The National tribune., 1889-09-19
SUNDAY MEDITATION.


yID's WRATH AGAINST NABAL.
i. Data.
We have but one account in the Holy Scrip
lures of Abigails intercession for her husband
Nabal. The story was probably written by tho
prophet Cad. Recalling the sequel that David
ultimately married Abigail and became the
mother of Daniel, the son of David there is
real interest in the story. Bald as is this scrap
of history, it is yet full of practical sngges
ton, repaying prayerful study and medita-
ton.
g Time.
We date the lesson A. M. 2944, or 1860 b. G.
Hence, we study event which happened
2949 years ago. Samuel had died little be-
fore. David was about % to 30 years of age.
Nearly seven years had elapsed since Samuel
had anointed David to become successor of
Saul u6:1)
From %: 90 we see David at Engedi also
called HaZezon lamar It was west of the
Dead Sea. not far from Jeshimon. ga 22)
Then, in 25: | we learn of David in the wilder
ness of Paran. The Carmel referred to in verse
9 was south of Hebron, in the tribe of Judah.
MaOn was a..wilderness. (23:2f) Carmel lay
in said wilderness. These places were all in
the vicinity of Hebron. We learn from verse
3 that Nabal was n descendant of Caleb, and
we remember Caleb inherited Hebron. Josh
ua IA II; Is: 81, 55.) Notice Maon and Car
mel are both named in the inheritance of Caleb
Josh, Is: ST. The descendants of Caleb
would naturally linger about that section OF
country given to their ancestors.
4. Preliminary.
At the earnest solicitation Of the Israelites
God granted them King, selecting Saul. Saul
proved very unfit and Jehovah determined
on q change. He would not have the royal
flmily founded in the line Of Saul. After the
King had ruled for about 80 years God directed
Samuel to anoiut David TO become the sue
cessor to the second King of Israel, upon the
dceease of Saul. David, by his defeat of Go
liah and other wonderful performances, be-
came the pet Of the nation. His praises were
on all lips. Saul, seeing the popularity of the
young man, began to rage with jealousy. lie
was determined that David must be killed. and
thus gotten out of the way. Attempts made
failed, but David was forced to leave Gibeah
and 20 forth refugee. His life was in con-
slant danger Saul wonld have him killed on
sight. David knowing this fled from the pal
ace ont into the wilderness, followed by several
hundred admiring followers. They were not
a company Of wealthy young men. (22: ], p
No government was back OF them with
commissary department. They were obliged
TO live as best they could. Often they got into
severe straits. 1t was so when our lesson
opened. 10 was so more or less till Saul died
and David secured the throne.
;. Nabal and Abigail.
Habal audAb igail were husband and wife, The
word Sabal means folly, and it is very certain
Nabal WAS foolish. lie inherited the property
OF Caleb but not the common sense of the faith
full spy. The record of Nabal is unsavory. He
was "a son of BeIal tVs. II. %; 2: 10; Deu.,
| l3: Is: judi 10 %; ! XII, 81 10 I3; Q Chr,
| 1897; 2 Cor, 6: Is. Belial means Satan. Ma
| bal was a wicked man. a child Of tho Evil One,
an associate with workers of iniquity. "evil in
! his doings" (V. 81 The account states he was
"chnrlish." (V. 81 lie wss logged. eurrish.
! surly, snappy. snarling cynical He did not care
| for God nor man. lie had no respect for those
| in authority. lie spoke Of David most insult
| ingly ". l0) And his alusion 10 jesse was
| very contemplate. (Y. l0)
In contrast we read of Abigaiifs favorable
| qualities. Her name means the JOY Of her father
! While the name Nabal signifies folly, il is said
/ OF Abigail, she was q woman Of good understand
| ing. va Moreover she bad "a beautiful
I countcnanee." ". 81
| Nabal was so cross that one yentured to
| speak To him. tV IL No one presumed to
| approach such grabbed mortal. aud that though
| il were to inform him of danger. Even his
wife did not dare 10 mention to her husband
/ the reports of danger. She took the matter
| into her own hands and set out 10 prevent harm
/ to her home.
Mabel WA very rich, II was unfortunate a
I
man unlovely. Marriages often occur on the
basis OF wealth. That is thought fortunate
union when the bridegroom tlourishes in
/ wealth. Lave, after ALL in cottage is prefer
able 20 GOODNESS and crabbedness in palace.
8. The Can for Mediation.
David was enraged at the rude treatment of
| his young men. He was destitute. Nabal was
| under some obligations TO him. The Carmelite
rolled in riches. IL was festal time aud pro-
| visions were specially plentiful. The 10 young
men went by direction of David and sought
| food in the name of David. They presented
/ their request most respectfully. They were
met by gruifness. insult. stinginess. When
| David WAS told OF the insoient reception of the
| delegation he was full of wrath and determined
| on revongng the insult. The family of Nabal
would have become extinct had David. with
| 400 such followers as attached themselves TO
| him, fallen on the Carmelite household. For
| tunately a servant of Nabal hearing OF David
| anger. informed Abigail. She set out at once
| TO avert the oncoming attack, to save her hus-
| band aud to protect her home. She showed
| she was indeed "a woman of good understand
| ing" She acted promptly" made haste"
| (V 49, She took some provisions, thus meet
| ing the needs of David aud his company. tV.
49, On she went at length facing the advancing
ranks under command of David. She went in
person, trusting no one in case so important.
| &. Inc IhteTCeSstoHs
There Is something exceedingly beautiful in
the plea of Abigail. Says the commentator
| Scott "The conduct and address of Abigail on
this emergency are worthy of high admiration.
| Nothing seems To have been omitted which
suited the occasion; nothing unsnited added /;
all was expressed in the most persuasive man
ner, aud the whole manifests Abigail as a
woman of strong faith aud great pety as well
as of singular prudence and ingenuity" Aud
Doddridge remarks, This speech Of Abigail is
full of such humble, pathetic, natural, and
therefore artless, eloquence, as is not, l verify
think, to be paralleled in all antiquity"
We are surprised ut the familiarity of Abigail
with the purposes of Providence as to the down
fall of Saul aud the certain ascension of David
to the throne of Israel. Her language ia part
seems that Of q prophecies She was wise as a
serpent-harmless as dove.
We notice the following facts developed by
an analysis of Abigails prayer. 1t is study
for those who have occasion to offer petitions
To human superiors. IL also has suggestions
helping in tho framing of prayers to Deity.
/. Titles. Abigail addresses David in no IA
miliar, appant way. Over and over again she
says, MY Lord"
g Attitudes She was very reverent in man
ner. She fell on her face. She bowed. She
fell Mt the feet of David. (Vs. %, PAL
g. State of mind. She was humble Not only
her attitude of body, but, more important yet
her attitude of mind, were lowly. She did mol
presume TO come impudently into his presence
but she begged the privilege of an audience
She styled herself Dayid's handmade, or serv
| al