Point of Grace International
PGI - July 16, 2023 Sunday Service
In our church we aim to make it feel like a home, where strangers feel they are part of the family, where smiles are overflowing and hugs are natural, because we believe that life is a journey, and that we are simply channel of blessings. In our church we value three things, gratitude because it's the proper response to God, excellence because God expects nothing less, and grace because we all need it.
Locations & Times
Point of Grace Church
15601 Sheridan St, Davie, FL 33331, USA
Monday 9:00 AM
https://www.facebook.com/PGIFortLauderdale
LYRICS FOR TODAY'S SONGS
CCLI License # 1613304
CCLI License # 1613304
July 16 | 1 Samuel 25 (ESV) ISG
Storyline 1 Samuel 25 (ESV)
1 Now Samuel died…Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. 2 And there was a man in Maon… was very rich. 3 Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite. 4 David heard…sent ten young men.
10 And Nabal answered David's servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? 14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife… 18 Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys… David and his men came down toward her. 21 Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good. 22 God do so to the enemies of David and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him.”
23 When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground…25 Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him… 26 Now then, my lord, as the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, because the LORD has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be as Nabal. …And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.”
32 And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! …35 Then David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. 37 In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. 38 And about ten days later the LORD struck Nabal, and he died.
39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed be the LORD who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife.
The Text in Context
“Chapter 24 ends with David’s being vindicated as Saul acknowledged David’s innocence, pronounced a blessing upon him, and assured him that he would someday be the king of Israel. However, he did not invite David to return to the royal court; Saul and David went their separate ways (v. 22). As we move to chapter 25, Saul remains backstage for a brief time as the narrator focuses on David’s dealings with the wealthy but foolish Nabal, and his wise wife, Abigail. In chapter 24 David refused to take vengeance into his own hands; instead, he appealed to God for vindication. In chapter 25 this theme of vengeance emerges again. Nabal insults David, prompting David to seek vengeance against him. But wise Abigail intervenes and very diplomatically warns David that such a deed would be unworthy of Israel’s future king. David recognizes her as God’s messenger and praises the Lord for keeping him from doing something unwise. David instead waits on the Lord and is vindicated when the Lord mortally strikes down Nabal. David’s restraint and reliance on God’s intervention are fitting for one who will rule Israel. Once more David stands in contrast to Saul, who is obsessed with getting revenge on his enemies (14:24; 18:25), has been on a mission to take an innocent life (David’s; cf. 1 Sam. 19:5), and has already killed the innocent priests of Nob and their families (1 Sam. 22). The voice of wisdom, embodied in Abigail (25:3, 33), reiterates what Saul himself has confessed (24:16–21): David is destined to be king. Only a fool (like Nabal—and Saul?) would resist God’s purposes.”
Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.
Theological Insights
“Nabal the fool and wise Abigail represent two contrasting responses to David—rejection (25:10–11) and submission (vv. 23–25, 42)—as well as two different destinies based on their responses. Nabal ends up dead, while Abigail ends up joining the royal court (vv. 38, 42). As such, they are, on the one hand, a reminder of how the covenant community should respond to God’s chosen king, David, and, on the other hand, a warning of what will happen to those who reject his king. Obviously this reminder and warning will be of the utmost importance in the time of David, as he tries to solidify his reign. Yet the message is also significant to the exiles as they consider the future of the covenant community and the role of the ancient Davidic dynasty in that community.”
“The theme of divine justice continues to be prominent in the account of David and Nabal. As in the case of Saul (see 24:15), David decides to leave his vindication in God’s hands rather than seeking his own justice. Because David listens to Abigail’s wise advice and waits for God to resolve his grievances against Nabal, the Lord does indeed vindicate him when he judges Nabal (25:39) and then gives Nabal’s wife to David. Like the incident recorded in chapter 24, this episode encourages the exilic readers of the story, for it is another reminder that God does indeed vindicate his oppressed people when they turn to him for justice.”
Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.
“Chapter 25 must be seen in its larger context, alongside chapter 24. Anyone reading the narrative straight through should note the contrast. In chapter 24 David is the restrainer; he will not harm Saul himself or permit his men to do so. But in chapter 25 David must be restrained; he is bent on spilling Nabal’s blood and that of his men because of Nabal’s affront. He refuses to harm the anointed king but is most willing to liquidate a private Israelite. He sees clearly that he must not take personal vengeance against Yahweh’s anointed (24:6) but does not make the same connection when it comes to Abigail’s husband (25:13, 21–22). Abigail must instruct David here: to slaughter Nabal and his household would be shedding blood without cause (v. 31). In fact, Abigail’s words in verses 30–31 suggest that David’s vendetta would be both wrong and foolish, against both precept and policy. Yahweh, she assures him, will certainly bring David into the kingship (vv. 28, 30), but he must leave that matter in Yahweh’s hands; he must not allow either a murderous Saul or an obnoxious Nabal to throw him off course. He must not mar God’s work with his own folly. David must extend the restraint he showed to Saul to Nabal as well; such is the writer’s point.”
Excerpt From: Dale Ralph Davis. “1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart.” Apple Books.
Storyline 1 Samuel 25 (ESV)
1 Now Samuel died…Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. 2 And there was a man in Maon… was very rich. 3 Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite. 4 David heard…sent ten young men.
10 And Nabal answered David's servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? 14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife… 18 Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys… David and his men came down toward her. 21 Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good. 22 God do so to the enemies of David and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him.”
23 When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground…25 Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him… 26 Now then, my lord, as the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, because the LORD has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be as Nabal. …And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.”
32 And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! …35 Then David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. 37 In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. 38 And about ten days later the LORD struck Nabal, and he died.
39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed be the LORD who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife.
The Text in Context
“Chapter 24 ends with David’s being vindicated as Saul acknowledged David’s innocence, pronounced a blessing upon him, and assured him that he would someday be the king of Israel. However, he did not invite David to return to the royal court; Saul and David went their separate ways (v. 22). As we move to chapter 25, Saul remains backstage for a brief time as the narrator focuses on David’s dealings with the wealthy but foolish Nabal, and his wise wife, Abigail. In chapter 24 David refused to take vengeance into his own hands; instead, he appealed to God for vindication. In chapter 25 this theme of vengeance emerges again. Nabal insults David, prompting David to seek vengeance against him. But wise Abigail intervenes and very diplomatically warns David that such a deed would be unworthy of Israel’s future king. David recognizes her as God’s messenger and praises the Lord for keeping him from doing something unwise. David instead waits on the Lord and is vindicated when the Lord mortally strikes down Nabal. David’s restraint and reliance on God’s intervention are fitting for one who will rule Israel. Once more David stands in contrast to Saul, who is obsessed with getting revenge on his enemies (14:24; 18:25), has been on a mission to take an innocent life (David’s; cf. 1 Sam. 19:5), and has already killed the innocent priests of Nob and their families (1 Sam. 22). The voice of wisdom, embodied in Abigail (25:3, 33), reiterates what Saul himself has confessed (24:16–21): David is destined to be king. Only a fool (like Nabal—and Saul?) would resist God’s purposes.”
Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.
Theological Insights
“Nabal the fool and wise Abigail represent two contrasting responses to David—rejection (25:10–11) and submission (vv. 23–25, 42)—as well as two different destinies based on their responses. Nabal ends up dead, while Abigail ends up joining the royal court (vv. 38, 42). As such, they are, on the one hand, a reminder of how the covenant community should respond to God’s chosen king, David, and, on the other hand, a warning of what will happen to those who reject his king. Obviously this reminder and warning will be of the utmost importance in the time of David, as he tries to solidify his reign. Yet the message is also significant to the exiles as they consider the future of the covenant community and the role of the ancient Davidic dynasty in that community.”
“The theme of divine justice continues to be prominent in the account of David and Nabal. As in the case of Saul (see 24:15), David decides to leave his vindication in God’s hands rather than seeking his own justice. Because David listens to Abigail’s wise advice and waits for God to resolve his grievances against Nabal, the Lord does indeed vindicate him when he judges Nabal (25:39) and then gives Nabal’s wife to David. Like the incident recorded in chapter 24, this episode encourages the exilic readers of the story, for it is another reminder that God does indeed vindicate his oppressed people when they turn to him for justice.”
Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.
“Chapter 25 must be seen in its larger context, alongside chapter 24. Anyone reading the narrative straight through should note the contrast. In chapter 24 David is the restrainer; he will not harm Saul himself or permit his men to do so. But in chapter 25 David must be restrained; he is bent on spilling Nabal’s blood and that of his men because of Nabal’s affront. He refuses to harm the anointed king but is most willing to liquidate a private Israelite. He sees clearly that he must not take personal vengeance against Yahweh’s anointed (24:6) but does not make the same connection when it comes to Abigail’s husband (25:13, 21–22). Abigail must instruct David here: to slaughter Nabal and his household would be shedding blood without cause (v. 31). In fact, Abigail’s words in verses 30–31 suggest that David’s vendetta would be both wrong and foolish, against both precept and policy. Yahweh, she assures him, will certainly bring David into the kingship (vv. 28, 30), but he must leave that matter in Yahweh’s hands; he must not allow either a murderous Saul or an obnoxious Nabal to throw him off course. He must not mar God’s work with his own folly. David must extend the restraint he showed to Saul to Nabal as well; such is the writer’s point.”
Excerpt From: Dale Ralph Davis. “1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart.” Apple Books.
Listen to past Sermons anytime, anywhere with Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/show/1PtjmWN3kTOagTfG1QPnbT?si=f76ab3059e7049beStudy & Reflection Guide
1. Looking back to chapter 24, how would you compare David’s non-retaliation to his reaction to Nabal in chapter 25?
2. In an honor-shame culture, would you say David is justified to kill him? How does this echo the Cain-Abel story?
3. What do you think of Jesus’ teaching on non-retaliation? (Matthew 5:38-48)
4. How do you see the character and actions of Abigail reflect the wife of Proverbs 31:10-31?
5. How does the story demonstrate that the real battle is the Lord’s and God avenges based on what happened to Nabal? Can you cite events in your life where you can confidently say, God has executed justice on your behalf?
Prayer
1. Pray for everyone in the group.
2. Pray for wisdom and restraint when we are faced with a situation, pray for compassion and trust that God will be our avenger.
1. Looking back to chapter 24, how would you compare David’s non-retaliation to his reaction to Nabal in chapter 25?
2. In an honor-shame culture, would you say David is justified to kill him? How does this echo the Cain-Abel story?
3. What do you think of Jesus’ teaching on non-retaliation? (Matthew 5:38-48)
4. How do you see the character and actions of Abigail reflect the wife of Proverbs 31:10-31?
5. How does the story demonstrate that the real battle is the Lord’s and God avenges based on what happened to Nabal? Can you cite events in your life where you can confidently say, God has executed justice on your behalf?
Prayer
1. Pray for everyone in the group.
2. Pray for wisdom and restraint when we are faced with a situation, pray for compassion and trust that God will be our avenger.