The Cost of "My", "Me" and "I" and the Wisdom of Selflessness and a Prophetic Message for Us Today!

The story of Nabal and Abigail in 1 Samuel 25 offers an important lesson on the dangers of selfishness and the power of selflessness. Nabal, a wealthy landowner, embodies the destructive nature of prioritizing "my" over "we."

David, the future King, was asking Nabal for help with provisions and hospitality. He had provided protection for Nabal's shepherds and flocks while they were in the wilderness, and in return, he requested some provisions for his men.

Nabals response to David's messengers in 1 Samuel 25:11 perfectly exemplifies this:

“Who is this David? (David is still on the run from King Saul, who is pursuing him out of jealousy.) Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. Why should I take my bread and my water, and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?”

Nabal's string of "my" exposes his self-centeredness. He refuses to share his bounty with David's men, who had protected Nabal's shepherds, because he sees everything as belonging solely to him. This attitude stands in stark contrast to the life God calls us to live; Kingdom Living!

A Call to Die to Self

Throughout scripture, we find a consistent message: true life comes from dying to self and living for others. Jesus himself said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). This doesn't mean neglecting our needs entirely, but it does mean prioritizing the needs of others and recognizing that everything we have ultimately comes from God.

In Romans 12:1, Paul instructs us to:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s immense mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Nabal's refusal to share is a failure to offer a sacrifice, a failure to put the needs of others before his own. It is ultimately a worship of one's self.

How does David respond?

In 1 Samuel 25, after David's men are denied assistance by Nabal, David becomes enraged and decides to take matters into his own hands. He gathers his men and sets out to destroy Nabal and all that belongs to him. David's response is driven by anger and a sense of betrayal, as he feels that Nabal has treated him unjustly despite his previous kindness towards Nabal's possessions.

David's intention to seek vengeance against Nabal and his household reflects a moment of weakness and impulsiveness on his part. Instead of trusting in God's sovereignty and seeking His guidance in the situation, David allows his emotions to dictate his actions. (Once, David relinquishes control and vengeance, God absolutely deal with Nabal harshly- keep reading)

However, before David can carry out his plan, Abigail, Nabal's wife, intervenes and confronts David. She demonstrates wisdom and humility as she acknowledges David's grievances and pleads for mercy on behalf of her foolish husband. Abigail's actions prevent David from committing a grave mistake and help to avert bloodshed.

In response to Abigail's intervention, David recognizes the error of his ways and acknowledges God's providence in sending Abigail to prevent him from acting rashly. He praises Abigail for her discernment and wisdom, and he relents from carrying out his plan of vengeance. David accepts Abigail's gifts as a token of reconciliation and blessing, demonstrating a moment of humility and repentance.

What happens to Nabal and Abigail?

 In 1 Samuel 25:38-39 it says, "About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died. When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, 'Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.' Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife."

This passage highlights how God intervened in the situation, bringing justice to Nabal for his actions toward David and preventing David from taking matters into his own hands.

The story of Nabal and Abigail is a powerful reminder that selfishness only leads to destruction. In contrast, living a life that prioritizes the needs of others, a life that reflects God's love, brings blessings. We are called to be like Abigail, using wisdom and compassion to navigate difficult situations and extend God's love to the world around us. But there is more to this story, prophetically:

PROPHETICALLY:

In the story of Nabal, David, and Abigail, we find a powerful allegory that mirrors the mission and purpose of both Jesus Christ and the Church.

David, representing Jesus, demonstrates mercy and grace despite being wronged, while Nabal symbolizes humanity in its fallen state—selfish, prideful, wicked and deserving of judgment. Abigail, on the other hand, embodies both the Church and the wisdom of Christ.

As the Church, Abigail intercedes for the lost and broken, offering prayers and guidance for reconciliation and salvation. She exemplifies the Church's role in providing wisdom and discernment amidst conflict, and she works tirelessly for reconciliation and peace, just as the Church seeks to reconcile individuals to God and to one another through the Gospel.

Moreover, Abigail's sacrificial love mirrors the Church's call to serve others selflessly, meeting both their spiritual and physical needs with wisdom, discernment, compassion and love. 

Abigail's actions of intercession, wisdom, and sacrificial love reflect the qualities that Jesus cherishes in His bride, the Church. Just as Abigail stands as a mediator between David and Nabal, the Church serves as a mediator between God and humanity, offering prayers and intercession for reconciliation and salvation.

Abigail's readiness to sacrifice for the sake of others mirrors the Church's call to sacrificially serve and love, imitating the example set by Jesus Himself.

Moreover, the concept of marriage is deeply symbolic in Christianity, representing the intimate relationship between Christ and His Church. As Abigail is sought after by David to become his wife, so too does Jesus eagerly anticipate the ultimate union with His bride, the Church, when He returns in glory. This portrayal highlights the profound love and longing that Jesus has for His people, whom He will gather to Himself for all eternity.

Thus, by viewing Abigail as a representation of the Church, we see a beautiful parallel to the relationship between Jesus and His beloved bride, the Church, whom He eagerly awaits to unite with Himself in perfect love and harmony.

If you are a Christian then YOU are the BRIDE of CHRIST! He is coming back for us- We can ALL DO BETTER! Let's do better!

Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2024. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source. Artwork included.