Our story today picks up with David asking Nabal, a rich man whose flocks he and his men have been protecting, for food. Nabal refuses, and David swears to kill him and his household. David’s wrath is only stopped by Nabal’s good wife, Abigail, who brings David food and begs him to reconsider. Speaking with greater-than-human wisdom, she points out that revenge would be a spot on David’s character, and that God is the One who avenges. The next part of the story is quite interesting:
“When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until daybreak. Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone. About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died. When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the LORD, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” (1 Sam 25:36-39) NIV
How often do we react like David? We try to help someone, they turn on us, and our first thoughts turn to revenge? But let’s not forget the ending to this story. David doesn’t do what he plans, thanks to Abigail’s godly advice, and in the end, without sin on David’s part, Nabal does get his just reward!
The Bible warns us not to take revenge into our own hands: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” (Lev. 19:18) Later, Paul repeats the same warning: “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:19-21). How much better of a world this would be, if we would just adhere to this advice: Leaving to God the right to avenge, and in so doing, keeping ourselves free of sin!
“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.scripturalnuggets.org ), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org