Go to your Bibles and read the Book of 1 Samuel Chapters 24 and 25, then follow the study guide below. 24:4-6. David, rather than seizing the hem of the king’s robe (cf. the note at 15:27, 28) cut it off, usually a mark of insubordination. However, David probably intended it as a sign of his loyalty; he had refused the opportunity to slay the king (cf. vv. 10-12). Yet, because Saul was the properly constituted authority in Israel (v. 8), to touch the king’s robe was to touch the king; hence, David was conscience-stricken. 24:14. Dead dog was often used in the ancient Near East as a symbol of self-abasement (cf. 2 Sam. 9:8) or contempt (cf. 2 Sam. 16:9). 24:16-22. Although Saul recognized the inevitability of David’s kingship, and entered into a covenant with David concerning the treatment of Saul’s family, Saul nevertheless resumed his persecution of David later (cf. ch. 26). 25:2. This Carmel lay south of Hebron. 25:14. Nabal not only refused to acknowledge David’s requests (vv. 10, 11) for compensation for guarding his flocks (vv. 15, 16, 21), but threw out insults at David’s messengers. Whatever his name was originally intended to signify, his actions betray the character of the name: Nabal means “Foolish.” The word is used of a person who is devoid of spiritual sensitivity or ethical standards (cf. v. 25). He was, as his servant recognized, a “son of Belial” (v. 17). For this latter term, see the note on Judges 19:22. 25:30-32. Abigail sensed the politically tragic results of her wicked husband’s foolish actions. She was also sensitive to the Lord’s good intentions for David and therefore submits herself to the Lord’s appointed ruler (cf. v. 41). 25:37, 38. Nabal apparently suffered a stroke, to which he subsequently succumbed. 25:39-44. Because David recognized that Abigail was a godly and wise woman (cf. vv. 32-34), and because a marriage to a prominent Calebite would be advantageous to his future position as king in Judah, David took Abigail as wife soon after Nabal’s death. Significantly, David would first become king of Judah at Hebron (cf. 2 Sam. 2:1-7). Despite its political expediency, David’s polygamous marriages (vv. 42, 43) are not commended by the Scriptures. Yours in Jesus Christ,
Posted on: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 15:24:39 +0000
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