Letters to the Family of God
by Joe Franzone | February 2, 2023 | Pastor's Blog
February 2, 2023
A certain man in Moan, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail.
I am always picking up after you boys.
The mythical character Black Widow from Marvel’s,
Age of Ultron Movie
Dear Friends.
Last night in our Men’s Bible Study, we worked through 1 Samuel 25—the story of Nabal, David, and Abigail. It was a beautiful night, and I wanted to share some of it with you.
The Cast
Nabal was the husband of Abigail. Nabal was a very wealthy man. He was rich in livestock but poor in character. He is described in 1 Samuel 25:3 as harsh and badly behaved, and his offhand manner left his wife and household to face the wrath of 400 warriors.
David was God’s chosen king who had yet to take his throne. David was given God’s Spirit in a way unique to that time. God was incredibly gracious to David. This story is one more way it is revealed.
Abigail, the only woman in the Hebrew Bible described as intelligent and beautiful, was married to Nabal. In the story, she is an expression of God’s grace to David and Nabal as she goes on a rescue mission to rescue her husband, David, and the lives of many other men.
Consequently, in Abigail, we find something much more than a good woman who behaves wisely. We find a foretaste of the wise Mediator, our Lord Jesus Christ, who puts Himself forward to face the wrath of God on behalf of foolish sinners like me.
The Story
The high points of the story are as follows.
David, following a middle eastern custom, asked for a bit of food and drink for his men from the very wealthy Nabal during a festive time. Previously David’s men were;
...very good to us (Nabal’s servants). They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. (Vs.15)
Therefore, at no cost to Nabal, David's men, in a sense, stood guard over Nabal's livestock. Yet, he, a picture of human greed, is exactly that of a greedy scrooge who refuses the request of David.
David, another picture of fallen humanity, loses his temper and sounds the alarm. Suit up, everyone. Nabal and his men are as good as dead.
At this point, Abigail wisely and graciously steps in and rescues both men. First, she covers over Nabal’s sin by swiftly bringing plenty of food and drinks to David’s men. (A speed at which I very much appreciated.) Then she bears all of Nabal’s guilt on herself (Vs.24) to save their household from David’s wrath. Nabal did not deserve this. A perfect picture of grace.
Because of Abigail’s wise and gracious actions, David’s heart went from rage to worship, from vengeance to acknowledgment of God’s grace to him. Therefore, he praises God (Vs.32), David, said to Abigail, Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me.
He also pronounced a blessing over Abigail: Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! (Vs.32,33), May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.
The Gospel
The gospel is hard to miss, isn’t it? Abigail, like Christ, covers over her husband's sin. She, like Christ, takes on his guilt. She, like Christ, pays what was owed. She, like Christ, causes others to praise God. She, like Christ, saves the lives of many others. She, like Christ, puts herself forward as a willing sacrifice. She, like Christ, causes others not to sin.
Yes, Abigail is a model of wisdom and winsomeness. Her swaying ability to reach the heart of an angry David seeking vengeance was brilliant. But, more importantly, she is a foretaste of Christ. She is pointing forward to what is needed. A wise Mediator who speedily moves forward to face wrath on behalf of foolish sinners, who will lay down His life to save people from sin, who will help us in holiness and cause us to give praise to God.
Abigail’s mediation kept David from reacting harshly as Nabal did. David turned back and left any vengeance needed to the judgment of God and not mere men. Abigail saved two men, and a host of others that day, and she was pointing forward to a third—our Lord Jesus Christ. If she was here, I am certain she would tell us, don't look to me, look to Him.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Praise God for His Son. Praise God for the Gospel.
What good I’ve done could never save,
My debt too great for deeds to pay.
But God, my Savior, made a way,
Hallelujah for the Cross!
A slave to sin my life was bound,
But all my chains fell to the ground
When Jesus’ blood came flowing down.
Hallelujah for the Cross!
Hallelujah for the Cross—Verse Two
With all my love in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Joe