1 Samuel 25:2-3 FOOL

 ”Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb.“ I Samuel‬ ‭25‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. And the man was very rich: The first thing we learn about this man is where he lived (Maon, with his business in Carmel), and that he was a very rich man (three thousand sheep and a thousand goats).

i. There are four kinds of riches. There are riches in what you have, riches in what you do, riches in what you know, and riches in what you are – riches of character. Nabal was a very rich man, but only rich in what he had. He had the lowest kind of riches.

b. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel: This was the “harvest time” for a sheep rancher. Because it was a season of ingathering, sheep shearing was a time of lavish hospitality towards others.

i. “Sheep-shearing was traditionally celebrated by feasting, with enough and to spare.” (Baldwin)

c. The name of the man was Nabal: This is another indication of his low character because the name Nabal means fool. In ancient Israel names were often connected with a person’s character. We don’t know if Nabal was given this name, or he earned it, but he certainly lived up to it.

i. The fact that he was of the house of Caleb may also be an unflattering description of Nabal because Caleb means dog, and to be of the house ofa dog was no compliment. “As the word calebsignifies a dog, the Septuagint have understood it as implying a man of a canine disposition, and translate it thus…he was a doggish man. It is understood in the same way by the Syriac and Arabic.” (Clarke)

d. Abigail…. a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance: Nabal’s wife was both beautiful and wise, in contrast to Nabal himself. The Bible gives Abigail great praise when it says she was of beautiful appearance, because the only other women who have this Hebrew phrase applied to them are Rachel (Genesis 29:17) and Esther (Esther 2:7).

i. How did a woman like this ever get matched up with a man like Nabal? We can understand it in that day of arranged marriages. But there are many Abigails today who are in that place not because the marriage was arranged but because they chose it. “It is remarkable how many Abigails get married to Nabals. God-fearing women, tender and gentle in the sensibilities, high-minded and noble in their ideals, become tied in an indissoluble union with men for whom they can have no true affinity, even if they have not an unconquerable repugnance.” (Meyer)

ii. “May I say to you lovingly, but firmly, if such a circumstance has befallen you, that is no reason for you to invoke the law of the country to get out of the entanglement. Perhaps God knew that you needed the fiery trial to humble you and make you a testimony to your partner. The Bible says you must stay as you are. Maybe there will come to you one day, as there came to Abigail, a new opportunity; but until then, it is for you to prove the grace and power of the Lord in your heart to strengthen you and keep you pure.” (Redpath)

(Guzik)

Fool

Nabal, fool from the house of a dog will seem very fitting as we advance through this chapter. But haven’t we all acted like a fool at one time or another in our lifetime?

I know I have! Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ who redeemed me with His sacrifice!

”Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.“ ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

It’s one thing to be a fool but it’s another thing to be written about as fool for all generations to read about!

The Bible has a lot of say about fools which would make an interesting study!

Have you ever acted like a fool?

Blessings 

1 Samuel 25:1 Dash!

 ”Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him at his home in Ramah. And David arose and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.“ ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭25‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Then Samuel died: This great man who was dedicated to the LORD and served Him from his youngest days, was now dead. As godly as he was, it did not save him from an earthly death because he was still a descendant of Adam. But God’s work in Israel did not end when Samuel died. God’s work never is dependent on only one man.

i. If it is written then Samuel died, it is also written and David arose. God’s work may begin with a man, but it never ends with one man. God continues and sustains His work as He pleases.

b. The Israelites gathered together and lamented for him: Samuel seemed to be unappreciated by Israel during his life (1 Samuel 8:1-7) but at least he was honored in his death.

i. Samuel’s heritage lived on in a remarkable way. 1 Chronicles 9:22 suggests he organized the Levites in the service of the sanctuary which was completed by David and Solomon. 1 Chronicles 26:27-28 says Samuel began collecting treasures for building the temple in Solomon’s day. 2 Chronicles 35:18 reports that Samuel remembered the Passover and kept Israel in remembrance of God’s great deliverance. Psalm 99:6 and Jeremiah 15:1 commemorate Samuel as a man of great intercession. Hebrews 11:32 puts Samuel among God’s “Heroes of Faith.” (Guzik)

Dash!

Then ______ died.

The “dash” on your tombstone represents the life we lived between our start date and our end date.

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” (Marker Twain)

The Dash – By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars… the house… the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.

To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?

Paul said:

”For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.“

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬-‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Your “dash” matters!

Are you living your “dash” as an adopted child of God?

Blessings 

https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/romans-8-23

1 Samuel 24:20-22 True Repentance

 ”And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Therefore swear now to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father’s house.” So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.“ ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. I know indeed that you shall surely be king: Saul knew it all along (1 Samuel 23:17) but now he really knows it.

b. Therefore swear to me now by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants after me: Saul simply wanted the same kind of promise from David that he made to Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20:13-16. In that day, when one royal house replaced another it was common for the new royal house to kill all the potential rulers from the old royal house. Saul knew that one day, David and his descendants would rule over Israel, and he wants David to promise that David and his descendants will not kill or mistreat the descendants of Saul.

i. “How then could David destroy so many of Saul’s sons, 2 Samuel 21:8-9? David could bind himself by his oaths, but he could not bind God, to whose good pleasure all promises, vows, and oaths must in all reason be submitted; and that was done by God’s command, and God was well pleased with it, 2 Samuel 21:14.” (Poole)

c. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold: David didn’t go back home with Saul to be restored to his home and his place at the palace because David knew that as much as Saul meant it at the moment, the struggle would be to remain in the place of victory.

i. Many times, a person repents and claims to recognize their sinful ways just like Saul did. But the validity of repentance and a changed heart isn’t demonstrated by the emotion or sincerity of a moment. It is demonstrated by the ongoing direction of one’s life and David had every right to say, “I’m going to stay in the stronghold until I see the direction of Saul’s life.”

ii. “What a miserable picture Saul is! What is the use of saying, ‘I have played the fool,’ if he goes on playing the fool? What use are his tears and confession before David if he doesn’t act upon his remorse?” (Redpath)

iii. In fact, it is worse to have this kind of emotional response if it doesn’t result in true repentance. “If a man is emotionally upset, as Saul was, and awakens to his condition, but only weeps about it and still doesn’t obey God, his second state is a thousand times worse than the first. Emotion that does not lead to action only leads deeper into sin and rebellion.” (Redpath)

(Guzik)

True Repentance 

I’ve heard several of our pastors preach, just because you attend our church doesn’t mean you are saved and will go to heaven. 

There must be true repentance from your heart, ❤️ your soul. 

I have heard it said when you go to heaven you will see people there that you didn’t expect to see there and some people you expected to be there won’t.

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

”Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’“ ‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Are you born again?

Blessings 

1 Samuel 24:16-19 Change of Heart! ❤️

 ”So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. Then he said to David: “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.“ I Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Is this your voice, my son David? Saul responded so emotionally because Saul lived on the delusion that David was out to get him, and David’s refusal to kill Saul when he had the chance proved beyond doubt that this was false. David’s obedience to God and his love to Saul made all the difference in softening Saul’s heart.

b. You are more righteous than I…. you have dealt well with me…you did not kill me…. the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day: This was a dramatic change of heart in Saul. Every change David could have hoped for in Saul had happened, and Saul really seemed sincere about it (Saul lifted up his voice and wept). David heaped coals of kindness upon Saul’s head and it melted Saul’s heart.

Change of Heart! ❤️ 

Salvation is a free gift that we can’t earn by doing works and only happens if we have a change of heart and recognize our sinful condition. For the Bible says:

”For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.“ ‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Years ago after pastor Robert finished preaching he performed an alter call. It was at that moment I had a change of heart and was overcome with godly sorrow which prompted repentance and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

The Potter has been molding and shaping my heart ❤️ since that day!

Life is short and the other day we heard the news that a neighbor passed away after battling an illness. He was 58 years old.

We don’t know what tomorrow will bring and I implore you if you haven’t already to have a change of heart.

Have you had your godly sorrow moment that produced repentance leading to salvation?

Blessings 

1 Samuel 24:9-15 Trusted in God

 ”And David said to Saul: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Indeed David seeks your harm’? Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my Lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it. Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand shall not be against you. After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea? Therefore let the Lord be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand.”“ I Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭9‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Why do you listen to the words of men: David showed great kindness and tact to Saul. David knew very well that Saul’s fear of David came from Saul himself and not from anyone else. But David put the blame on nameless others so that it was easier for Saul to say, “They were wrong” instead of “I was wrong.” Even in confrontation, David covers Saul’s sin.

i. “He prudently and modestly translates the fault from Saul to his followers and evil counsellors.” (Poole)

ii. Some might have said, “David, lay it on the line! Tell it like it is!” and David will, to some extent. But even as he does he will show mercy and kindness to Saul. David will fulfill Proverbs 10:12: Love covers all sins, and 1 Peter 4:8: Love will cover a multitude of sins.

b. I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed: This principle of not striking out against God’s anointed leaders is good and important but sometimes has been misused.

i. The phrase touch not the Lord’s anointed is in vogue among some Christians and among many leaders. Often to them it means: “You should never speak against a pastor or a leader. He is above your criticism or rebuke, so just keep quiet.” Sometimes it is used even to prevent a Biblical evaluation of teaching. But when David recognized that Saul was the LORD’s anointed and refused to harm him, what David would not do is kill Saul. He did humbly confront Saul with his sin, hoping Saul would change his heart. But it is entirely wrong for people to use the idea of touch not the Lord’s anointed to insulate a leader from all evaluation or accountability.

c. See the corner of your robe in my hand! This was proof that David had full opportunity to kill Saul but did not take that opportunity. As David showed Saul the corner of his robe, Saul must have heard the Spirit of God speaking loudly in his heart.

i. Through this cut robe, God sent a message to Saul. The robe was a picture of Saul’s royal authority, and through this God said, “I am cutting away your royal authority.”

ii. In 1 Samuel 15:27-28 the prophet Samuel rebuked Saul for his hard-hearted disobedience to God. In his distress, Saul tried to keep Samuel from leaving, and grabbed his robe, and a portion of the prophet’s robe tore away. When Saul was left holding the torn piece of Samuel’s robe, Samuel said to him: The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. Now, when David confronts Saul with the torn robe, Saul must have been reminded of this incident, and God’s message to him was loud and clear.

d. Let the LORD judge between you and me: David didn’t need to do anything more to defend himself before Saul; he referred the matter to the LORD. David would let God plead his case and be his judge. David didn’t just say, “My hand shall not be against you,” he proved it by not killing Saul when he had the opportunity.

i. The Living Bible gives a good sense of 1 Samuel 24:12: Perhaps he will kill you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you. In fact, David protected Saul by restraining his men.

ii. It was inevitable that Saul would be judged, and that he would lose the throne. But it was absolutely God’s business to accomplish that and it was the business of no one else. Jesus established the same principle in Matthew 18:7 when He said, offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! God’s judgment is God’s business. We put ourselves in a bad place when we make ourselves instruments of God’s judgment.

e. Wickedness proceeds from the wicked: David used this proverb to make a point. “Saul, if I was really as wicked as your advisors say I am, if I really was out to kill you, I would have done that wicked act in the cave. Because no wickedness proceeded from me when I had the opportunity, it shows my heart is not wicked towards you.”

f. Therefore let the LORD be judge…and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand: David told Saul, “I’m still trusting God, that He will deliver me out of your hand.” Instead of finding a way out of his trial in the flesh, David did the harder thing – he trusted in God to deliver him instead of trusting in himself. (Guzik)

Trusted in God

“Instead of finding a way out of his trial in the flesh, David did the harder thing – he trusted in God to deliver him instead of trusting in himself.” (Guzik)

Life is hard because we live in a sinful world where men trust in themselves instead of trusting in God. 

If Jesus is the King of peace, then why do we murder men in our hearts?

We will have a trial in the flesh until the day we die, but we will do well to do the harder thing like David, “trusted in God to deliver him instead of trusting in himself”.

Do you trust in God?

Blessings 

1 Samuel 24:8 Bowed Down!

 David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down. 1 Samuel 24:8

a. David…went out of the cave: David took a big chance here because he could simply have remained in hiding, secure in the fact that Saul had not found him. But he surrendered himself to Saul because he saw the opportunity to show Saul his heart towards him and be reconciled.

b. My lord the king…David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down: This was a great demonstration of submission to Saul. We might think that David had the right to come to Saul as an equal. “Well Saul, we’ve both been anointed to be king. You’ve got the throne right now, but I’ll have it someday and you know it. So from one anointed man to another, look at how I just spared your life.” That wasn’t David’s attitude at all. Instead he said: “Saul, you are the boss and I know it. I respect your place as my leader and as my king.”

i. When David stooped with his face to the earth and bowed down he also showed great trust in God because he made himself completely vulnerable to Saul. Saul could have killed him very easily at that moment, but David trusted that if he did what was right before God then God would protect him and fulfill the promise.

Bowed Down

I’m reminded of a verse: 

Before Gods Judgment Seat!

”It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.”“

‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭11‬ ‭BSB‬‬

Are you prepared for that day?

Blessings