And so Nabal’s and Abigail’s life’s continued, Nabal always partying and Abigail was always put second.
One day David was in the dessert of Paran. He had already been anointed by God to be king, although he was not yet occupying that position, as he was fleeing from King Saul who sought to kill him so that he wouldn’t take his place. David sent some messengers to Nabal to try to get some food.
"Good morning sir, we are sent by David, who wants to know how you are doing and sent us to say “Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!" said the messengers a bit scared, knowing the infamy of Nabal.
“Speak then, I have no time to waste," Nabal answered with the harshness that characterized him.
David had called to say the following words: “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. Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.”
When the messengers arrived they told Nabal all these words on behalf of David, and fell silent.
“Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days.”
“Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where.” Nabal responded.
So the servants of David went on their way and arriving, they came to announce all these words.
"My lord, Nabal is a rude man and is not going to help us."
David said to his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did, and David strapped his on as well. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.”
One of the Servants, however, announced to Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying “David sent messengers from the wilderness to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.”
The words of the servant seemed fair to Abigail’s ears, she knew her husband's character and since she was a wise women and kind she had to think of a strategy before a misfortune occurred.
Although he was bad, she was not going to take revenge or take advantage of the situation to destroy him.
After all it wasn’t good to become enemies with the future king of Israel, she knew very well her husband was wrong. How would she resolve this issue and deliver her stubborn and obstinate husband?
(Continues next Monday)
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