Read: 1 Samuel 25:21–35
I once drove fifty miles to have a hard conversation with a remote
staff person. I had received a report from another employee that
suggested he was misrepresenting our company, and I was concerned for
our reputation. I felt nudged to offer an opinion that might change his
choices.
In 1 Samuel 25, an unlikely person took great personal risk to confront a future king of Israel who was about to make a disastrous choice. Abigail was married to Nabal, whose character matched the meaning of his name (“fool”) (vv. 3, 25). Nabal had refused to pay David and his troops the customary wage for protecting his livestock (vv. 10–11). Hearing that David planned a murderous revenge on her household, and knowing her foolish husband wouldn’t listen to reason, Abigail prepared a peace offering, rode to meet David, and persuaded him to reconsider (vv. 18–31).
How did Abigail accomplish this? After sending ahead donkeys loaded with food to satisfy David and his men and settle the debt, she spoke truth to David. She wisely reminded David of God’s call on his life. If he resisted his desire for revenge, when God made him king, he wouldn’t “have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed” (v. 31).
You might also know someone dangerously close to a mistake that could harm others and compromise their own future effectiveness for God. Like Abigail, might God be calling you to a hard conversation?
In 1 Samuel 25, an unlikely person took great personal risk to confront a future king of Israel who was about to make a disastrous choice. Abigail was married to Nabal, whose character matched the meaning of his name (“fool”) (vv. 3, 25). Nabal had refused to pay David and his troops the customary wage for protecting his livestock (vv. 10–11). Hearing that David planned a murderous revenge on her household, and knowing her foolish husband wouldn’t listen to reason, Abigail prepared a peace offering, rode to meet David, and persuaded him to reconsider (vv. 18–31).
How did Abigail accomplish this? After sending ahead donkeys loaded with food to satisfy David and his men and settle the debt, she spoke truth to David. She wisely reminded David of God’s call on his life. If he resisted his desire for revenge, when God made him king, he wouldn’t “have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed” (v. 31).
You might also know someone dangerously close to a mistake that could harm others and compromise their own future effectiveness for God. Like Abigail, might God be calling you to a hard conversation?
Dear God, please help me know when to lovingly confront others.
Sometimes following God means difficult conversations.
It is never easy to speak truth to power. Abigail does a masterful job of assessing the situation; physical, emotional and spiritual. Amazing that she was bold enough to do this, especially considering the status of women in David's time.
ReplyDeleteI agree Mark! Even in today's world this is a difficult task. This is a good reminder for us to "think before we act", instead of reacting emotionally.
DeleteAnother extraordinary encounter in the Old Testament. This is so contradictory to the status quo of at least our modern American society. We are suppose to "not knock the boat", "Mind our own business", "Not take a chance of offending etc.
DeleteHowever, this was a very prudent and shrewd thing for Abigail to undertake which insured the life of her foolish husband short lived as it was. There was a saying in the 1940s from a star quarterback who said While I'm not a great man, there's a great woman behind me.This certainly applies to Nabal whose name is foolish. It is quizzical of his response when he found out that Abigail had saved his hide. Unfortunately for him he became like stone and died shortly thereafter.
What a wonderful devotional. I do love this verse: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18. I think it's exactly what the Lord wants for us, to live amongst others with kindness and peace which I know is so hard in our World today. Yes we are to love others, but when needed we need to be able to confront them "in love". It's sometimes hard to tell those around us when you think a bad decision is being made. It's okay to correct those around us as long as we are being kind. Thank you for sharing.
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