Laying an Unstable Foundation: 1 Samuel 25:39-44
Sometimes our deepest sin originates from a seemingly unrelated moment spiraling out of control. We make a decision in the moment, not realizing the future consequences. When the consequences show up, it is too late to reverse our course of action. We deal with them as best we can, but it is seldom ideal.
When David finds out Nabal is dead, he gives God glory. It is easy to question David’s motivation at this point. It is also right to question David’s motivation.
There can be little doubt David was pleased to hear about Nabal’s death. Even though Abigail acted neighborly and David’s troops were able to honor the celebration, Nabal was still unrighteous towards David. When David hears of his death, he cannot help but feel justified. It’s reasonable to believe David felt smug, too.
David makes a great choice in giving God the glory. If he feels smug, he is right on the tipping point of celebrating the death of a personal enemy. Nabal was not a combatant in warfare. Nabal hadn’t forced David to defend himself or die. This was a non-violent personal vendetta during which David let his emotions get out of control. Should David celebrate Nabal’s misfortune, he would be guilty of being uncaring about his neighbor. Had David personally celebrated Nabal’s death, he would be just as guilty as Nabal regarding being inhospitable.
Instead, David turns the opportunity into praise for God. He acknowledges God’s action against Nabal. It might feel like splitting hairs, but there is a substantial difference. Had David celebrated Nabal’s death, he would have been gloating from arrogance derived from a smug attitude. In giving God credit, he acknowledges God’s ability to judge heart. David does not have the ability to judge Nabal’s heart; he can only react to the offense between them. God does have the ability to judge Nabal’s heart; David accepts God’s judgment and His ability to act as judge over Nabal’s life.
This doesn’t excuse David’s attitude, and it certainly doesn’t show David in pure godliness. It shows David recognizing the arrogance within him and attempting to resist its influence. David knows the struggle within his own heart and chooses a better path in the moment.
Unfortunately, he then asks Abigail to marry him. This is his second wife, although Saul had taking Michal and given her to another man. Saul may have given Michal away to hurt David. David claimed Abigail as a final act against Nabal.
David ends up with three wives and begins his harem. Before David becomes king, David lays the foundation for his kingdom’s undoing. David’s inability to follow God’s desire and develop a nuclear family haunts him for the rest of his life. David’s harem begins with his inability to control his emotions with respect to Nabal’s inhospitable nature. Sometimes our greatest sin originates from a seemingly unrelated moment spiraling out of control.
