ABIGAIL, NABAL AND DAVID

I Samuel 25

July 29, 2007

Rochelle A. Stackhouse

First there was NABAL:

It’s the principle of the thing. I mean this fellow David is really not a good man. He rose up against God’s anointed king, Saul. I mean, Saul made this guy, really, and then David sought all the glory because of his supposed great skill as a warrior. Give me a break. Saul banished him because he was so arrogant. Now he comes to my property on a feast day and says that because he didn’t hurt any of my sheep shearers when they were out on the property of our town I should give him part of our feast! Did he work for any of this food? Did he sweat alongside servants in the hot sun to slaughter the lambs? Did he grow the vegetables in this waterless land? Did he harvest the olives? NO! This is MY food on MY land and he doesn’t deserve any of it. Who does he think he is coming here where he does not belong and presuming on my hospitality, and not just for him, but for his whole army and the women and children that tag along after them! I don’t care how nice he was to the shearers; he’s not getting one bite from my household! It’s the principle of the thing!

Then there was DAVID:

It’s the principle of the thing! I came to this wilderness and helped Nabal’s shearer’s protect their flocks, and themselves for that matter. My men didn’t act like some armies do, coming in and grabbing whatever they want. Why, we were security for these shepherds; I was a shepherd and I know how important that work is! And when I sent a message for him, to ask for some share in the feast, I knew his was a prosperous house that he could afford to share. I didn’t go to the poor shepherds and take their only meal. This guy is so arrogant; he thinks that because he has all this land under his control that makes him king of the world! Let’s see how arrogant he is with a hundred swords at his throat! Let’s see how arrogant he is when this fine house is burned and his slaves and children lay dead at his feet. Let’s teach him a lesson! It’s the principle of the thing!!

Finally, ABIGAIL:

I’m not so sure about the principle of the thing. Nabal’s right; we didn’t invite David here and didn’t hire him to protect our sheep. We owe him nothing. On the other hand, David’s right. Nabal is arrogant. One of the central values of our people has always been hospitality for the stranger. Even if that stranger comes with an army of four hundred men!

I have no power in this situation, no right at all to act or decide for us, and I am not completely sure what is “right.”

But this is what I know. If Nabal sticks to his principles and David sticks to his, then my sons and many of my servants will be killed. Many will suffer and die for these principles. Nabal and David may be willing to sacrifice these lives to pain and death, but I am not. Because I have principles, too. No one will remember the names of these servants and foot soldiers who would die, but I know God made each one of them. Their lives are more valuable than this food. And I have such a storehouse of food here that even if we feed each of those servants and foot soldiers we will have enough and to spare. Perhaps that is why God sent David to us?

Nabal is afraid of anyone taking what he thinks is his, afraid then that he will have less for himself. David is afraid of anyone who thinks they are as powerful as he is, afraid that if he doesn’t teach Nabal a lesson, then his power will be diminished.

They are both wrong.

God willing, there is another way. Though both men may think me weak, though I, too, am afraid, I will stop this slaughter before it begins. I will take food to David and urge him to see another principle than vengeance. I will save Nabal’s household without touching a sword even though his principles would condemn us all to suffering and to death.

Because I have principles, too.

Amen.