Reading for March 30th

 Read 1 Samuel 25.1-22. In 25.1-43: Nabal and Abigail. The placement of this story between the two accounts of David's chances to kill Saul (chs. 24 and 26) is significant. While David avoids shedding Saul's blood, he is almost guilty of killing many innocent people in Nabal's household. In verses 2-3: Nabal is like Saul in many ways. He is "rich as a kin" and and was probably an important figure, perhaps the chieftain, among the Celebites, one of the leading clans of Judah. The name Nabal means "fool" or "brute." It was probably not the man's real name but represents his character. His wife, Abigail, on the other hand, is his complete opposite. The only other Abigail in the Bible is David's sister (1 Chr 2.16). In verses 4-8: Shearing sheep was a festival time in Israel. David's requests a gift, hoping Nabal, in the spirit of the festival, will be generous. The gift David expects is more or less obligatory as payment for not harming or "protecting" Nabal's shepherds. The ten young men who David sends should give Nabal an idea of the size of the gift David is expecting, namely, as much as ten  men can carry. In verses 10-11: Nabal's reply is insulting/ His questions, Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? are a way of saying that David is insignificant and do not mean that Nabal does not know who David is. Nabal calls David, in effect, a runaway slave and a vagabond. In verses 14-17: Nabal's own servants recognize that he is ill-natured and untrustworthy. In this emergency they go to Abigail. In verse 18; Five measures: The Hebrew word is "se'ah." Five se'ahs was about a  bushel. cakes of figs were clumps rather that bakery products. In verse 22: David vows to annihilate every male in Nabal's house hold. This sets the stage for the arrival of Abigail, who is a female, is the only person who can prevent a tragedy. Comments or Questions..