Living by Faith: Women Who Trusted God

Session 1 Rahab: Courageous Faith

Session 2 Deborah: Encouraging Faith

Session 3 Hannah: Faith That Prays

Session 5 The Poor Widow: Faith That Gives

Session 6 The Samaritan Woman: Faith Worth Sharing

Honor Christ by stepping in to help resolve conflict.

Society encourages us to “live and let live” and “mind your own business.” Even the Bible exhorts us not to be busybodies or stick our noses in everyone else’s affairs. But the Bible also calls us to support one another, and that often means intervening when someone is about to cause harm. Christians cannot sit idly by. “So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it” (James 4:17). Abigail is an example of how to intervene with humility.

As Israel was moving from a tribal confederation to a strong nation, Samuel anointed two kings of Israel: Saul first, later David. Samuel died (1 Samuel 25:1). David and his six hundred men (v. 13) camped in the wilderness area of Paran near Maon about seven to eight miles south of Hebron. Nabal, a very rich man, and his wife, Abigail, had thousands of sheep and goats being sheared in Carmel

Who’s someone you want in your corner when trouble is brewing?

What impresses you about Abigail in these verses?

In what way does Abigail serve as a contrast to both Nabal and David?

When have you seen humility or respect defuse a growing conflict?

How would you describe Abigail’s words and actions in this situation?

Where do you see opportunities for Christians to help resolve conflicts?

David’s response reveal about his belief in God?

What lessons can we learn from Abigail as we seek to make peace today?

Live It Out

Ask for God’s Help. Pray for someone in your life who is dealing with conflict. Ask the Lord to intervene.

Give permission. Give someone permission to step in whenever you are on the verge of a bad decision.

Step in. Is the Lord asking you to intervene for someone else? Spend time reading Scripture that mentions unity in the body and pray for God to give you humility as you mediate.

Abigail was an effective mediator between her husband Nabal and King David. When necessary we should use our skills to intervene and intercede for peace.