David sends messengers to Nabal requesting provisions during the sheep-shearing festival, citing that David's men protected Nabal's shepherds. Nabal refuses the request rudely. Abigail acts to prevent conflict by bringing provisions to David without Nabal's knowledge. David accepts Abigail's gift and blesses her. Upon hearing of Nabal's actions, David prepares to attack him, but Abigail pleads for mercy. God strikes Nabal and he dies, sparing him from David's vengeance. David then marries Abigail.
1 and 2 Chronicles were written as the exiled nation of Israel returned after 70 years to begin rebuilding the temple. Chronicles was written to show the centrality of God and that the blessings of God require obedience to His law. The books describe many of the same events as 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings but the focus in on Judah and the temple. It also describes one of the greatest acts of repentance and forgiveness in the Bible.
Israel is defeated by the small town of Ai. Joshua pleads with God trying to understand why this has happened. When Achan’s sin is known, it is dealt with properly and Israel returns to God’s favor. You will learn three lessons from this: 1) Jehovah knows my sin; 2) Overcoming defeat; and 3) Sin affects the community.
1 and 2 Chronicles were written as the exiled nation of Israel returned after 70 years to begin rebuilding the temple. Chronicles was written to show the centrality of God and that the blessings of God require obedience to His law. The books describe many of the same events as 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings but the focus in on Judah and the temple. It also describes one of the greatest acts of repentance and forgiveness in the Bible.
Israel is defeated by the small town of Ai. Joshua pleads with God trying to understand why this has happened. When Achan’s sin is known, it is dealt with properly and Israel returns to God’s favor. You will learn three lessons from this: 1) Jehovah knows my sin; 2) Overcoming defeat; and 3) Sin affects the community.
There are several lessons we can learn from the life of Abraham as we journey by faith into God's promises. This message highlights some of the important lessons. In our journey of faith we must remember that we are a people in covenant with God, and God is completely committed to us. He will not fail on His side of the covenant.
For sermon audio, resources, FREE publications etc, kindly visit our website http://www.apcwo.org/
Esther - lessons from the Queen of a vast realmMichael Scaman
'For such a time as this' is the most famous phrase in the Book of Esther.
The book of Esther follows Lamentations in the Jewish 'Psalms section' of the Tanach
While Lamentations laments how the princess has fallen in the dessert, the princess is raised up in Esther. Jeremiah's deep lament is followed by a story of providence and deliverance in Esther.
The Prophets and prophecies are recorded through out the Bible from genesis to Revelation: from Noah, to King David, from John the Baptist to Jesus to the lesser known prophets in the early church. The prophets communicate God's messages different ages and can have multiple fulfillments.
The Book of Esther describes the biggest threat to the Jewish people that was not equalled until the Holocaust. Without being mentioned directly God creates a series of "coincidents" that defeat the threat.
Deja Vu All Over Again? David Spares Saul Again: 1 Samuel 26 Bible StudyDanny Scotton, Jr.
Many think 1 Samuel 24 and 26 are different traditions of the same event, but there are important differences. David here comes across Saul not by chance, but by choice. In both accounts he acts wisely -- by not taking matters into his own hands.
For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-2-Sam-26
There are several lessons we can learn from the life of Abraham as we journey by faith into God's promises. This message highlights some of the important lessons. In our journey of faith we must remember that we are a people in covenant with God, and God is completely committed to us. He will not fail on His side of the covenant.
For sermon audio, resources, FREE publications etc, kindly visit our website http://www.apcwo.org/
Esther - lessons from the Queen of a vast realmMichael Scaman
'For such a time as this' is the most famous phrase in the Book of Esther.
The book of Esther follows Lamentations in the Jewish 'Psalms section' of the Tanach
While Lamentations laments how the princess has fallen in the dessert, the princess is raised up in Esther. Jeremiah's deep lament is followed by a story of providence and deliverance in Esther.
The Prophets and prophecies are recorded through out the Bible from genesis to Revelation: from Noah, to King David, from John the Baptist to Jesus to the lesser known prophets in the early church. The prophets communicate God's messages different ages and can have multiple fulfillments.
The Book of Esther describes the biggest threat to the Jewish people that was not equalled until the Holocaust. Without being mentioned directly God creates a series of "coincidents" that defeat the threat.
Deja Vu All Over Again? David Spares Saul Again: 1 Samuel 26 Bible StudyDanny Scotton, Jr.
Many think 1 Samuel 24 and 26 are different traditions of the same event, but there are important differences. David here comes across Saul not by chance, but by choice. In both accounts he acts wisely -- by not taking matters into his own hands.
For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-2-Sam-26
1 Samuel Chapters 25-31, Rejecting God and His Revelation Is Irrational; Athe...Valley Bible Fellowship
1 Samuel Chapters 25-31, Rejecting God and His Revelation Is Irrational; Atheism; Ghosts; Channeling Demons; Necromancy, communicating with the dead; witchcraft, sorcery, black magic, or Wicca
Our little Church is using a Chronological Bible Reading Schedule by Skip Andrews. It can be found here: http://www.churchofchristduluthga.org/
Each Sunday a lesson is given from some of that week's reading. This lesson covers Apr. 13-19.
A verse by verse commentary on 1 Samuel 21 dealing with David at Nob where he got bread from the priest and the sword of Goliath.It was then on to Gath where he pretended to be insane to fool the king of Gath.
God talks to us life of david mark jackson february 24 2019Pacific Church
As great as it is when people in the Old Testament hear an audible voice from God telling them what to do, that is not always the way God communicates now. In Three Different Chapters, we have three different stories of ways God communicates with David, with the purpose of helping David center His life around God.
As part of Biblefresh, Wycliffe Bible Translators have been running a series of classes, helping people to understand more of the Bible.
This talk provides an introductory look at Biblical hermeneutics, and how we can understand what a Bible passage means. The talk is by Barrie Evans.
1 Corinthians 15:5-8 Bible Study | “Facts: Faith’s Firm Foundation (Part II)”Danny Scotton, Jr.
For the audio, slideshow, unedited live stream recording and more: https://catchforchrist.net/1-corinthians-15-5-8-bible-study/ ✝
If Christ has not been raised our proclamation is without foundation (1 Cor 15:14). If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the Christian faith is worthless (1 Cor 15:17)
When some were doubting the resurrection of the dead, Paul reminds the members of the church in Corinth that he founded about the facts:
Christ died for our sins -- according to the Scriptures. Christ was buried. Christ was raised on the third day -- according to the Scriptures.
And, Christ appeared to many witnesses: Peter, the Twelve, over 500 at the same time, James (his formerly skeptical half-brother) and Paul (the former persecutor) last of all.
Paul uses both subjective and objective evidence to address their doubts. And after considering the objective historical evidence that modern scholars of all stripes agree upon, the best explanation of the "minimal facts" is that Christ indeed was raised from the dead.
Many reject this not only because this would turn their world(view) upside down, but also because many are prejudiced against miracles.
Yet, if God created this incredibly vast, incredibly complex universe out of nothing, raising one person from the dead is small potatoes.
This world is ever-changing, but the facts of what Christ did on the cross are never changing. On Christ the Solid Rock let's stand; all other ground is sinking sand.
For Part I: https://catchforchrist.net/1-corinthians-15-1-4-bible-study/
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Bible Study | “Facts: Faith’s Firm Foundation (Part 1)”Danny Scotton, Jr.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Bible Study (edited) live stream recording from a lesson shared on 10.7.20. This lesson provides commentary on the context and meaning of the first part of what is likely the earliest Christian creed.
For the audio, slideshow, and more, please visit: https://catchforchrist.net/1-corinthians-15-1-4-bible-study/
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Since some in the Corinthian church had doubts about a bodily resurrection, Paul reminds those in the church he founded about the basic facts of the faith:
Christ died for our sins -- according to the Scriptures. Christ was buried. Christ was raised on the third day -- according to the Scriptures. And, Christ appeared to many witnesses.
Quoting what is likely the earliest Christian creed we have to date, the apostle emphasizes the factual foundation of the Christian faith.
Due to time constraints, we paused at 1 Cor 15:4 and planned to finish up to 1 Cor 15:8 next Wednesday.
For a previous sermon on this passage, please visit: https://catchforchrist.net/1-corinthians-15-1-8-sermon-commentary-video/
Imagine going to a physician for treatment and the doctor starts talking to you about your sins!
When Jesus heals the paralyzed man in Capernaum, He once again demonstrates His authority -- the authority to even forgive sin.
Seeing true faith -- faith that manifests itself in action, in spite of difficulties -- Jesus, the prophesied Son of Man from Daniel 7:13-14 (cf. Mk 14:61-62), does what only God can do.
The religious leaders present consider Christ's claim to forgive sin to be blasphemy. But Jesus provides eye-opening evidence of His divine authority and of the prophesied Kingdom of God He inaugurated.
Just as Jesus healed the man from His physical paralysis and freed him from his mat, He can heal us from our spiritual paralysis and free us from our sin.
For the audio, video and more from this lesson, please visit: https://catchforchrist.net/mark-2-1-12-bible-study/
"Preach the Word. Teach the Word. Reach the World" | 2 Timothy 4:1-5Danny Scotton, Jr.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 sermon slides from Pastor Danny Scotton, Sr.'s 18th Pastoral Anniversary Sunday Service Live Stream.
For the sermon text, video, audio, sources and more, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-2-Tim-4-1-5
For more sermons and studies, please visit: https://CatchForChrist.net
For more from this service, please visit http://bit.ly/ABC-9-27-20
Some of the last words the Apostle Paul ever wrote charge the younger and more timid Timothy to preach the word -- always being ready -- and to fulfill his ministry before God the Father and Jesus the Coming Judge and King.
Since false teachers had infiltrated the church in Ephesus, scratching the itch of those who wanted their ears tickled with something new, Paul commands Timothy to correct, rebuke, encourage with great forbearance and thorough instruction.
Timothy must also endure hardship and do the work of an evangelist, spreading the Gospel to nonbelievers.
He must preach the word, teach the word, and reach the world -- as should we.
"Good Seed. Good Ground?" Matthew 13:1-23 Sermon SlideshowDanny Scotton, Jr.
The Gospel is always good seed. But it doesn't always fall on good ground. The question is, what kind of soil are we? For the sermon text, audio, slideshow, sources, and more, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-Four-Soils
Christ the Redeemer's message produces a mixed bag of results. Jesus explains four different reactions to the Gospel in the Parable of the Sower (aka The Parable of the Four Soils).
First, hard-hearted hearers, referring to the seed sown by the path, are unwilling to understand. Satan snatches the seed of the message of the Kingdom from their hearts.
Second, fair-weather “fans”, referring to the seed sown on rocky ground, are initially enthusiastic but fickle and fleeting; when times get tough, they fall away since they have no root. They have a superficial, shallow commitment.
Third, backburner “believers”, referring to the seed sown among thorns, are unfruitful because the daily concerns of life and lure of material wealth compete for their allegiance.
No matter which camp one is in, all three are useless.
In contrast, fruitful followers, referring to the seed sown on good soil, bear fruit 100, 60, and 30 times what was sown. Such people continually produce fruit – godly actions that manifest their commitment to Christ.
https://catchforchrist.net/luke-5-1-11-sermon/
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After the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus calls Peter and the others to (metaphorically) catch people -- that they also may follow Christ.
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In response to the grace of Christ, let’s respond with faith in Christ. Since we’ve been caught by God’s amazing grace, let’s seek to catch others -- with God’s amazing guidance.
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Luke 5:1-11 sermon first broadcast during the Alpha Baptist Church (of Willingboro, NJ) Sunday Service Live Stream on August 2, 2020.
For the (footnoted) sermon text, bibliography, and more, please visit: https://catchforchrist.net/luke-5-1-11-sermon/
For more from this virtual service, please visit: https://www.alphabc.org/8-2-20-catch-for-christ/ . For more sermons, lessons, etc., please visit: https://CatchForChrist.net
Matthew 7:24-27 Sermon Slides | "Listen the LORD, the Wise Foundation"Danny Scotton, Jr.
Ever have to ask someone, "Did you hear what I just said?" Often, we know that they heard us, but they're acting as if they didn't.
There's a difference between hearing and listening. Hearing means audibly perceiving something with one's ear. Listening means responding to what was heard with appropriate action.
In light of all that He has said previously, at the end of the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus makes it clear that it is necessary not to just hear His words, but to do them.
For there are essentially two ways to live upon hearing Christ's words. The wise both hear and do -- metaphorically building their house on the rock. The foolish hear but don't -- metaphorically building their house on sand.
Those who listen to Christ can stand when the storms come; those who don't can't stand the rain.
Will we listen to the LORD? Did we hear what Jesus just said?
For the sermon text, sermon audio, sermon slideshow, bibliography, footnotes, and more, please visit: https://catchforchrist.net/matthew-7-24-27-sermon/
For more sermons, lessons, etc., please visit: https://CatchForChrist.net
James gives wise instruction concerning how brothers and sisters in Christ should view worldly wealth. The rich and poor should evaluate themselves not by material standards but by spiritual standards.
Poor Christians should boast in their exalted position in/with Christ; rich Christians should boast in their humble dependence on and identification with our humble Lord.
For more information on this study, please visit: https://alphabc.org/james-1-9-11-bible-study
The first lesson in our Bible Study series on the letter of James, which was live streamed on 4.1.20. To view/download the corresponding slideshow, please visit: https://alphabc.org/james-1-1-4-bible...
James commands Christian brothers and sisters to consider it all joy when we fall into various trials. Why? Because the testing of our faith produces perseverance. We must persevere through the testing God allows us to endure so that this process may perfect our faith(fulness) and Christian character.
We must trust God's refinement process! Let's have joy (different from happiness) through our growing pains!
For an audio recording of this Bible Study live stream and the aforementioned slideshow (in addition to more studies), please visit: https://alphabc.org/bible-study
While teaching in the Capernaum synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus is interrupted by a demon-possessed man. Jesus then rebukes the demon, commanding it to shut up and get out of the man. After its violent exit, people in the synagogue are not only amazed with Jesus authoritative words, but astonished by His authoritative works. He proclaims the inbreaking kingdom of God in both word and deed
For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/Mark-1-21--28-Lesson
The (Post-)Baptism & Temptation of Jesus | Mark 1:9-13 (Prologue Part II) LessonDanny Scotton, Jr.
Three important experiences signify the inauguration of the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ -- the King. (1) The heavens are torn open, (2) the Holy Spirit descends into Jesus, and (3) God's heavenly voice speaks. God's word confirm that Jesus is the royal Messiah, the unique Son of God, and the prophesied Suffering Servant.
Then, Jesus is driven out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan -- setting the stage for the spiritual battle that runs throughout Mark.
Kingdom Come/Coming! Repent and Believe! Exhibit A | Mark 1:14-20 LessonDanny Scotton, Jr.
Because the appointed time has come, and the kingdom of God has come near, people should repent and believe in the gospel. Christ -- the King -- is both the message and the messenger. His first disciples exhibit the appropriate response to Christ's radical claim: radical obedience
The (Post-)Baptism and Temptation of Jesus | Mark 1:9-13 LessonDanny Scotton, Jr.
Three important experiences signify the inauguration of the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ -- the King. (1) The heavens are torn open, (2) the Holy Spirit descends into Jesus, and (3) God's heavenly voice speaks. God's word confirm that Jesus is the royal Messiah, the unique Son of God, and the prophesied Suffering Servant.
Then, Jesus is driven out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan -- setting the stage for the spiritual battle that runs throughout Mark.
For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-Mark-One-9-13
The LORD is our shepherd. Therefore, He has authority over us humble sheep. Moreover, He protects and provides, sustains and secures, guards and guides. Even in trouble, we need not fear; for God is with us. Our ultimate desire should not be God’s presents but God’s presence.
For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-Psalm-23-Study
The Gospel of Mark Prologue (Part I) | Mark 1:1-8 Lesson Danny Scotton, Jr.
Though scholars debate the length of the prologue, Mk 1:1-8 is largely about John the Baptist while Mk 1:9-15 is largely about Jesus. The transition from John the Baptist to Jesus the Christ (i.e., the Messiah) indicates the transition from the old era to the dawning of a new age in redemptive history.
For more info, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-Mark-Overview
What do lions do when they take over a pride? They often kill the cubs of the former lion king. Similarly, in the ancient Near East, new kings would often kill off any potential rivals from the former king's family. Going against cultural norms, however, King David demonstrates his lovingkindness by having King Saul's grandson eat at his table like a son...
For more information, please see: http://bit.ly/C4C-Davids-Lovingkindness
Psalm 1 tells us that the righteous will prosper and the wicked will be destroyed. But what should we do when it seems like the wicked prosper -- often at the expense of the righteous? Psalm 37 is wisdom psalm, full of proverbs from A-Z, that tells us how to live faithfully while the faithless seem to flourish
For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-Psalm-37
David's road to the throne exemplifies putting the matter into God's hands, rather than one's own hands. Though he has to be reminded by the wise Abigail, when it comes to dealing with his enemies, David relies on God's timing.
In this lesson, we briefly review the drama that takes place between 1 Samuel 24 and 2 Samuel 4 (cf. David Sparing Saul... Again), before focusing on the three reasons why David is finally anointed king of the United Kingdom in 2 Samuel 5.
For more info, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-Davids-Road-To-Royalty
Ambassadors For Christ (2 Corinthians 5:11-21) Bible StudyDanny Scotton, Jr.
Christians are called to be ambassadors -- authorized agents of the message of reconciliation to God through Christ. In this (updated) Bible Study, based on a sermon previously shared on 9.29.19.
For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-Ambassadors-Study
For the sermon video, outline, text, bibliography and more, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-Ambassadors-Sermon
Lost & Found | Parable of the Prodigal Son Bible Study (Luke 15:11-32)Danny Scotton, Jr.
'The Parable of the Two Lost Sons and Gracious Father'. Doesn't have the same ring to it, right? Yet, it is likely a bit more accurate than "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" or "The Parable of the Lost Son".
All three main characters represent parties who are probably present when Jesus takes advantage of a teachable moment...
For footnoted sermon text, video, Greek text, author's translation, bibliography, and more please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-Lost-Son-Sermon
For more on this Bible Study, please visit: http://bit.ly/C4C-Prodigal-Son-Study
Homily: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Sunday 2024.docxJames Knipper
Countless volumes have been written trying to explain the mystery of three persons in one true God, leaving us to resort to metaphors such as the three-leaf clover to try to comprehend the Divinity. Many of us grew up with the quintessential pyramidal Trinity structure of God at the top and Son and Spirit in opposite corners. But what if we looked at this ‘mystery’ from a different perspective? What if we shifted our language of God as a being towards the concept of God as love? What if we focused more on the relationship within the Trinity versus the persons of the Trinity? What if stopped looking at God as a noun…and instead considered God as a verb? Check it out…
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
2. CONTEXT
• In 1st Samuel 17, David defeats Goliath. Saul makes gives David a high rank in the army (1 Sam 18:5)
• When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet
King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang:“Saul has slain his
thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” (1 Sam 18:7, NIV)
• Saul grew angry (1 Sam 18:8-9) and tried to kill David. David eludes him (1 Sam 18:11)
• Saul still unsuccessfully tries to kill David (1 Samuel 18-20)
• 1 Samuel 21: David goes to Nob and asks for bread from the priest, Ahimelek, and gets Goliath’s sword (1 Sam 21:1-9). David flees to
Gath and pretends to be a madman (1 Sam 21:10-15)
• David’s family and others join him, and he becomes commander of about 400 men (1 Sam 22:1-5)
• Saul has the priests of Nob killed – along with the entire town of Nob (1 Sam 22:6-23)
• David and his troops save the town of Keilah from the Philistines (1 Sam 23:1-6). Saul pursues David at Keilah until he hears that the
Philistines are raiding the land (1 Sam 23:7-29)
3. DAVID SPARES SAUL
1 SAMUEL 24
• After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told,“David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” So
Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his
men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there,
and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave.The men said,“This is
the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you,‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to
deal with as you wish.’ ”Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. (1 Sam
24:1-4, NIV)
• Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his
men,“The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lay my
hand on him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.”With these words David sharply rebuked his men
and did not allow them to attack Saul.And Saul left the cave and went his way. (1 Sam 24:5-7, NIV)
4. DAVID SPARES SAUL
1 SAMUEL 24
• Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul,“My lord the king!”When Saul looked behind him, David
bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. He said to Saul,“Why do you listen
when men say,‘David is bent on harming you’?This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD
delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said,‘I will not lay my
hand on my lord, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’ See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I
cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am
guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. May
the LORD judge between you and me.And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me,
but my hand will not touch you.As the old saying goes,‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will
not touch you. (1 Sam 24:8-13, NIV)
• “Against whom has the king of Israel come out?Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? May the LORD be
our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me
by delivering me from your hand.” (1 Sam 24:14-15, NIV)
5. DAVID SPARES SAUL
1 SAMUEL 24
• When David finished saying this, Saul asked,“Is that your voice, David my son?” And
he wept aloud.“You are more righteous than I,” he said.“You have treated me well,
but I have treated you badly.You have just now told me about the good you did to
me; the LORD delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me.When a man finds
his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the
way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom
of Israel will be established in your hands. Now swear to me by the LORD that you will
not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.” So David
gave his oath to Saul.Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the
stronghold. (1 Sam 24:16-22, NIV)
6. DAVID SPARES SAUL… AGAIN
1 SAMUEL 26
• So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the
camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head.Abner and the soldiers were lying
around him.Abishai said to David,“Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands.
Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.”
But David said to Abishai,“Don’t destroy him!Who can lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed
and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives,” he said,“the LORD himself will strike
him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.
But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed. Now get the spear
and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.” (1 Sam 26:7-11, NIV)
7. DAVID SPARES SAUL… AGAIN
1 SAMUEL 26
• Then Saul said,“I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life
precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been
terribly wrong.” “Here is the king’s spear,” David answered.“Let one of your young men come
over and get it.The LORD rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness.The
LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed.
As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all
trouble.”Then Saul said to David,“May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great
things and surely triumph.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned home. (1 Sam 26:21-
25, NIV)
8. 1 SAMUEL 25
“NARRATIVE ANALOGY”
• The account of David,Abigail, and Nabal is sandwiched between two parallel
accounts of David sparing Saul.There are several literary connections between
Saul and Nabal who both acted like a fool (cf. 1 Sam 26:21) – “narrative analogy”
(Baldwin, 157 cf. Vannoy, 223; Evans, 138; Firth, 265;Youngblood, 237)
• This is not a disconnected account; Saul “is Nabal’s alter ego” (Vannoy, 223 also
Youngblood, 237 cf. Firth, 265; Klein, 253).
• Both refuse to acknowledge David – unlike those around them (Vannoy, 224)
• The narrator is making a point without stating it explicitly (Vannoy, 224)
9. 1 SAMUEL 25:1-3
THE STAGE IS SET
• Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and
they buried him at his home in Ramah.Then David moved down into the
Desert of Paran.A certain man in Maon, who had property there at
Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand
sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. His name was Nabal and his
wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but
her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite. (1
Sam 25:1-3, NIV)
10. THE STAGE IS SET
1 SAMUEL 25:1-3
• Samuel’s death marks the end of an era (Payne, 317; Baldwin, 156; Bergen, 243). Perhaps both Saul and David were at
the funeral (Evans, 137)
• Samuel had anointed David as the new king (1 Samuel 16:13) and Saul had finally recognized this (1 Sam 24:20). His
“work was done” (Payne, 317)
• David fled from Saul and was sought refuge from Samuel (1 Sam 19:18; Vannoy, 225; Firth, 266)
• “David is left without one of his strongest supporters” (Wolf, 284 cf. Klein, 247); Samuel’s counsel and rebuke are no
longer available to either of them (Evans, 137 cf. Bergen, 243). David was vulnerable (Vannoy, 225)
• Will things fall apart now that Samuel is gone? (Cf. Evans, 137; Firth, 265)
• Saul delivered Carmel from the Amalekites and built a monument in his own honor (1 Sam 15:12; IVP;Walton, 369;
Evans, 138; Bergen, 245; Firth, 266; Klein, 247). Perhaps this is why Nabal apparently sides with Saul (IVP;Walton, 369)
11. THE STAGE IS SET
1 SAMUEL 25:1-3
• Abigail = “my father rejoices” (Walton, 369) or “my father is joy[ous]” (Baldwin, 158; Bergen, 245 cf.
Tsumura, 577;“divine Father”Youngblood, 241; Klein, 248).
• Abigail is described as intelligent, similar to how David was described (Hb. śkl; 1 Sam 18:5, 30; Bergen,
246). David was also attractive (1 Sam 16:12; Firth, 266; Klein, 248 cf. 1 Sam 16:18;Youngblood, 242)
• Nabal = “fool” / “foolish” (IVP cf.Walton, 369;Vannoy, 223; Bergen, 245;Tsumura, 577; Firth, 266;
Youngblood, 241; Klein, 247) but it’s unlikely that his mother gave him this name (IVP;Walton, 369;
Baldwin, 157;Youngblood, 241; Klein, 247). Could have been a nickname (Evans, 138;Youngblood, 241)
• Perhaps the biblical writers give him this name to indicate his character (IVP), or there was some other
positive meaning of the word (Walton, 369;Youngblood, 241), or of a similar-sounding word (Tsumura,
577)
12. THE STAGE IS SET
1 SAMUEL 25:1-3
• Nabal is wealthy like Job (Job 1:3; Firth, 266; Klein, 247) but a fool. Foolishness and wealth are a dangerous combo (cf. Pr
30:22; Firth, 266;Youngblood, 250). Saul also had three thousand men (1 Sam 24:2, 26:2;Youngblood, 241)
• The fool says in his heart,“There is no God.”They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. (Ps
14:1 NIV; Baldwin, 157;Tsumura, 588;Youngblood, 242; Klein, 248)
• Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. (Pr 18:2, NIV; Baldwin, 157)
• The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. (Pr 18:7, NIV; Baldwin, 157)
• Abigail is of good (|טוֹב ṭôb) understanding (ֶלכ ֵשׂ | śēkel); Nabal is evil (ע ַר | raʿ); They’re mismatched (Baldwin, 158)
opposites (Klein, 248). Sharp contrasts foreshadows… (Bergen, 246).
• Abigail represents wisdom, Nabal represents folly (Klein, 246). Good judgment (śēkel) wins favor, but the way of the
unfaithful leads to their destruction. (Pr 13:15, NIV; Firth, 266;Youngblood, 241)
• Good (ṭôb; 1 Sam 25:3, 8, 15, 21, 30-31, 36) and Evil (raʿ; 1 Sam 25:3, 17, 21, 26, 34, 39) appear in Hb. seven times each
(Youngblood, 241)
13. THE STAGE IS SET
1 SAMUEL 25:1-3
• Abigail is like the “wife of noble character” of Proverbs 31 (Evans, 138; Pr 31:10;Tsumura, 575).
Perhaps, implies that anyone who was attractive and wise like Abigail would side with David
(Evans, 138)
• Caleb was one of the faithful spies (Numbers 13-14); Hebron was given to him and his
descendants (Josh 14:13-15; Judg 1:20;Walton, 369 cf. Baldwin, 158;Tsumura, 577; Klein, 248).
• Nabal is a member of a prominent clan (Firth, 267)
• Bethlehem was apparently settled by descendants of Caleb, David was from Bethlehem… they
were distant relatives (1 Ch 2:19, 50-51, 54;Walton, 369 cf. Bergen, 245)
• Calebite also sounds like the Hebrew word for “dog”; could be a pun (Walton, 369;Tsumura,
577;Youngblood, 242 cf. LXX; Firth, 264 but seeVannoy, 221)
14. 1 SAMUEL 25:4-9
DAVID’S REQUEST
• 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 favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time.
Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.’ ”
When David’s men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name.Then they
waited. (1 Sam 25:4-9, NIV)
15. 1 SAMUEL 25:4-9
DAVID’S REQUEST
• Instead of “long life”, it may mean “you shall say to my kinsman” (ḥay cf.Vg.;1 Sam 18:18; Firth, 262),“brethren”
(Tsumura, 577 cf.“brother” Klein, 243). Good health = לוֹם ָשׁ (šālôm) (Youngblood, 242)
• Sheep-shearing time was a time of feasting for all (Wolf, 284; IVP; Evans, 140; Bergen, 246;Tsumura, 576;
Youngblood, 241) – a time of abundance and (hopefully) generosity (Walton, 369 cf. Baldwin, 157; Evans, 140)
• Sheep would be counted and shepherds would be rewarded (IVP). Herdsmen would be compensated for safely
delivering sheep (IVP;Walton, 370); David requests a part of that compensation (IVP)
• Shepherds would be liable for any lost sheep (Walton, 370).
• Wool was one of the largest commodities in the economy (Walton, 369). One sheep two pounds of wool.
Nabal’s 3,000 sheep three tons of wool (Walton, 369)
16. 1 SAMUEL 25:4-9
DAVID’S REQUEST
• Feeding six hundred men was likely a challenge (Evans, 139). David wanted provision/compensation from
Nabal in exchange for his protection (from raiders like the Amalekites) (Payne, 317 cf. Bergen, 246)
• Some say it was a protection racket (Baldwin, 158;Youngblood, 242); if so, it was “a fairly gentle one”
(Evans, 139). He did not threaten (Firth, 267)
• They could have plundered farms (Evans, 139); instead they rely on customary standards of hospitality (cf.
Genesis 19; Rom 12:13; 1Tim 5:10; 1 Pet 4:9; Evans, 139) and requests “whatever” Nabal may be willing to
give (Youngblood, 243). He requests “payment for prior protection” (Klein, 248)
• David sends a small (unthreatening) group of ten men (Evans, 140 cf. Bergen, 246)
• David calls himself his son as Saul had called David his son (1 Sam 24:16; Bergen, 246;Youngblood, 243 cf. 1
Sam 26:17, 21, 25; Klein, 248).David is using polite and humble terms while negotiating (Tsumura, 580)
17. 1 SAMUEL 25:10-11
NABAL’S RESPONSE
• Nabal answered David’s servants,“Who is this David? Who is
this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from
their masters these days.Why should I take my bread and
water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and
give it to men coming from who knows where?” (1 Sam
25:10-11, NIV)
18. 1 SAMUEL 25:10-11
NABAL’S RESPONSE
• Could be seen as a “brave refusal” of someone who supported Saul to give in to bullies (Evans, 140).
Nabal didn’t ask for Nabal’s help (Tsumura, 581)
• David did kind of break away from his master (Payne, 317) – but only because his master was trying
to kill him…
• Readers know that David is the chosen king, not a rebel (Payne, 317) or a deserter (Wolf, 284)
• Nabal is oblivious to God’s plans (Payne, 317). Nabal rejects David’s request and insults David (IVP) –
unnecessarily and in violation of hospitality norms (Evans, 140)
• Nabal knows who David is (“son of Jesse”) but refuses to “adopt” him as a “son” (Baldwin, 159 cf.
Evans, 140) and implies that he is merely a runaway slave (Bergen, 246)
19. 1 SAMUEL 25:10-11
NABAL’S RESPONSE
• Saul calls David “son of Jesse” when talking about him dismissively (1 Sam 20:30-31;
22:7-9, 13; Firth, 267 cf. 1 Sam 20:27;Youngblood, 243; Klein, 248)
• David is likely the most famous/infamous member of his tribe (Bergen, 246).“Who is
David?” is a “formal rejection” (Tsumura, 581)
• Self-centeredness: there are eight first-person references (“I” / “my”) (Bergen, 247;
four apiece;Youngblood, 243)
• He is unwilling to even give them bread and water – the “most basic food and drink”
(Nu 21:5; Dt 9:9, 18; 1 Ki 13:8–9, 16–17 cf. Jdg 8:4-6, 15;Youngblood, 243)
20. 1 SAMUEL 25:12-13
DAVID’S RESPONSE
• 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. (1 Sam 25:12-13, NIV)
21. 1 SAMUEL 25:12-13
DAVID’S RESPONSE
• David was wronged, but this is an overreaction (Payne, 317)
• Takes 400 men, leaves 200 to guard the supplies and perhaps the women and children (cf. 1 Sam 27:3;
Bergen, 247)
• David is like,“If you want to behave like a fool it will be the last time you do so” (Vannoy, 225)
• More lit.“‘Put on your swords!’ So they put on their swords, and David put on his sword.”
Repetition is important. (Vannoy, 225 cf.Tsumura, 581;Youngblood, 242)
• Contrast: May the LORD judge between you and me.And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you
have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. (1 Sam 24:12, NIV;Vannoy, 226;Tsumura, 575)
• May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he
vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.” (1 Sam 24:15, NIV; Firth, 273)
22. 1 SAMUEL 25:14-17
ABIGAIL FINDS OUT
• One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal’s wife,“David sent messengers from
the wilderness to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at
them.Yet these men were very good to us.They did not mistreat us, and the
whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. Night
and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our
sheep near them. Now think it over and see what you can do, because
disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a
wicked man that no one can talk to him.” (1 Sam 25:14-17, NIV)
23. 1 SAMUEL 25:14-17
ABIGAIL FINDS OUT
• Ironically, Nabal’s servants are not too loyal to him! (cf. 1 Sam 25:10-11; Baldwin, 159; Firth, 268;
Youngblood, 243; Klein, 249).As with Saul, Nabal’s family and servants side with David (Tsumura, 582)
• The servants confirm David’s claim (Walton, 370); David was “very good” to them (Baldwin, 160; Hb. ṭōbîm
mĕʾōd; Bergen, 247) – just as David was very good to Saul (Hb. ṭōbîm mĕʾōd; 1 Sam 19:4; Bergen, 247)
• “Greetings” is lit. blessing (Tsumura, 582).The word bless (ך ַר ָבּ | bārak) is repeated throughout
• Just as David was a protected his flocks (1 Sam 17:34-35), so he protected their flocks – as a good shepherd
(cf. 2 Sam 7:7; Bergen, 247)
• He “sought the good of Nabal but received insults in return” (Baldwin, 159)
• They would appreciate David’s protection; they would be liable for any lost sheep (Walton, 370)
• The servants know that Nabal is foolish and that “it is no use talking to [him]” (Evans, 140).
24. 1 SAMUEL 25:18-19
ABIGAIL ACTS QUICKLY
• Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread,
two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted
grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of
pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.Then she told her
servants,“Go on ahead; I’ll follow you.” But she did not tell
her husband Nabal. (1 Sam 25:18-19, NIV)
25. 1 SAMUEL 25:18-19
ABIGAIL ACTS QUICKLY
• Unlike Nabal,Abigail acts quickly (1 Sam 25:18, 23, 34, 42;Youngblood, 244)
• Bread, water, and meat were mentioned as a reward by Nabal in 1 Sam 25:11;Abigail acknowledges David’s services (IVP) and
shows hospitality (Walton, 370)
• Giving gifts was tied up with the honor/shame culture (Walton, 370); Nabal had not only refused David’s request, he
dishonored him (Walton, 370)
• Bushel (five seahs) of roasted grain, one omer (2 quarts) of rains, and 200 pressed fig cakes could be stored and eaten later
(IVP;Youngblood, 244). Seah is about 15 liters (Tsumura, 584) or six quarts (Firth, 264).
• These were probably already prepared for the feast (Baldwin, 160). Not enough to feed six hundred men and their families for
long, but it was substantial (Bergen, 248)
• Nabal may have been too drunk or too dull to notice… or maybe they had so much that this loss would be insignificant
(Evans, 141)
• She prepares a gift like Jacob did for Esau when he came w/ four hundred men (Gen 32:3-31; Gen 32:6;Tsumura, 583 cf.
Firth, 269)
26. 1 SAMUEL 25:20-22
SUSPENSE BUILDS
• As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there
were David and his men descending toward her, and she met
them. David had just said,“It’s been useless—all my watching
over this fellow’s property in the wilderness so that nothing
of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. May
God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by
morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!” (1
Sam 25:20-22, NIV)
27. 1 SAMUEL 25:20-22
SUSPENSE BUILDS
• David repaid Saul good for evil (1 Sam 24:17), but here he does not care about blood-guilt (Baldwin, 160; Klein,
249 cf. 1 Sam 24:7;Tsumura, 585)
• Saul made a foolish vow in 1 Samuel 14 (Evans, 141; Bergen, 248): Now the Israelites were in distress that day,
because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying,“Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening
comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food. (1 Sam 14:24, NIV)
• But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of
the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes
brightened. (1 Sam 14:27, NIV)
• Saul said,“May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan.” But the men said to
Saul,“Should Jonathan die—he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the
LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men
rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death. (1 Sam 14:44-45, NIV cf.Vannoy, 225)
28. 1 SAMUEL 25:20-22
SUSPENSE BUILDS
• The Hb. is actually different, David’s oath more lit. says,“Thus may God do to David’s
enemies, and thus may he add…” He avoids taking the LORD’s name in vain (cf. Ex 20:7;
Bergen, 248).
• He is essentially saying: May God kill all of my enemies I fail to kill (Bergen, 248)
• 22 May God do thus to David’s enemies and thus again, if I leave from all that belongs to him, by
the morning, one wall-pisser!” (cf. wall-pisser when referring to killing all males 1 Ki 14:10;
16:11; 21:21; 2 Ki 9:8;Tsumura, 585; Klein, 250 also see Firth, 269 who translates differently)
• Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good. (Pr 17:13, NIV;
Tsumura, 585 cf. Gen 44:4; Jer 18:20; Ps 35:12, 38:20, 109:5;Youngblood, 245)
29. 1 SAMUEL 25:23-27
ABIGAIL’S SPEECH (PART I)
• When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before
David with her face to the ground. She fell at his feet and said:“Pardon your servant,
my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. Please pay no
attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name
means Fool, and folly goes with him.And as for me, your servant, I did not see the
men my lord sent.And now, my lord, as surely as the LORD your God lives and as
you live, since the LORD has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself
with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord
be like Nabal.And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given
to the men who follow you. (1 Sam 23:27, NIV)
30. 1 SAMUEL 25:23-27
ABIGAIL’S SPEECH (PART I)
• The aroma of food may have partly pacified David (Evans, 141), but Abigail’s speech is masterful – the longest speech by a woman in
the OT (Bergen, 250 also cf. 2 Sam 14:2, 20:16-19;Tsumura, 587)
• Abigail has nothing good to say about her husband (Wolf, 284); she admits that he is a fool as his name suggests (Baldwin,161; Firth,
270). He has done wrong by not paying David for his services (cf. Dt 24:15; Bergen, 250). She is honest (Youngblood, 247)
• For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil:They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they
leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water. (Is 32:6, NIV; Baldwin, 161;Tsumura, 588; Firth, 270;Youngblood, 247; Klein, 248)
• Abigail calls David “my lord” repeatedly (Wolf, 284; Firth, 270) and speaks from a lowly place – his feet (Baldwin, 160; Firth, 270) (more
lit. his nose, which could also metaphorically refer to his anger cf. Gen 27:45; Ex 32:12; Firth, 264)
• She calls herself his handmaid (ה ָמ ָא |ʾāmâ; Baldwin, 160;Youngblood, 246) six times (1 Sam 25:24, 25, 28, 31, 41) and his
(maid)servant twice (ה ָח ְפ ִשׁ | šipḥâ; 1 Sam 25:27, 41; Firth, 270). She speaks humbly unlike Nabal who refers to David as a servant
(Youngblood, 246)
• More lit.““With me myself, my lord, is the guilt!” (Tsumura, 586 cf. Firth, 263; Klein, 244). Likely hard to put the guilt on a beautiful and
wise woman (Baldwin, 160;Tsumura, 588 cf. Evans, 141; Bergen, 250;Youngblood, 246).
31. 1 SAMUEL 25:23-27
ABIGAIL’S SPEECH (PART I)
• Her self-sacrifice demonstrates her loyal character.Would David want a wife who could not be trusted?
(Youngblood, 246)
• She speaks presumptively as if God has already restrained David from incurring blood-guilt (Baldwin, 161 cf.
Evans, 141; Bergen, 250). She engages in imprecation (Baldwin, 161) and/or prophecy (Tsumura, 588-9)
• David is contrasted with Nabal, and therefore wise David is contrasted with foolish Saul (Wolf, 284)
• Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. (Pr 26:2, NIV;
IVP) – “undeserved curses would really have no affect [sic]” (Longman, 463)
• “Gift” is lit.“blessing” (ָהכ ָר ְבּ | bĕrākâ) (Bergen, 250;Tsumura, 589;Youngblood, 247; Klein, 259). Nabal is stingy
but Abigail is generous (Youngblood, 247)
• Saul admits he acted like a fool (though a different Hb. root; 1 Sam 26:21;Youngblood, 247)
• She calls herself his handmaid, but Abigail is the “master of the situation” (Baldwin, 161 cf.Tsumura, 589)
32. 1 SAMUEL 25:28-31
ABIGAIL’S SPEECH (PART II)
• “Please forgive your servant’s presumption.The LORD your God will certainly
make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the LORD’s battles, and no
wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. Even though someone is
pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the
bundle of the living by the LORD your God, but the lives of your enemies he will
hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.When the LORD has fulfilled for my lord
every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over
Israel, my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless
bloodshed or of having avenged himself.And when the LORD your God has
brought my lord success, remember your servant.” (1 Sam 25:28-31, NIV)
33. 1 SAMUEL 25:28-31
ABIGAIL’S SPEECH (PART II)
• Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Sam 8:20,
NIV;Youngblood, 248)
• Pun: bound in the bundle of the living; slung from the sling (Walton, 371). Could be a bound document: the “Document of
the Living” or the “Book of the Living”, a heavenly book in which all living people are recorded (Walton, 371; cf. Ex 32:32-33; Ps
69:29;Tsumura, 589 cf. Is 4:3; Klein, 251)
• Could refer to the bag of small stones shepherds carried to tallied sheep that were bought or sold (Walton, 371;Tsumura, 589).
Alludes to David defeating Goliath with a sling stone (1 Sam 17:49; Baldwin, 161; Bergen, 250; Firth, 270;Youngblood, 248)
• Abigail knows about the political conflict between David and Saul. She is confident that the LORD has chosen David (Evans,
141 cf. 1 Sam 13:14; Bergen, 250). She assures him he’ll have a “sure house” (cf. 2 Sam 7:11, 17, 26, 27; 1 Kgs 2:24; 1 Kgs 11:38;
Klein, 250-1)
• Abigail tells David not to avenge himself (and jeopardize his future (Youngblood, 249)), but to leave it in the hands of the LORD
– as David did with Saul (Baldwin, 162 cf. Vannoy, 226; 1 Sam 24:3-22; Bergen, 250)
34. 1 SAMUEL 25:28-31
ABIGAIL’S SPEECH (PART II)
• For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
(Dt 20:4, NIV cf. Jdg 7:2; Klein, 250)
• David is to fight “the LORD’s battles” (cf. 1 Sam 18:17;Tsumura, 589;Youngblood, 248; Klein, 250); not take personal revenge
(Vannoy, 226) over petty wrongs (Bergen, 250).Abigail mentions the LORD seven times (Youngblood, 249)
• “ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the
LORD. (Lev 19:18, NIV; Berge, 250)
• It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon
them.” (Dt 32:35, NIV; Evans, 142; Bergen, 250;Youngblood, 247)
• Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:“It is mine to avenge; I will
repay,” says the Lord. (Rom 12:19, NIV; Evans, 142)
• Remember: alludes to Saul’s request: “Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe
out my name from my father’s family.” (1 Sam 24:21, NIV; Evans, 142) – and Jonathan’s (1 Sam 20:14-18;Tsumura, 591).
• Remember = “act favorably in behalf of” (Bergen, 250) like Joseph asked the cupbearer (Gen 40:14;Youngblood, 249)
35. 1 SAMUEL 25:32-35
DAVID TAKES ABIGAIL’S WISE ADVICE
• 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. Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has
kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not
one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak.” Then
David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said,“Go
home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.” (1 Sam
25:32-35, NIV)
36. 1 SAMUEL 25:32-35
DAVID TAKES ABIGAIL’S WISE ADVICE
• God providentially uses Abigail to prevent David from committing a heinous evil (Payne, 317)
• Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. (Pr 11:22 NIV;Youngblood, 249; Klein, 251)
• Otherwise,“no one left urinating against the wall” would be alive (Bergen, 250). Contrast: Saul wiped out the priests and people
of Nob (1 Sam 22:6-23; Bergen, 251)
• “Blessed be the LORD”… (Baldwin, 162); Blessed is mentioned three times (Bergen, 251;Tsumura, 591; Klein, 244)
• David recognizes that the LORD has sent her to keep him from acting foolishly, avenging himself (Wolf, 284; Baldwin, 161; Evans,
142;Vannoy, 226; Firth, 271), bloodshed and bloodguilt (Baldwin, 161; Firth, 271)
• The idiom “avenging oneself with one’s own hand” occurs three times (1 Sam 25:26, 31, 33;Vannoy, 226).Violence often breeds
violence (Baldwin, 162). David is liable to act on impulse (Baldwin, 162; Evans, 142)
• It is wise to listen to godly wisdom even from “unexpected sources” (Evans, 143 cf.Vannoy, 226). David thanks Abigail and praises
God for her (Vannoy, 227).“Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.” (Pr 9:8, NIV)
• Go in peace,“more than a conventional salutation” (Baldwin, 162;Tsumura, 592)
37. 1 SAMUEL 25:36-38
FATAL REACTION
• When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a
banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very
drunk. So she told him nothing at all until daybreak.Then in
the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all
these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a
stone.About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he
died. (1 Sam 25:36-38, NIV)
38. 1 SAMUEL 25:36-38
FATAL REACTION
• While others went hungry, Nabal was gorging himself (Baldwin, 162; Klein, 251). Hb. nebel means
“wine-skin” (Tsumura, 592 cf. Firth, 264;Youngblood, 245, 250; Klein, 249, 252); nĕbēlâ means corpse
(Firth, 270)
• Like the feast of a king (Baldwin, 162) – like King Saul (Bergen, 251). Both were wealthy men who
benefited from David’s actions but repaid evil for good. Both had female members of their family marry
and help David. Both died under God’s judgment (Bergen, 251 cf. 1 Sam 19:11f.)
• Sheep-shearing = party-time. Drunkenness was not uncommon (Wolf, 284). Daybreak was when
David said he would kill all the males (1 Sam 25:22;Youngblood, 250)
• May have been a stroke (Baldwin, 163; Evans, 141; Bergen, 252;Tsumura, 592) due to rage(?) (Evans,
143). He lost five sheep out of three thousand! (Youngblood, 245)
39. 1 SAMUEL 25:36-38
FATAL REACTION
• Heart like stone echoes (1 Sam 25:29; Firth, 271). He may have lost heart (i.e., courage) (cf. 1 Sam 17:32;
Youngblood, 250). In Ex 15:16, Moses says God’s enemies will be “still as a stone” (Youngblood, 250)
• I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give
you a heart of flesh. (Eze 36:26, NIV;Youngblood, 250;“disobedient heart of stone” Klein, 252)
• Nabal died of natural causes but ultimately all life and death is in the hands of the Supernatural (Payne, 318) –
it is interpreted as God’s judgment on him (Baldwin, 163)
• As surely as the LORD lives,” he said,“the LORD himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die,
or he will go into battle and perish. (1 Sam 26:10, NIV;Vannoy, 224;Tsumura, 575; Klein, 252)
• David’s messengers wished him “long life” and “good health”… (1 Sam 25:6) he was denied both! (Bergen,
246)
40. 1 SAMUEL 25:39-44
WEDDING A WISE WOMAN
• When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said,“Praise be to the LORD, who has upheld my
cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing
wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” Then David sent word
to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail,
“David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife.” She bowed down with her face
to the ground and said,“I am your servant and am ready to serve you and wash the feet of
my lord’s servants.” Abigail quickly got on a donkey and, attended by her five female servants,
went with David’s messengers and became his wife. David had also married Ahinoam of
Jezreel, and they both were his wives. But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to
Paltiel son of Laish, who was from Gallim. (1 Sam 25:39-44, NIV)
41. 1 SAMUEL 25:39-44
WEDDING A WISE WOMAN
• David sees the LORD’s hand in Nabal’s death (cf. 1 Sam 25:22 Hb.; Bergen, 252), likely foreshadowing Saul’s death (Tsumura, 592 cf.
Wolf, 284)
• Three times David (1 Sam 25:34, 39) and Abigail (1 Sam 25:26) say the LORD kept David from wrongdoing (Vannoy, 226). Avenge
(ע ַָשׁי | yāšaʿ) also occurs three times (1 Sam 25:26, 31, 33;Youngblood, 247)
• Do not say,“I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge (yāšaʿ) you. (Pr 20:22, NIV; Baldwin, 163;
Youngblood, 247)
• Abigail is willing to be a servant.“Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is
better for him to say to you,“Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.” (Pr 25:6,7ab, NIV; cf. Mt 23:10-11; Lk
14:8-10; Bergen, 252)
• Footwashing was usually self-administered (Ge 18:4, 19:2, 24:42, 43:24, Judg 19:21, 2 Sam 11:8, SS 5:3;Youngblood, 251; Klein, 252).
She demonstrates her willingness to be “slave of all” (Mk 10:44 cf. Jn 13:5-17;Youngblood, 251)
• David was married to Saul’s daughter, Michal (1 Sam 18:27); marrying her to another man showed Saul’s contempt for David (Payne,
318 cf. 2 Sam 3:13-16;Wolf, 284). Saul had no legal right to do so (Evans, 143)
42. 1 SAMUEL 25:39-44
WEDDING A WISE WOMAN
• Politics: David was no longer Saul’s son-in-law (Payne, 318), weakening his claim to the throne (Wolf, 284;Tsumura, 594; Firth, 272).
• Marrying Abigail and Ahinoam had political advantages, linking him with influential families in Judah/Hebron (Payne, 318;Wolf, 284; IVP;
Walton, 371-2;Tsumura, 594; Firth, 271). He would also likely have the right to Nabal’s property (Baldwin, 163 but seeTsumura, 593).
David would later be anointed king in Hebron near Carmel (2 Sam 2:4; Bergen, 253;Tsumura, 576; Firth, 265; Klein, 246, 252)
• Marrying Abigail was not his aim; he was just trying to feed his troops (Baldwin, 163).Abigail gains protection from Saul (Evans, 143);
David gains her wise council (Evans, 143). Marriage was likely good for Abigail since she admits he was “good-for-nothing”
• Abigail and David had a son named Kilean (2 Sam 3:3) or Daniel (1 Ch 3:1) (Evans, 143). He may have been acting as her kinsman
redeemer (Bergen, 252)
• Perhaps the account foreshadows how David can be “susceptible to feminine charms” (Baldwin, 163). David can be passionate – for
good or for evil (Baldwin, 163).
• There are many parallels in this account and the account of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11; Firth, 273). Foreshadowing: David
tries to kill a man, and marries his wife (Youngblood, 252)
43. CONCLUSION
• The LORDs providential hand is clearly working through these events (1 Sam 25:32; Baldwin, 164) – God works through all things
(Rom 8:28;Tsumura, 576, 594)
• Though Samuel died (Firth, 272), David wisely recognizes the godly wisdom of Abigail and takes her advice; a lesser man would have
rejected her (Baldwin, 164)
• Despite David’s flaws, God protects him from personal vengeance and bloodguilt, preparing him for the throne of Israel (Baldwin, 164)
• Temptation vs. Divine Providence (Vannoy, 224). Satan attempts to lead us astray (1 Pet 5:8;Vannoy, 227) often when we’re vulnerable
(Vannoy, 227)
• The relationship between David and Nabal is paralleled with the relationship between David and Saul (Vannoy, 224). In both cases,
David deals with injustice. But he must wait for the LORD’s justice, not take it into his own hands (Vannoy, 225; Firth, 273)
• Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live
at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:“It is mine to
avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Rom 12:17-19, NIV;Vannoy, 227 cf. Pr 25:21-22; Rom 12:20-21; Firth, 271)
• No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond
what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Cor 10:13, NIV;Vannoy, 227)
44. BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Baldwin, Joyce G. 1 and 2 Samuel:An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 8.Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988.
• Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Vol. 7.The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996.
• Evans, Mary J. 1 & 2 Samuel. Edited byW.Ward Gasque, Robert L. Hubbard Jr., and Robert K. Johnston. Understanding the Bible Commentary Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012.
• Evans, Mary J. The Message of Samuel: Personalities, Potential, Politics and Power. Edited by Alec Motyer and DerekTidball.The Bible SpeaksToday. Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity
Press, 2004.
• Firth, David G. 1 & 2 Samuel. Edited by DavidW. Baker and Gordon J.Wenham.Vol. 8.Apollos Old Testament Commentary. Nottingham, England; Downers Grove, IL:Apollos;
InterVarsity Press, 2009.
• Klein, RalphW. 1 Samuel. Vol. 10.Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas:Word, Incorporated, 1983.
• Longman,Tremper, III. Baker Commentary on the OldTestament: Proverbs. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2006.
• Matthews,Victor Harold, MarkW. Chavalas, and John H.Walton. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: OldTestament. Electronic ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
• Payne, David F.“1 and 2 Samuel.” In New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, edited by D.A. Carson, R.T. France, J.A. Motyer, and G. J.Wenham, 296–333. 4th ed. Leicester,
England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
• Tsumura, David. The First Book of Samuel. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI:Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007.
• Vannoy, J. Robert. Cornerstone Biblical Commentarya: 1-2 Samuel.Vol. 4. Carol Stream, IL:Tyndale House Publishers, 2009.
• Walton, John H. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (OldTestament): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009.
• Wolf, Herbert M.“1-2 Samuel.” In The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, edited by Gary M. Burge and Andrew E. Hill. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012.
• Youngblood, Ronald F.“1, 2 Samuel.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 Samuel–2 Kings (Revised Edition), edited by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland,Vol. 3. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009.