David Loses His Temper with Nabal

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

David Loses His Temper with Nabal

Date: Jul. 21, 2024

Passage

1 Samuel 25:1-13 (ESV)

1 Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah.

Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. 2 And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3 Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite. 4 David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. 5 So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. 6 And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. 7 I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. 8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.’”

9 When David’s young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. 10 And Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. 11 Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” 12 So David’s young men turned away and came back and told him all this. 13 And David said to his men, “Every man strap on his sword!” And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 25:7

I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel.

Samuel had dedicated a lifetime to serving the people of God as the last judge. Upon his death, all of Israel gathered to mourn.

David was still on the run, living in the wilderness. In Carmel, David and his men made friends with shepherds tending the cattle of a wealthy man, Nabal, who was described as ‘surly and mean.’ David guarded the cattle and protected Nabal’s servants from wild animals and thieves (7,15,16). When the harvest time came, David expected Nabal to return the favor. He asked Nabal to share some food since he had an abundance.

However, Nabal insulted David and refused David’s humble request. He failed to recognize his wealth as God’s blessing (Deu 8:18) and lost an opportunity to have a good relationship with the man who would be the next king. David was furious with Nabal and commanded his men to attack. When kindness was repaid with Nabal’s selfish pride, David lost his discernment and put himself and his men in danger of sinning before God, who prohibits stealing (Lev 19:11). David was in training to be a good king to serve his people according to God’s will.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your guidance. Help me to have wisdom in dealing with the wickedness in the world and to be gracious as you are.

One Word: Honor God and be kind to your neighbor.

Absalom’s Conspiracy

2 Samuel 15:1-12

Key Verse: 15:6

Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

Today's Question

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