https://youtu.be/_iUXi_BytKY

Peace Pride or Penitence

1 Sam 25 Samuel Dies, Rich

guy named Nabal wife Abigail. Smart and Beautiful. Nabal- Harsh and evil. David

goes to where Nabal is shearing the sheep and sends his guys to ask for some

provisions. Nabal says no. They go back to David and David says to get ready to

go to war with Nabal. Abigail finds out about this through one of Davids men.

Abigail quickly brings a bunch of food to David and his men but didn’t tell her

Husband. David is on the warpath. She goes to David and pleads- please- Don’t

go to war- You’re going to be King and this will ruin you. David responds to

her and says I’m not going to do it because you said I shouldn’t. Abigail goes

back to find her husband drunk- so she waits til morning to talk to him, and

she does and then nabal dies ten days later. David rejoices that Nabal is dead.

So then David decides to take Abigail as a wife. He’s so happy he takes another

wife.

There’s three main characters in this story- Nabal,

Abigail and DavidThey all have  a

role to play- and in the story we can look and decide which person we want to

be in this story- No one is perfect- but when we read a story like this- what

do we get from it?

PeacemakerAbigail is the peace maker in this story- The young men of David come to her and share what’s going on- and try to influence Nabal through AbigailAbigail has a choice here- She can double down with her Husband and Destroy David- but she has awareness of a larger plan for David  and Israel- Her allegiance is to God not her husbandProverbs 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.Theres always a point in an interaction or relationship where a person has to decide- will I bring peace in this or will I stoke the fires of discontent and resentment? She becomes a  Peacemaker READ 23-26As a kid- huge wooden structure to play on- years of fun- someone lit it on fire- hate othersSo what does Abigail do? She pleads with David- begs him- goes so far to put the offense on herself ““On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be!”She wants what is right- not what is self-serving or beneficial for herself- She wants PEACE She understands that conflict helps no one. Destruction helps no one. Peace is betterShe could have easily gone back to her husband and got him in a tiffy and watched the fightPsalm 34:14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

What does it mean to?The story of our faith is that we are at peace with God through Jesus- how can we not be?Isa 9:6 Jesus is the Prince of Peace- Rom 15:33 our God is a God of peaceYou were a vile sinner at war with God- and God brought you close to Jesus and forgave youAnd NOW- you have the audacity to create strife and division instead of creating peace?This isn’t a call to pacifism there is a time to engage and stand- this is more in the churchHeb 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:Everyone- Family, neighbors, friends, strangers, who ever. You don’t have to be friends- but you have to make it right- you have to try and make peace with them- Back in apartment days- fighting over parking spot. Wife bought a jacket- will this make peace?Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.What are you doing to be a peace maker? What are the conversations you’re having at work, home and at church? A coarse word is said- do you stop it, or pile on and watch the flames? Stop it before it stopsAbigail saw the big picture- the future of Israel and Davids life- she sought peace

2. Prideful- 10 Then Nabal answered David’s servants,