there is still the shadow of Saul's opposition. David is being cared for by the LORD, but his troubles are not over yet.

Nabal is struck down by the LORD. David blesses the LORD for pleading his cause and keeping him from evil. Abigail moves from danger into peace, and from widowhood into covenant union with David. At the same time, Saul is still opposing David and taking from him what he can.