Nabal, A son of Belial 1 Samuel 25:2-9 Nabal – Son of Belial 1 Samuel 25:2-9 Biog.

Belial = a godless person; a lawless person

Nabal was a very rich man His “greatness” was the kind that only the worldly minded would admire David had been a great help to Nabal

Nabal refused to help David in a time of need and this moved David to almost make a terrible mistake – one involving personal vengeance

Gal. 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

I. Nabal’s Sowing 1. He was self sufficient – v. 11 2. He was harsh and cruel – v. 3 3. He resented those who tried to give him advice v. 17 4. He was unjust and stingy v. - 21

5. He was degrading to others Vs. 10-11 6. His words were crude, cruel and insulting – v. 14

Proverbs 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Proverbs 18:6-7 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

7. He was extremely insulting to David – v 7. He was extremely insulting to David – v. 10 “Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse?” He spoke without thinking of the consequences of his words

8. He influenced others to do evil v. – 13, 22 He irritated David so much that David lost his self-control – he later admitted his mistake Vs. 32-33

9. Nabal was ungrateful – vs. 16, 21 10. Nabal was a drinker of alcohol v. - 36

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

II. Nabal’s reaping His sowing evil produced a terrible harvest 1. He was respected by no one – vs. 17, 25

Mt. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2. He has gone down in history as a “great fool” He lived up to his name V. 25 “Nabal is his name, and folly is with him”

3. His life ended in a bitter way Vs. 37-39 “A death of no hope always awaits the ‘son of Satan’” This is a powerful motive to follow and obey God’s will

“As he lived, so he died”

III. Lessons for us 1. It is possible for one to remain married to a “Nabal” and remain faithful to God 2. Revenge is never right

Rom. 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

3. The life we live today is making a permanent story for others to read tomorrow 4. Never forget the sad conclusions of a selfish life It leads only to disaster

Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

James 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life?

It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Conclusion This is indeed a dark chapter to study Nabal’s evil influence casts a shadow over the whole story Let us not follow the evils of Nabal and live like fools!