April 3

April 3

1 Samuel 25–27

Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 25:1–27:12

Series: Read the Bible in a Year

Samuel dies and all Israel mourns for him. This is an immense show of respect for the prophet and judge, and for his office. The people show their appreciation for what Samuel has done for the nation, and for what God has done for them through the ministry of the prophetic office. Samuel is the last judge; the new role of king is firmly established now. Perhaps the people wonder at Samuel’s passing if they have asked for a good thing by demanding a king over Israel. 

So, after one line on Samuel’s death, the narrative shifts from Saul, through Samuel, to David. He is still an itinerant king, reigning in the wilderness. And though he is not seated on a throne, he is truly doing a king’s business. He is protecting his people. In the example before us, David and his men are protecting the shepherds of one Nabal, whose name means “fool.” From that, we know generally where the story is headed. Indeed, when David sends some of his men to ask for provisions, Nabal treats him with contempt. David takes two-thirds of his armed men to confront the “nabal.” Nabal’s wife, Abigail, uses better discretion and takes provisions to David and his men, meeting them on their journey to a clash with her husband whom she admits to David is a “worthless fellow” (1 Samuel 25:25). Her prudence turns back David’s ire. When Abigail informs her husband of the events that took place while he was busy partying, the shock of hearing of what would have been his violent death induces a heart attack, and Nabal dies. David then, perhaps as a further act of protection, takes Abigail as another wife. 

This is no palace life for Abigail as her new husband remains in the wilderness, where he continues to be hunted by Saul, and continues to spare Saul’s life. It is up to the Lord to judge his anointed; it is not David’s task, no matter how convenient (1 Samuel 26:10). David’s discrimination is always rewarded by temporary contrition by Saul, followed soon enough by further aggression. So, David escapes again to Philistia where Saul will not pursue him. While living there, David continues the affairs of Israel’s king by protecting the borderlands of both Israel and Philistia from nomadic raiders. Having left no one alive to tell the tale to Achish, David informs the king that he had raided Israel. Achish muses that David can be no kingly threat to him now because he is an offense to Israel. But the opposite is the case; Israel’s borders are safer now and they know who to thank.   

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