ONE BAD DECISION CAN AFFECT MANY PEOPLE
Given the current state of affairs in America, it's possible you might believe this story is about a politician. There are similarities to the "fool" and "almost fools" in this story, but they lived long before today's politicians were born. This story is about a leader who almost became a fool because of the actions of another fool.
David was the future King of Israel and that made some folks hate him. King Saul was jealous and was out to murder David and rid himself of a political threat to his Kingship. David had a following of about 600 men who stayed on the move ahead of Saul.
At one point they helped maintain the safety of a group of sheep herders. The sheep were owned by a very wealthy man named Nabal. His name means: "foolish, senseless." It was customary to take care of the guys who went out of their way to form a wall of safety around the sheepherders. One of Nabal’s men told him that David’s men formed “a wall around us, both day and night, the whole time we were herding our sheep near them” (1 Samuel 25:16). When David sent men to ask Nabal for some provisions for his hungry men, Nabal told them to get lost. He had no intention of sharing his wealth. He was ungrateful and foolish.
David became angry when he heard Nabal's response. Nabal knew exactly who David was and insulted him by saying, “Who is David? Who is Jesse’s son? Many slaves these days are running away from their masters."
(1 Samuel 25 10 HCSB) In his anger, David told his men to get ready for battle. They were going to kill Nabal and all of his (innocent) men in foolish revenge for being insulted.
God always has a plan. The fool Nabal just happened to be married to a very intelligent woman named Abigail. When she heard of her husband's stupidity, she acted quickly to avert a disaster. She gathered supplies and took them to David and his men. She asked for forgiveness. Her humble apologies and a calming effect on David. Abigail's kind heart and quick action stopped David from acting foolishly.
"Then David said to Abigail, “Praise to the Lord God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today! Your discernment is blessed, and you are blessed. Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand. Otherwise, as surely as the Lord God of Israel lives, who prevented me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, Nabal wouldn’t have had any men[a] left by morning light.” Then David accepted what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. See, I have heard what you said and have granted your request.” 1 Samuel 25:32-35
In the morning, after Nabal had slept off his drunkenness from the night before, Abigail told him what she did. "Then he had a seizure and became paralyzed. About 10 days later, the Lord struck Nabal dead." 1 Samuel 25:37-38 HCSB God always takes care of business. Don't let a fool make you angry enough to become a fool.
DAY SIX WORD
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written,
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 12:19 ESV
For the one who sows to his flesh
[his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses]
will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction,
but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:8 AMP
DAY SIX PRAYER
God thank You for wisdom, insight, and knowledge. You give us discernment when we ask You. You keep us from becoming fools and suffering the consequences of foolishness. Forgive us for our anger, lack of discernment and becoming fools needlessly. Our flesh is foolish and our spirits are weak, but as we trust in You we're redeemed by the precious blood of Your Son. Amen.
DAY SIX DEEP THOUGHTS\
Today's Deep Thoughts are taken from, Proverbs 26:4-12 HCSB
David was the future King of Israel and that made some folks hate him. King Saul was jealous and was out to murder David and rid himself of a political threat to his Kingship. David had a following of about 600 men who stayed on the move ahead of Saul.
At one point they helped maintain the safety of a group of sheep herders. The sheep were owned by a very wealthy man named Nabal. His name means: "foolish, senseless." It was customary to take care of the guys who went out of their way to form a wall of safety around the sheepherders. One of Nabal’s men told him that David’s men formed “a wall around us, both day and night, the whole time we were herding our sheep near them” (1 Samuel 25:16). When David sent men to ask Nabal for some provisions for his hungry men, Nabal told them to get lost. He had no intention of sharing his wealth. He was ungrateful and foolish.
David became angry when he heard Nabal's response. Nabal knew exactly who David was and insulted him by saying, “Who is David? Who is Jesse’s son? Many slaves these days are running away from their masters."
(1 Samuel 25 10 HCSB) In his anger, David told his men to get ready for battle. They were going to kill Nabal and all of his (innocent) men in foolish revenge for being insulted.
God always has a plan. The fool Nabal just happened to be married to a very intelligent woman named Abigail. When she heard of her husband's stupidity, she acted quickly to avert a disaster. She gathered supplies and took them to David and his men. She asked for forgiveness. Her humble apologies and a calming effect on David. Abigail's kind heart and quick action stopped David from acting foolishly.
"Then David said to Abigail, “Praise to the Lord God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today! Your discernment is blessed, and you are blessed. Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand. Otherwise, as surely as the Lord God of Israel lives, who prevented me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, Nabal wouldn’t have had any men[a] left by morning light.” Then David accepted what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. See, I have heard what you said and have granted your request.” 1 Samuel 25:32-35
In the morning, after Nabal had slept off his drunkenness from the night before, Abigail told him what she did. "Then he had a seizure and became paralyzed. About 10 days later, the Lord struck Nabal dead." 1 Samuel 25:37-38 HCSB God always takes care of business. Don't let a fool make you angry enough to become a fool.
DAY SIX WORD
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written,
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 12:19 ESV
For the one who sows to his flesh
[his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses]
will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction,
but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:8 AMP
DAY SIX PRAYER
God thank You for wisdom, insight, and knowledge. You give us discernment when we ask You. You keep us from becoming fools and suffering the consequences of foolishness. Forgive us for our anger, lack of discernment and becoming fools needlessly. Our flesh is foolish and our spirits are weak, but as we trust in You we're redeemed by the precious blood of Your Son. Amen.
DAY SIX DEEP THOUGHTS\
Today's Deep Thoughts are taken from, Proverbs 26:4-12 HCSB
- Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.
- Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.
- The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
- A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.
- Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.
- A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard.
- The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone.
- As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.
- Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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