Tag: Abigail

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Delivered from evil

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Marina Abrosimova on pexels

A “through the bible” devotion from 1 Samuel 25.

I figure I’ve prayed, “Deliver us from evil” over 20,000 times in my lifetime. And I know God answers that prayer by protecting me from harm, getting me through difficult times, and eventually getting me out of here to be with him in eternity. David’s experience in 1 Samuel 25 reminds me that God sometimes accomplishes this through other people.

David is upset with Nabal, who won’t cough up some food and drink for David’s men who have provided protection during a sheep shearing season. David is so upset that he intends to slaughter the whole bunch of them!

Nabal’s wife, Abigail, gets wind of this, gets a huge gift basket together for David, and begs for forgiveness. Her intercession defuses the situation.

“David said to Abigail, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me, and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand'” (1 Samuel 25:32,33).

Thank God for family and friends who pull me aside before I do or say something I’ll regret. My reaction will probably make things worse. Do I really want to add to the evil in this world? In that moment, yes! But not really. It’s good to have a few folks around to calm me down.

David was right to relent. Nabal gets drunk, has a heart attack (?), and dies. God takes care of the whole situation, as he typically does.

Posted in Devotions, Lent

2020 Lent devotion #17 – David saved from bloodguilt

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Antonino Visalli on Unsplash

Abigail said to David, “Now then, my lord, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, because the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be as Nabal.” (1 Sam 25:26)

This is a fascinating episode from David’s life in 1 Samuel 25. Nabal has refused to give anything to David and his band of young soldiers who have provided protection. So David decides to teach him a lesson. Nabal’s wife, Abigail, wisely and quickly gathers up a nice food gift and brings it to David and his army. She begs for mercy and points out that David isn’t yet guilty of a man’s blood. She encourages David to leave justice to God, who will surely take care of the situation. David appreciates both the wisdom and gift, and withdraws. 

Thank God for the people in our lives who persuade us to take a breath and think about what we’re doing. It is so easy to spit out words, make big decisions or abandon relationships in the heat of a moment. But those might not be the wisest words or decisions. Someone who steps in, takes us aside, gets us to pause for a moment are precious gifts, often sparing us regret and guilt. 

The next time someone asks, “Are you sure you want to do that?” or suggests, “Maybe you should try this,” remember Abigail and David. Pause, consider, and perhaps even entrust the situation to God. Remember Jesus, who steps in and saves us from our guilt, too, with his own precious blood. 

Thank you, Lord, for those who step in and help redirect me. Amen.