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“David, Nabal, and Abigail”

1 Samuel 25

Think about it: Great men of God are not men who never blow it, but are men who are willing to admit their fault when they do.

I. Samuel died (1).

II. Nabal almost tripped up David (2-38).

A. Nabal offended David's men (4-11).

1. Who was Nabal? (2-3)

2. How did Nabal offend David's men? (10-11)

B. David resolved to take vengeance (12-13).

1. Did he get all the facts?

2. Did he view the situation from God's perspective?

C. Abigail got involved (14-31).

1. Abigail discovers more details about ...(14-16)

The crime

David's men

Her husband's reputation

2. Abigail took action to appease David (18-31).

Taking the blame herself (24)

Using appropriate words (24-25)

Using appropriate deeds (27)

Requesting forgiveness (28)

Reminding David of God's promise (29)

Giving David godly counsel (31)

D. David responded to Abigail (32-35).

1. He blessed God (32).

2. He blessed Abigail (33).

3. He admitted his wrong, changed his plan (33-34).

4. He received the gift (35).

E. God dealt with Nabal (36-38).

F. David responded to God's intervention (39).

1. He praised God for dealing with Nabal.

2. He praised God for keeping him from

committing sin.

G. David asked Abigail to marry him (39-40).

1. He asked through his servants.

2. She accepted (41-42).

3. David had other wives (43-44).

Lessons:

1. God enables His people to overcome the "warts" in their lives.

2. Great men of God are not men who never blow it, but are men who are willing to admit their fault when they do.

3. Just because we won yesterday's battles is no guarantee we will win today's. If we are to win, we must choose to rely on God today just like we did yesterday.