Scripture
“When the Lord has done all he has promised and his made you leader of all Israel, don’t let this be a blemish on your record. Then your conscience won’t have to bear the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and violence.”

Observation
David moves to the wilderness of Maon. A man named Nabal owns property near the town of Carmel.

David sends some messengers to see if Nabal will provide him with supplies. They remind him that when his shepherds were staying with David’s people, they protected the shepherds. Nabal is sneering in his refusal.

David’s men tell David what has happened, and one of Nabal’s servants tells Abigail, Nabal’s wife about the encounter. While David is on his way to slaughter Nabal’s household, Abigail gathers as much food as she can, and goes to seek mercy from David.

When Abigail tells Nabal what she has done, he has a stroke and dies a few days later. David asks her to marry him which she does.

Application
Foolish acts can weigh us down for a lifetime if we are not careful. Abigail pleaded with David to keep his conscience clear of bloodshed, lest this act define for the rest of his life.

Every day we hear of someone who lashes out in a moment of rage killing someone, ruining their own life as well as taking the other life. Just the other day two teenagers were killed on a local dam in a boating accident caused by an uncle’s momentary lapse of judgement.

To follow the Lord means that we let him be our guide and director. Sometimes we have to subdue emotional responses. Other times we must take care to listen to of the moment by moment leading of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer
Father, please help me to subject everything to you, and to walk with your wisdom and in your ways. Amen.

Scripture

And Saul said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil.”

Observation

Saul resumes his hunt for David in the wilderness of En-gedi. On one occasion, Saul goes into a cave to relieve himself, while David and his men are hiding further in the same cave. David cuts off the hem od Saul’s garment despite his army urging him to use the opportunity to kill Saul.

When Saul leaves the cave, David call out to him and questions why Saul has been hunting him. David shows him the strip of garment demonstrating his loyalty to Saul.

Saul admits that David is the better man, having repaid good for evil. David promises that when he becomes king he will look after Saul’s family. So SAul goes home, but David and his men remain in their stronghold .

Application

The way of the world is to repay evil for evil, tit-for-tat, revenge and honour killings. The way of God is to repay good for evil.

When someone wrongs us, intentionally or otherwise, we should swallow our desire for revenge and all manifestations of anger. We should forgive them and, then, if we have an ongoing relationship, seek to bless them.

The best way to defeat an enemy is to turn them into a friend. This is what God has done for us. We were once enemies of God, but through Christ, we are now friends of God. The fight is over. We are reconciled to him.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for redeeming me, for turning me from your enemy into your friend. Please help me to deal in the same way with people who set themselves against me. Amen.