I Samuel 25-26
In Chapter 25, David sends a request to a man named Nabal. Nabal is a very rich man with a lot of sheep and goats. He apparently is also a very cruel and mean guy.
Yet somehow he has a wise and beautiful wife named Abigail. Go figure.
Anyway, David asks for some basic supplies for his men. He appeals to Nabal, reminding Nabal that he has always been kind and peaceful with Nabal's shepherds.
Except Nabal of course is a cruel and mean guy. And he doesn't really care. About anyone or anything other than himself.
So he rebuffs David.
Insults him.
And then turns around and walks away.
Obviously, David is not a happy camper to get such news.
And he goes into revenge mode.
He tells his men to get their swords to attack.
Meanwhile, Abigail hears about the situation and decides to remedy it.
She assembles a whole feast of bread, wine, cooked sheep, and cakes. And she heads over to David's camp.
She humbly offers an apology for her husband's behavior and presents her gifts to David. Then she carefully reminds David that he doesn't need to shed innocent blood due to the foolishness of her husband.
If you haven't read her speech, I HIGHLY recommend it.
It is dripping with wisdom and well said.
In the end, David calls off the attack, Nabal dies of natural causes (at the hand of God), and Abigail becomes David's wife.
Now, moving on to Chapter 26.
Again, Saul is pursuing David.
Guess that promise in the last reading didn't hold long.
One night, David sneaks into the camp and finds Saul asleep.
He takes Saul's spear and water jug and sneaks back out of the camp.
Then he calls to Abner (who should be guarding the camp) and lets him know that he is failing his job.
Saul wakes up, disoriented, but he knows that voice. He recognizes it is David.
Again, David lets Saul know he could have killed him but he won't because Saul is God's appointed king for the people.
And again, Saul seems remorseful for chasing an innocent man.
And again, he promises not to harm David (or attempt to) any more.
Promises, promises...
Tomorrow's reading:
I Samuel 27
Reba
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