1 Samuel 25 - A foolish man and a wise woman

Samuel the prophet died and all the nation mourned for him.

David moved to an area occupied by a wealthy man, Nabal, and his wife Abigail. Nabel was mean and head-strong, conversely his wife was intelligent and beautiful. In the Bible women are often painted as having better character than men. 

David sent his men to approach Nabal in a very reasonable manner. Nabal, true to character, just hurled insults at David's men. In various training courses we are often given the impression that if you only approach someone, or deal with them, in the right way then all problems will be overcome. This is simply nonsense. We should use common sense and grace and wisdom, and often this will help move things towards a good solution. However, there are some people, and some situations, where it doesn't matter what we do, we will make no progress. Nabal was such a person. The servants recognised what an idiot Nabal was being, and they spoke to Abigail about to, hoping to avert trouble.

Abigail took steps to provide for David's men, but did not tell Nabal.

David was all ready to exact vengeance on Nabal, but Abigail stopped him. She gave them provisions and spoke wisdom. Actions and words should go together, it is not one or the other.

Nabal the idiot was drunk, so Abigail told him what she had done in the morning. He had a heart-attack and died.

David rejoiced because he had been stopped from killing Nabal himself, and so taking a wrong responsibility upon himself. So we see another example of leaving judgement to God. God does not need us to do everything, there are matters that He gives us responsibility for, and things that He will take care of Himself. We need to do what He gives us to do, but to have the faith and wisdom to let Him take care of the other matters.

David took Abigail as his wife. So David is building quite a collection of wives. Note that this does not mean that it was a good thing. In taking Abigail as a wife he was in one way helping her, because otherwise she would be a widow. However, no doubt the fact that she was beautiful played a part! On the other hand, having more than one wife usually leads to strife of some sort. God's perfect plan is one man one woman. It is also of note that Saul had taken one of his daughters, a wife of David, and given her to someone else. Social customs were different in those days!