David’s request to Nabal

25. August 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Our text opens up today with some very sad news; Samuel dies.  We have not heard from Samuel since he anointed David as king but this phenomenal prophet’s journey has come to an end.

Here is our story:

I Samuel 24: Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David moved down into the Desert of Maon. 2 A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. 3 His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was surly and mean in his dealings. 4 While David was in the desert, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. 5 So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. 6 Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours! 7 ”‘Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. 8 Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my young men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.’” 9 When David’s men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name. Then they waited.

In our text, after the death of Samuel, David moves into the Desert of Maon and while he was there, he had been watchful over a wealthy man’s sheep and shepherds by the name of Nabal.    David is in need of food for his men and because he has been kind to Nabal’s property, he sends a message to him requesting that whatever he could spare, please do so.

Notice that yesterday’s lesson dealt with Saul apparently making amends with David and making covenants with one another.   Now our lesson shifts to David’s dealings with others. 

Tomorrow, we will see what Nabal’s response to David will be.  It is quite interesting.

Please notice in our text that Nabal has this beautiful wife by the name of Abigal.  She will be very key in our study.

Stay encouraged!!!

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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