READ: 1 Sam. 25:1-22
Now David had said, … he has repaid me evil for good. May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light. – 1 Sam. 25:21-22
After not succumbing to the temptation to kill Saul at En-gedi but sparing his life (Chapter 24), David faces a new trial. He sends his men to request a favor from a certain Nabal, a wealthy sheep owner who is celebrating with his shearers.
David’s men have protected Nabal’s shepherds and flocks, so David expects a positive response to his request. Nabal’s servants also speak positively about their assistance (vs.15).
But Nabal rejects this request and behaves very rudely and insults David. Although he knows very well who David is, he does not see him as a future king but rather as a renegade servant of Saul (vs.10). For him, David is nothing.
Nabal’s reaction testifies to unbelief. He chooses against the LORD and His anointed. David feels deeply offended, and rightly so. Refusing a kind and reasonable request is not in line with Eastern hospitality, nor with the norm of God’s Word. It is also unfair to David, who had just helped Nabal (vs.21).
How does David react? Does he act humanly in anger and rage, or does he show faith and dignity by leaving it to the LORD? David immediately lets his anger run wild. He sets out with 400 armed men to take revenge. A servant tells Nabal’s wife, “Evil is fully determined against our master and all his house” (vs.34). David even confirms this with an oath (vs.22). How should we evaluate David’s reaction?
Nabal is known as a fool and acts accordingly, but David, the anointed of the Lord, must not act out of anger and certainly not kill someone and slaughter his family on his own. He must not repay evil with evil but leave it to the Lord (Rom. 12:17-21).
Shouldn’t you give someone their deserved reward?
Singing: Ps. 35:1,5