1

God Protected David Through Abigail

2

[ 1 Samuel 25:32~33 ]

David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.

3

Nabal and Abigail lived in Israel called Maon. Nabal, a Caleb tribe, had land in Carmel and was a rich man with three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. Nabal was a wicked man who believed in his money and treated people badly. But his wife Abigail was a beautiful woman who feared God.

4

On the day of shearing sheep, Nabal sheared the sheep of his sheep. Near Nabal's sheep shearing place was David and his followers. This was a hard time without food because David was being chased by King Saul.

5

David was heard that Nabal was shearing wool. David sent ten men to Nabal to ask for food for himself and his men.

6

There was a reason why David asked Nabal to help them. Because David's men kept Nabal's sheep from being stolen. That's why Nabal sent people because he would thank David and his men and provide food.

7

David's men explained to Nabal that they had helped Nabal's servants. And they asked for something to eat. “Because we have come on this good day, please give us some kindness to eat.”

8

After hearing this, Nabal replied: “Who is David? Who is Jesse's son? Nowadays they say that there are many servants who flee their masters, but how can I give to those who do not know the bread, the water, and the meat of the beast that I have given to my servants who shear the sheep?”

9

The men returned to David and told Nabal exactly what they said. David was very angry when he heard Nabal say that he insulted him as ‘a servant who left his master.’ David told the soldiers to follow him with a sword.

10

David and 400 soldiers went out to kill Nabal. One of Nabal's servants ran to Nabal's wife Abigail to let her know. The servant told Abigail the story of David's protection and Nabal insulted David.

11

Abigail, who heard this story, hastily cooked two hundred loaves of bread, two leather bags of wine, and five lambs and put them on a donkey with other foods. And she sent the servants to David ahead of her. Nabal had no idea of this.

12

Abigail also set out on her donkey to meet David. Abigail saw David and his men coming. David was very angry and was talking harsh words.

“I guarded Nabal's property and kept his sheep from being stolen; he repaid grace as an enemy. By tomorrow, no one in Nabal's family will be killed without leaving. Even if God punishes me for this, I am ready to receive it.”

13

Abigail hurriedly fell at David's feet.

“My Lord, everything is my fault. I did not see the servants my Lord sent. Even now, I think Jehovah's purpose to meet my Lord is to prevent Him from shedding blood. Please forgive me for my fault.” Abigail asked David for forgiveness in behalf of her husband's fault.

14

Abigail told David what he had done before God and blessed him.

“Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.” (1Sm 25:28~29)

15

Listening to Abigail, David regretted what he was trying to do and said.

“David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.”(1Sm 25:32~33)

Abigail's wisdom prevented David from making great mistakes.

16

When Abigail came home, Nabal was drunk after a great feast. The next day, after Nabal woke up, Abigail told Nabal what happened yesterday. Nabal was so surprised that he had hardened like a stone. Ten days later, Nabal ceased to die.

17

Upon hearing that Nabal had died, David praised and confessed God: “Praise Jehovah! Nabal shamed me, but Jehovah did not instruct me to do bad things, but he repaid me for the wrongs that Nabal had done. God prevented David from doing evil through Abigail.

18

The Gospel of Paul spread powerfully in the area of Ephesus overflowing with artemi idols. Millions of people abandoned idols and believed in Jesus. God was with Paul to make the gospel powerful.

The gospel has power. No matter how difficult the land is, God will spread the power of the Gospel. We too must share the gospel with Paul's earnestness to those who need to hear it. Then God touches their hearts to make them believe in Jesus.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)