Thought to Guide Your Reading
David goes outside the normal traditions to marry a righteous woman.Summary in 100 Words or Less
Samuel died. Israel mourned.Nabal was having a great feast. David requested an invitation for him and his men. Nabal insultingly called them runaway servants. David wanted to kill Nabal and all his men. Nabal's wife Abigail intercepted David and prevented the attack. Ten days later Nabal died. David married Abigail.
Saul chased David again. David and his friend Abishai snuck to Saul's side. Abishai asked to kill Saul. David prevented it. They took Saul's spear and water pitcher. Saul was embarrassed once again.
David moved to Gath to escape Saul's reach. He took up God's punishment of the Canaanites.
How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right
Abigail sets things right by taking her husband's blame and begging for peace.
I love this story because Abigail takes it upon herself to defend her husband and his men. Not only does she defend him but she takes on the blame for how David's servants were treated. She remedies the situation by giving the men food in return for their safety. David praises God for sending her,Blessed be God, the God of Israel. He sent you to meet me! And blessed be your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and taking charge of looking out for me. (25:32-33, The Message)God can set things right when wives (and husbands) defend their spouses even when the spouse does not set things right.
David does not follow the Law but takes Abigail as his wife because she sets things right.
The Law says the next-of-kin should take Abigail and have children for Nabal. But God gave Abigail to him because David loved her for her willingness to set things right for God. God will provide for women who set things right.David marries more than one woman at a time.
I point this out only to remind us that our "traditional" view of marriage is not necessarily the "biblical" view of marriage. David is considered a man after God's own heart. He has more than one wife (before he is king).Saul hasn't learned from his past mistakes.
Saul has chased David once and almost died. Because he continues to listen to those who only want war Saul goes after David again. And again he finds himself in David's hand and still alive. The saddest part of this story is that Saul's companions who have convinced him to kill David are not willing to protect him. Beware of your companionship—they can lead you to unwise acts and not protect you during those acts.David once again protects Saul.
Saul once again wants to kill David. He has a force around him willing to kill all of David's men. Yet instead of finishing Saul off so he could take his place as king, David gives Saul another lesson by taking his spear and water pitcher. God can make things right when His Chosen People respect His Anointed, no matter how they do not live up to that name.David takes up God's punishment of the Canaanites.
Over 300 years later David takes up what his ancestors could not.What do you think of Abigail's actions?
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