"Thy glory, O Is'ra-el is slain upon the high places!
How are the mighty fallen!
Tell it not in Gath,
Publish it not in the streets of As'ke-lon;
Lest the daughters of the Phi-lis'tines rejoice.
Ye mountains of Gil-bo'a,
Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, neither fields of offerings:
For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away,
The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty,
The bow of Jon'a-than turnt not back,
And the sword of Saul returnt not empty.
Saul and Jon'a-than were lovely and pleasant in their lives,
And in their death they were not divided:
They were swifter than eagles,
They were stronger than lions.
Ye daughters of Is'ra-el, weep over Saul,
Who clothed you in scarlet delicately,
Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle!
Jon'a-than is slain upon thy high places.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jon'a-than:
Very pleasant hast thou been unto me:
Thy love to me was wonderful,
Passing the love of women.
How are the mighty fallen,
And the weapons of war perished!
What a remarkable insight into the heart of Da'vid is provided in the words of this beautiful ode! He sang high praises in memory of the man who had made his youth and early manhood a time of constant danger and worry. Is'ra-el had lost a king who, with all his faults, had certain qualities of greatness; and in his tribute to the dead, Da'vid forgot and forgave his faults, while magnifying his virtues. Instead of being gratified by the end of an enemy and rejoicing that his persecutions were over, Da'vid bowed in genuine grief. To his heart, Is'ra-el's shame and the insult to GOD in the triumph of the Phi-lis'tines were more important than the prospects of a safe return to his native land and the probability of immediate advancement to the throne of Is'ra-el. Such nobility is rare in the history of mankind; and is possible only because one makes GOD, and not himself, the center of the universe. This nobility was Da'vid's safeguard against the baneful influences of both adversity and prosperity.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Story 88: Da'vid's Lament Over Saul And Jon'a-than l
The news of the defeat of the Is'ra-el-ites by the Phi-lis'tines and of the death of Saul and his sons was brought to Da'vid three days after he and his men had returnt to the ruins of Zik'lag. There rushed into the camp a man in tattered clothes and with the appearance of having gone through a terrific struggle. Thinking that Da'vid would be pleased to hear the unhappy end of the one who had persecuted him for so many years, the stranger told Da'vid of the tragic death of Saul. No doubt seeking a reward from Da'vid, he pretended that he had taken an important part in the tragedy, saying:
" I happened by chance to come upon Saul as he leant upon his spear, hard pressed by the chariots and horsemen of the enemy; and at his own request, because he did not wish to undergo the shame of being slain by the Phi-lis'tines, I slew him with my own hands. I have brought you the metal cap which he wore to protect his temples and as an emblem of power; and his armlet, the mark of his royal dignity."
This man, who said that he was an Am'a-lek-ite, misjudged the nobility of Da'vid. The story which he told was only partially true, and the claims which he made for himself were wholly false. Instead of bringing praise and reward, his scheme brought down upon his head the anger of the man he sought to please and the punishment of death.
Da'vid's heart was filled with sorrow at the news of the death of Saul and his bosom friend Jon'a-than. His feelings broke forth in overwhelming grief and in violent anger toward the man who claimt to have slain the king. He proclaimt a season of deep mourning among his men for Saul and Jon'a-than and for all the Is'ra-el-ites who had fallen by the sword of the Phi-lis'tines.
He then called for the man who had brought the news of the death of Saul and his sons, and asked him who he was. The man replied that he was an Am'a-lek-ite who had moved into the land of Is'ra-el. Then the one who had never been disloyal to his king, and who had twice spared his life, said to the stranger, "Thou art condemned by the words of thine own mouth, for the penalty of death must be inflicted upon any man who slays the LORD'S anointed." He then directed one of his valiant men to execute the self-confessed criminal, and the sentence was immediately carried out.
Da'vid then uttered a lament over the death of Saul and Jon'a-than which holds an honored place among ancient writings of this kind. It is arranged in three strophes, gradually diminishing in power and scope:
" I happened by chance to come upon Saul as he leant upon his spear, hard pressed by the chariots and horsemen of the enemy; and at his own request, because he did not wish to undergo the shame of being slain by the Phi-lis'tines, I slew him with my own hands. I have brought you the metal cap which he wore to protect his temples and as an emblem of power; and his armlet, the mark of his royal dignity."
This man, who said that he was an Am'a-lek-ite, misjudged the nobility of Da'vid. The story which he told was only partially true, and the claims which he made for himself were wholly false. Instead of bringing praise and reward, his scheme brought down upon his head the anger of the man he sought to please and the punishment of death.
Da'vid's heart was filled with sorrow at the news of the death of Saul and his bosom friend Jon'a-than. His feelings broke forth in overwhelming grief and in violent anger toward the man who claimt to have slain the king. He proclaimt a season of deep mourning among his men for Saul and Jon'a-than and for all the Is'ra-el-ites who had fallen by the sword of the Phi-lis'tines.
He then called for the man who had brought the news of the death of Saul and his sons, and asked him who he was. The man replied that he was an Am'a-lek-ite who had moved into the land of Is'ra-el. Then the one who had never been disloyal to his king, and who had twice spared his life, said to the stranger, "Thou art condemned by the words of thine own mouth, for the penalty of death must be inflicted upon any man who slays the LORD'S anointed." He then directed one of his valiant men to execute the self-confessed criminal, and the sentence was immediately carried out.
Da'vid then uttered a lament over the death of Saul and Jon'a-than which holds an honored place among ancient writings of this kind. It is arranged in three strophes, gradually diminishing in power and scope:
Friday, May 19, 2017
Story 87: Saul Visits The Witch Of En'dor; His Tragic Death lll
On the next day the Phi-lis'tines attacked the Is'ra-el-ites with great force. The battle was waged fiercely by both sides, but its tide was against Is'ra-el. Three of Saul's sons-Jon'a-than, A-bin'a-dab and Mal-chi-shu'a-were slain, and Saul himself was severely wounded by the archers. In his pain and despair he said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and thrust it through my body, lest the heathen Phi-lis'tines slay me." When the armor-bearer refused to do it, Saul placed the point of his sword against his body and threw himself upon it with all his weight. He died instantly, and was soon followed in death by the devoted armor-bearer, who took his life in the same way.
When news of the shameful manner in which the bodies of Saul and his three sons had been left hanging on the walls of Beth-she'an reached the ears of the people of Ja'besh-Gil'e-ad, which was far across the Jor'dan to the northeast, some of their valiant men resolved to put an end to such treatment. Traveling all night in order to reach Beth-she'an as soon as possible, They took down the bodies of their dead king and his sons, and had them cremated. Then they carried the ashes to Ja'besh for burial, and declared seven days of fast and mourning.
These Gil'e-ad-ites showed a fine spirit of gratitude and courage in their noble deed. In the early days of his reign, many years before his tragic death, Saul had gone to the defense of the city of Ja'besh-Gil'e-ad when it was attacked by the Am'mon-ites. The great victory which he had won for them in the name of GOD had not been forgotten.
When news of the shameful manner in which the bodies of Saul and his three sons had been left hanging on the walls of Beth-she'an reached the ears of the people of Ja'besh-Gil'e-ad, which was far across the Jor'dan to the northeast, some of their valiant men resolved to put an end to such treatment. Traveling all night in order to reach Beth-she'an as soon as possible, They took down the bodies of their dead king and his sons, and had them cremated. Then they carried the ashes to Ja'besh for burial, and declared seven days of fast and mourning.
These Gil'e-ad-ites showed a fine spirit of gratitude and courage in their noble deed. In the early days of his reign, many years before his tragic death, Saul had gone to the defense of the city of Ja'besh-Gil'e-ad when it was attacked by the Am'mon-ites. The great victory which he had won for them in the name of GOD had not been forgotten.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Story 87: Saul Visits The Witch Of En'dor; His Tragic Death ll
The entire interview was a fraud, based upon the superstitious, false belief that departed spirits may be called back to speak with the living. It is plainly taught in GOD'S revealed Truth that a return of the spirits of the dead to this world is impossible. All through the Bible the practice of witchcraft or sorcery is closely connected with spirits of evil, and is severely denounced by the LORD. There are a number of incidents recorded in which miraculous deeds of a certain kind are attributed to the servants of sa'tan. It is clearly said in the Scriptures that "sa'tan fashioneth himself into an angel of light," and certain forms of his works are said to be "with all power and signs and lying wonders." The story of Saul's visit to the witch of En'dor and of his conversation with the dead prophet must be understood in the light of the LORD'S plain teaching on this subject.
It is directly stated in connection with this story that "GOD answered Saul no more," and it was for this reason that he turnt to a sorceress for help. It is therefore obviously true that nothing which was said during the visit with the witch of En'dor came from GOD. It was sa'tan himself, or one of the evil spirits at his command, who led the witch to say what she did to Saul. All that was said was true, and all that was predicted came to pass, but sa'tan was merely taunting the man whose evil deeds had brought him wholly within his power. sa'tan ruins men, and then laughs at them in their misery.
For more than twenty-four hours Saul had been in such anguish of mind and spirit that he had not taken any food; in this weakened condition he was overcome by the shock of apparently receiving a message from the spirit of Sam'u-el, and suddenly fell to the ground. The witch was terrified by the thought that the king might be found dead or injured in her home, which would mean certain death for her. She therefore begged him to take some food in order to revive his weakened body. Saul refused at first, but was finally persuaded by the witch and his own servants to eat a full meal. Presently he rose up and went back to the camps of his soldiers while it was still night.
It is directly stated in connection with this story that "GOD answered Saul no more," and it was for this reason that he turnt to a sorceress for help. It is therefore obviously true that nothing which was said during the visit with the witch of En'dor came from GOD. It was sa'tan himself, or one of the evil spirits at his command, who led the witch to say what she did to Saul. All that was said was true, and all that was predicted came to pass, but sa'tan was merely taunting the man whose evil deeds had brought him wholly within his power. sa'tan ruins men, and then laughs at them in their misery.
For more than twenty-four hours Saul had been in such anguish of mind and spirit that he had not taken any food; in this weakened condition he was overcome by the shock of apparently receiving a message from the spirit of Sam'u-el, and suddenly fell to the ground. The witch was terrified by the thought that the king might be found dead or injured in her home, which would mean certain death for her. She therefore begged him to take some food in order to revive his weakened body. Saul refused at first, but was finally persuaded by the witch and his own servants to eat a full meal. Presently he rose up and went back to the camps of his soldiers while it was still night.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Story 87: Saul Visits The Witch Of En'dor; His Tragic Death l
The stage was now set for a tragic ending to the career of Saul. Violent warfare was raging between the Phi-lis'tines and the Is'ra-el-ites, and preparations were made for a decisive battle on the plains of Jez're-el at the foot of Mount Gil-bo'a. Saul appears to have had strange warnings of the disaster soon to come. His efforts to secure Divine aid through prayer and by an appeal to the priests of the land had met with an appalling silence from God. No help came to him through revealing dreams, the advice of a priest, or the words of a prophet. He should have known at once that the LORD had left him to his own evil ways, but it was a long time before this knowledge filled him with terror.
With the armies of Is'ra-el assembled in the foothills of Mount Gil-bo'a, and with the forces of the Phi-lis'tines massed on the plains of Jez're-el, Saul was overcome by fright. He remembered the timely messages of the prophet Sam'u-el during the earlier days of his reign, and now, even though the man of God was dead and buried, Saul felt that he must find some way of communicating with him. There were people in those days, just as there are now, who pretended to be able to speak with people long dead. Women who practiced this art were known as "witches," and God had told Is'ra-el through the Mo'sa-ic Laws that all such deceivers were dominated by evil spirits and should be slain. This law against witches had been strictly enforced by Saul, but one woman who lived in a secluded spot in the Little Her'mon mountain had escaped the executioners of the king. In his troubled spirit Saul decided to ask her aid in communicating with the spirit of Sam'u-el.
Saul disguised himself in the clothing worn by common people, took two servants with him, and sought a secret meeting with the witch of En'dor. The place where she was hiding was located beyond the camps of the Phi-lis'tines, so it was necessary for Saul to pass around his bitter foes in his secret mission. It was a dark and perilous night for the despairing king as he kept to the east of the plains of Jez're-el, crossed the valley to the adjoining Little Her'mon, and climbed the rigged path to En'dor.
The witch of En'dor did not recognize Saul at first, and thought that her visitor, whoever he might be, had come merely to entrap her. She reminded the unknown visitor that Saul had driven from his land all people who claimed to speak with the dead, and accused him of laying a snare for her. Saul then took oath that no harm should befall her of anything which she might do to help him, so the woman said, "Whom among the dead shall I summon for you?" Saul replied, "Bring me up Sam'u-el." This request convinced the woman that her visitor was none other than the king of Is'ra-el, and she cried out in anger, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul." The king then admitted his identity, but told her once again that she need fear no harm if she granted his request.
The woman evidently knew of Sam'u-el's frequent warnings to Saul during his life, of Saul's rejection by the LORD, and of his constant fear of losing the throne to Da'vid. She was acquainted with all that had taken place in the life of the king, and knew that his mind was now filled with many fears. She remembered the appearance of Sam'u-el during his earthly life, and was able to duplicate it well enough to make Saul think that the prophet himself was called up from death to speak with him.
With the armies of Is'ra-el assembled in the foothills of Mount Gil-bo'a, and with the forces of the Phi-lis'tines massed on the plains of Jez're-el, Saul was overcome by fright. He remembered the timely messages of the prophet Sam'u-el during the earlier days of his reign, and now, even though the man of God was dead and buried, Saul felt that he must find some way of communicating with him. There were people in those days, just as there are now, who pretended to be able to speak with people long dead. Women who practiced this art were known as "witches," and God had told Is'ra-el through the Mo'sa-ic Laws that all such deceivers were dominated by evil spirits and should be slain. This law against witches had been strictly enforced by Saul, but one woman who lived in a secluded spot in the Little Her'mon mountain had escaped the executioners of the king. In his troubled spirit Saul decided to ask her aid in communicating with the spirit of Sam'u-el.
Saul disguised himself in the clothing worn by common people, took two servants with him, and sought a secret meeting with the witch of En'dor. The place where she was hiding was located beyond the camps of the Phi-lis'tines, so it was necessary for Saul to pass around his bitter foes in his secret mission. It was a dark and perilous night for the despairing king as he kept to the east of the plains of Jez're-el, crossed the valley to the adjoining Little Her'mon, and climbed the rigged path to En'dor.
The witch of En'dor did not recognize Saul at first, and thought that her visitor, whoever he might be, had come merely to entrap her. She reminded the unknown visitor that Saul had driven from his land all people who claimed to speak with the dead, and accused him of laying a snare for her. Saul then took oath that no harm should befall her of anything which she might do to help him, so the woman said, "Whom among the dead shall I summon for you?" Saul replied, "Bring me up Sam'u-el." This request convinced the woman that her visitor was none other than the king of Is'ra-el, and she cried out in anger, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul." The king then admitted his identity, but told her once again that she need fear no harm if she granted his request.
The woman evidently knew of Sam'u-el's frequent warnings to Saul during his life, of Saul's rejection by the LORD, and of his constant fear of losing the throne to Da'vid. She was acquainted with all that had taken place in the life of the king, and knew that his mind was now filled with many fears. She remembered the appearance of Sam'u-el during his earthly life, and was able to duplicate it well enough to make Saul think that the prophet himself was called up from death to speak with him.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Story 86: Ab'i-gail Conquers Da'vid's Anger ll
One of the shepherds urged her to act before it was too late, and spoke of Na'bal as " such a son of the devil that no one could advise him." Ab'i-gail hastened to provide gifts which might appease Da'vid. Gathering two hundred loaves of bread, two bottles of wine, five dressed sheep, five clusters of parched corn, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, she had them loaded on beasts of burden and rushed off to meet Da'vid.
Her arrival was just in time, for she and the servants who went with her had not traveled far before they met Da'vid at the head of his four hundred men. He was in an angry mood, and was muttering in his heart, "I guarded all that this prosperous man had in the wilderness, so that nothing was lost; and for this goodness he has requited me evil. I shall surely be avenged by slaying him and every man in his company."
Ab'i-gail quickly dismounted, fell on her face before Da'vid, and cried, "Upon me, my lord, let this iniquity rest; and permit me, I beg you, to have audience with you." She then freely admitted that she had been badly treated by her husband, but pointed out the fact that Na'bal's very name means "fool" in the Hebrew language. She also explained that she knew nothing of the request of the young men until they had gone, and that they would have received generous aid, had they applied to her. She then appealed to the deepest emotions of Da'vid's heart, expressing herself in words to this effect: "I am happy to deal with a man who, though sometimes at fault in word or deed, is a true servant of the LORD, and who will not deliberately break His law." She went on to assure Da'vid of her sympathy in the persecutions suffered from Saul's hatred, saying that she was confident that he would be raised to the throne of Is'ra-el, and adding this beautiful prophecy: "Your soul shall be found in the bundle of life with God, and the souls of your enemies shall be flung out in the cup of the sling."
Ab'i-gail then made a very touching appeal in which she reminded Da'vid that it would bring him great unhappiness, after he was king, if he had to look back upon any act in which he had shed blood without a cause. She then begged him to accept the provisions which she had brought to make up for the discourtesy shown by Na'bal, and earnestly sought forgiveness.
Da'vid was completely overcome by the appeal of this noble woman, and was deeply impressed with her personal charm and worth. In reply to Ab'i-gail he said, May the LORD God of Is'ra-el be blessed, who sent you to me! Blessed be your counsel, and blessed may you be, because you have kept me this day from shedding blood and from avenging a personal grievance with my own hand. Had you not hurried and come to me, then certainly by tomorrow morning there would not have been left a single one of Na'bal's men."He then accepted the gifts which she had brought and sent her home in peace.
When Ab'i-gail returnt to her husband she found him drunkenly enjoying the festivities of the sheep-shearing season, wholly unmindful of the peril from which his noble wife had saved him. She waited until the next morning, when he had sufficiently recovered from his drunkenness to understand what she said, to tell him how she had appeased the anger of Da'vid, and of the certain death from which she had saved her unworthy husband. Na'bal was so shocked by the news that he fell into a state of paralysis, and ten days later he died.
When news was brought to Da'vid of Na'bal's death, he sang once again a song of praise to God for the deliverance from evil which had been brought to him through the wise counsel and prudent acts of Ab'i-gail. His admiration for her noble character and deep piety soon grew into a strong affection, and Ab'igail became a faithful and devoted wife of the young hero.
Her arrival was just in time, for she and the servants who went with her had not traveled far before they met Da'vid at the head of his four hundred men. He was in an angry mood, and was muttering in his heart, "I guarded all that this prosperous man had in the wilderness, so that nothing was lost; and for this goodness he has requited me evil. I shall surely be avenged by slaying him and every man in his company."
Ab'i-gail quickly dismounted, fell on her face before Da'vid, and cried, "Upon me, my lord, let this iniquity rest; and permit me, I beg you, to have audience with you." She then freely admitted that she had been badly treated by her husband, but pointed out the fact that Na'bal's very name means "fool" in the Hebrew language. She also explained that she knew nothing of the request of the young men until they had gone, and that they would have received generous aid, had they applied to her. She then appealed to the deepest emotions of Da'vid's heart, expressing herself in words to this effect: "I am happy to deal with a man who, though sometimes at fault in word or deed, is a true servant of the LORD, and who will not deliberately break His law." She went on to assure Da'vid of her sympathy in the persecutions suffered from Saul's hatred, saying that she was confident that he would be raised to the throne of Is'ra-el, and adding this beautiful prophecy: "Your soul shall be found in the bundle of life with God, and the souls of your enemies shall be flung out in the cup of the sling."
Ab'i-gail then made a very touching appeal in which she reminded Da'vid that it would bring him great unhappiness, after he was king, if he had to look back upon any act in which he had shed blood without a cause. She then begged him to accept the provisions which she had brought to make up for the discourtesy shown by Na'bal, and earnestly sought forgiveness.
Da'vid was completely overcome by the appeal of this noble woman, and was deeply impressed with her personal charm and worth. In reply to Ab'i-gail he said, May the LORD God of Is'ra-el be blessed, who sent you to me! Blessed be your counsel, and blessed may you be, because you have kept me this day from shedding blood and from avenging a personal grievance with my own hand. Had you not hurried and come to me, then certainly by tomorrow morning there would not have been left a single one of Na'bal's men."He then accepted the gifts which she had brought and sent her home in peace.
When Ab'i-gail returnt to her husband she found him drunkenly enjoying the festivities of the sheep-shearing season, wholly unmindful of the peril from which his noble wife had saved him. She waited until the next morning, when he had sufficiently recovered from his drunkenness to understand what she said, to tell him how she had appeased the anger of Da'vid, and of the certain death from which she had saved her unworthy husband. Na'bal was so shocked by the news that he fell into a state of paralysis, and ten days later he died.
When news was brought to Da'vid of Na'bal's death, he sang once again a song of praise to God for the deliverance from evil which had been brought to him through the wise counsel and prudent acts of Ab'i-gail. His admiration for her noble character and deep piety soon grew into a strong affection, and Ab'igail became a faithful and devoted wife of the young hero.
Monday, May 8, 2017
Story 86: Ab'i-gail Conquers Da'vid's Anger l
Da'vid seems to have realized that Saul's more friendly attitude would be short-lived, and that it was not safe for him to dismiss his followers and return to normal life again. He therefore removed to the wilderness of Pa'ran, which was an extended tract of country along the southern border of Ca'naan adjoining the Si'na-it'ic desert. There were two reasons which probably led him to choose this outlying district. One was the recent death of Sam'u-el, whose influence in Is'ra-el had done much to support the cause of Da'vid; the other, because it was becoming difficult to provide for his six hundred followers in the wilderness of Ju'dah.
Living not far from the place where Da'vid had taken his new refuge was a wealthy man by the name of Na'bal. He owned large herds of sheep and goats, and employed many shepherds. Da'vid and his men had given aid to these shepherds in protecting their flocks from the roving tribes of the desert, and for this reason felt justified in calling upon Na'bal when they were greatly in need of food.
Da'vid sent ten of his most courteous men to Car'mel, which was the home of Na'bal, with instructions to greet him in the name of the LORD, tell him of their friendly aid to the shepherds, and to explain the dire need of Da'vid's men for food. They were to ask Na'bal to send any food which he might spare from the feast which had been prepared for his shepherds and sheep-shearers, or from that which had been provided for the festivities of the seasons. All the circumstances justified Da'vid in making this request, and he had every reason to expect a generous response.
Da'vid was soon to be disappointed, however, for Na'bal had the heart of a miser, taking no thought for those who were less fortunate than himself. He had been blessed by the LORD with an abundance of earthly goods, but instead of thinking of what he owed to the LORD and all around him who were in need, he used his wealth only for his own enjoyment. He spoke of his possessions as "my bread, my meat, my water, and my shearers." He was also most ungrateful, for had Da'vid's men not protected his flocks both day and night, he would have had fewer sheep to shear and less wealth of which to boast.
Na'bal heard the request of Da'vid's men without the slightest feeling of obligation or generosity. He denied the request, speaking of Da'vid as a run-away slave who was in need because of misconduct.
When Da'vid's men reported Na'bal's unfriendliness and insults, their leader became very angry. He ordered four hundred of his men to gird on their swords and follow him, planning to swoop down upon Na'bal's farm with vengeance and deadly destruction. He was wrong in allowing his temper to rule for the moment, but Divine Providence kept him from carrying out his intentions against Na'bal and his household.
Na'bal's wife, whose name was Ab'i-gail, was an intelligent, kindly and deeply religious woman. She knew of Da'vid's excellent character and of his exile under the persecutions of Saul, and had been informed of the kindness of Da'vid's men to Na'bal's shepherds when they were in peril from bandits while out in the desert. When she learnt of her husband's boorish treatment of Da'vid's young men in refusing their request, she felt that Da'vid would be justified in causing trouble for Na'bal. She decided to take steps at once to save her husband from possible slaughter, and to prevent Da'vid from any rash deeds.
Living not far from the place where Da'vid had taken his new refuge was a wealthy man by the name of Na'bal. He owned large herds of sheep and goats, and employed many shepherds. Da'vid and his men had given aid to these shepherds in protecting their flocks from the roving tribes of the desert, and for this reason felt justified in calling upon Na'bal when they were greatly in need of food.
Da'vid sent ten of his most courteous men to Car'mel, which was the home of Na'bal, with instructions to greet him in the name of the LORD, tell him of their friendly aid to the shepherds, and to explain the dire need of Da'vid's men for food. They were to ask Na'bal to send any food which he might spare from the feast which had been prepared for his shepherds and sheep-shearers, or from that which had been provided for the festivities of the seasons. All the circumstances justified Da'vid in making this request, and he had every reason to expect a generous response.
Da'vid was soon to be disappointed, however, for Na'bal had the heart of a miser, taking no thought for those who were less fortunate than himself. He had been blessed by the LORD with an abundance of earthly goods, but instead of thinking of what he owed to the LORD and all around him who were in need, he used his wealth only for his own enjoyment. He spoke of his possessions as "my bread, my meat, my water, and my shearers." He was also most ungrateful, for had Da'vid's men not protected his flocks both day and night, he would have had fewer sheep to shear and less wealth of which to boast.
Na'bal heard the request of Da'vid's men without the slightest feeling of obligation or generosity. He denied the request, speaking of Da'vid as a run-away slave who was in need because of misconduct.
When Da'vid's men reported Na'bal's unfriendliness and insults, their leader became very angry. He ordered four hundred of his men to gird on their swords and follow him, planning to swoop down upon Na'bal's farm with vengeance and deadly destruction. He was wrong in allowing his temper to rule for the moment, but Divine Providence kept him from carrying out his intentions against Na'bal and his household.
Na'bal's wife, whose name was Ab'i-gail, was an intelligent, kindly and deeply religious woman. She knew of Da'vid's excellent character and of his exile under the persecutions of Saul, and had been informed of the kindness of Da'vid's men to Na'bal's shepherds when they were in peril from bandits while out in the desert. When she learnt of her husband's boorish treatment of Da'vid's young men in refusing their request, she felt that Da'vid would be justified in causing trouble for Na'bal. She decided to take steps at once to save her husband from possible slaughter, and to prevent Da'vid from any rash deeds.
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