1 Samuel 24-26
Twice in today’s reading, David shows kindness to the increasingly unhinged and obsessive Saul. Twice, Saul is at David’s mercy; and twice David’s mercy prevails.
Saul is on the hunt for David. In chapter 24, Saul pauses to relieve himself in the very cave where David is hiding; David sneaks up and cuts off a piece of his robe. Afterward, from a distance, he shows Saul what he did—to prove his faithfulness and remind Saul of what he, David, might have done! In chapter 26, David sneaks into Saul’s camp; and takes Saul’s spear and water jug for the same reason he had cut off a piece of Saul’s robe in the cave. In both cases, when David revealed—from a distance—what he had done, Saul appeared contrite and repentant, but only for a time.
The chapter in between (25) contains the story of a fool named Nabal (which actually means “fool”). In this story, David was NOT going to show mercy, until a wonderful woman stepped in. Nabal had insulted David by refusing hospitality to his men. When David heard, he gathered his men to attack the fool. When Abigail, Nabal’s wife, heard of Nabal’s foolishness, she immediately set to work to correct her husband’s offense. She intercepted David and accepted the blame, saying she did not see the men. David was impressed. When she returned and told Nabal what she had done, he had a heart attack and died on the spot. When David heard of Nabal’s death, he came and asked Abigail to marry him.
Three chapters, three times David showed mercy; once with encouragement from Abigail.
Until Monday, when we finish 1 Samuel, and Saul will also be finished,
Pastor Gary
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