A BIGAIL : T HE P EACEMAKER 1 Samuel 25: (p. 273) August 8, 2010

1. ORDINARY PEOPLE: EXTRAORDINARY FAITH Abigail  Ordinary person  Stuck in a relationship with a bad person – her husband Nabal  Extraordinary faith in God Us  Ordinary people  May have bad relationship with: family member, neighbour, coworker, or your boss David  Ordinary person  Bad temper, overreacted  Teachable and did the right thing in the end

2. T HE S TORY OF A BIGAIL THE P EACEMAKER  David is on the run from Saul, who is trying to kill him  Living in wilderness with 600 men  Act as a “protection racket” – protect shepherds and then expect payment/hospitality  In Hebron near the property of a rich, mean, wicked man named Nabal (lit. “fool”)  “Sheep-shearing time” (v4) = festival time, time to repay debts, and right wrongs  David asks Nabal for gifts of hospitality (i.e. payment) for taking care of Nabal’s shepherds & sheep (vv5-9)  Nabal rudely says, No! (vv10-11)  David is angry and responds violently, telling his men to “strap on their swords” and get ready for battle (v13)

2. T HE S TORY OF A BIGAIL THE P EACEMAKER ( CONT ’ D )  Nabal’s servant reports events to Abigail, Nabal’s “intelligent & beautiful” wife (vv14-17)  “Abigail acted quickly” and wisely (v18)  Took a generous gift of food and wine to David and his men  Meanwhile, David is cursing Nabal, swearing he will kill all the men in Nabal’s household (v21)  David’s overreaction is in stark contrast to story in 1 Sam 24 & 26:  David spares Saul’s life because he remembers that vengeance belongs to God alone  Reaffirms his trust in God’s ways and God’s plans for his life.

2. T HE S TORY OF A BIGAIL THE P EACEMAKER ( CONT ’ D )  Abigail intervenes:  Asks David’s forgiveness - takes the blame for Nabal’s bad behaviour (v25ff)  put aside her pride  Smart yet presumptuous – speaks as though David has already decided to stop his attack (v26, 31)  Appeals to David’s dignity and honour as a man of God (v28) and to his future as God’s anointed ruler (v30)  Abigail boosts his confidence  Abigail reminds him that God has a plan for him  Meets David’s physical needs with food and drink

2. T HE S TORY OF A BIGAIL THE P EACEMAKER ( CONT ’ D )  Radical actions in the face of hostility  Abigail’s speech shows:  Extraordinary faith in God to fulfill his promises to secure David’s future as king of Israel  Intelligence - Nabal’s response was wrong, giving hospitality was right according to OT laws  Bold & brave – speaking truth to power  AND she was a woman!!  All in order to seek peace, shalom

2. T HE S TORY OF A BIGAIL THE P EACEMAKER ( CONT ’ D )  It worked! Abigail was successful!  David was convinced and convicted, and thanked God for Abigail’s message  Great picture of David – he listened to good judgment and stopped his evil plan  teachable  humble  contrite / repentant  a man after God’s own heart

3. R EAL L IFE  Who are you?  David – quick to anger, bad temper  Abigail – faithful, bold, ready to intervene  Nabal – mean, wicked, foolish  All of the above?

3. R EAL L IFE  My mother’s story  The neighbour: Faithful and firm in her convictions about raising children Bold & fast acting Brave to tell a stranger how to raise her children  Shalom entered my household  Anna’s story (CBC Radio)  The neighbour: Sorry that she did nothing Bystander effect? Fear?  Long-lasting brokenness

Who are you? Be like Abigail. Be a peacemaker.