2024_04_03 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- 1 Samuel 25:1-42, 2 Samuel 3:3
This short reading is fascinating. Abigail is described as “a sensible and beautiful woman” (1 Samuel 25:3), but beyond that, she was wise, courageous and humble. [See Kim Feld’s post for more on her courage]. In a culture where women were not often afforded the same respect as men, Abigail earned high praise for stepping into a messy and volatile situation and defusing it. Not only that, but she also spoke truth to David in a manner that protected him from lowering himself to the poor standard of Saul. David is furious at the treatment he and his men have been given and lets his anger and pride get the better of him. Abigail risks becoming a target herself by challenging David to trust God, and in doing so, she reminds David that he is God’s man. “David replied to Abigail, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! 33 Thank God for your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands. 34 For I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, who has kept me from hurting you, that if you had not hurried out to meet me, not one of Nabal’s men would still be alive tomorrow morning.” 35 Then David accepted her present and told her, “Return home in peace. I have heard what you said. We will not kill your husband.” (1 Samuel 25:32-33)
One thing I love about Abigail, and apparently David did too, is that she challenged David to live up to a higher standard than what might have been culturally acceptable. Inhospitality, like Nabal’s was a major offense in the Middle East. To not show even a little kindness and respect to David and his men was inexcusable. But Abigail knew David to be a man who operated in faith and a higher bar of character than the norm for the day. Obviously, she had heard of how he had protected the nation from the Philistines and weathered Saul’s jealous rage. Having been hounded by Saul for so long, David appears to be tempted to give into his emotions rather than to humbly trust God. Abigail comes with a strong voice of wisdom and reason.
As I read this story, two things come to my mind:
- Am I a voice of wisdom and reason to people in my life? Am I willing to risk being blown off or rejected by speaking the truth in love?
- Am I a humble receiver of truth when someone confronts me? Or do I get defensive and write them off?
There is a lot to gain in this short episode!
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor