According to the customs of the ancient world, you would never insult a traveler so openly. You would prepare food and invite them to stay with you. You would go out of your way to make them feel welcome. Apparently, Nabal has heard of the problems between David and Saul and has decided to side with Saul. And so when David’s servants went to Nabal asking for provisions, they were refused. Now keep in mind David has been helping Nabal out by keeping marauders from stealing from him, but this doesn’t matter to Nabal.
Fortunately for Nabal he has a smart wife who finds a way to appease David and his men. Abigail saves both David and Nabal from a terrible and tragic event. David was going to attack Nabal out of anger and Nabal is, well he’s just an idiot. Then in a strange twist of fate, when Nabal hears of all that Abigail did he appears as if he’s had a stroke and a few days later “God strikes Nabal dead”. David praises God for this justice and Abigail is now free to marry and it seems like David didn’t waste any time in marrying her.
We read once again of David sparing Saul’s life. It must have been very hard for David not to want to just end Saul’s life and begin his new life as the king. It is hard for us sometimes as well, to just wait on what God has planned. If we rush ahead of God, then we do so without God’s help. David recognized that Saul was still the anointed king and ruler of Israel, and no matter what Saul had done, it was not David’s place to take his life. Just like Nabal. God will take care of it. We just need to be patient.
Blessings
Pastor Kathy