Welcome to a group of women who's goal is to encourage each other to put down some serious roots in the Word of God. This blog is dedicated to reading through the Bible in a year. Hopefully you will find the encouragement and accountability here that you need to push through the tough parts- or when life just gets in the way. The reading plan is located at the bottom of the blog. It contains links to the passages we are reading through biblegateway.com. You can use those links or read your own Bible, whichever you prefer.
We are all members of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Griffin, Georgia and felt the need in our own life for a little bit of the Lord's splendor. Please join us!!

Monday, April 18, 2011

The Fool and His Wife

Can you imagine your name being "Fool"? Can you imagine others saying, "Hey Fool! How are you today?" or calling someone else a fool as a means of stating their name. What a name to live up to... or in this case, to live down to! Nabal was a foolish man and his name literally meant "fool". We know that Nabal was very wealthy and was also very mean to those around him, including those who worked for him and helped him maintain his wealth. We know that he like to party and drink and and that his wife, Abigail, had to do a lot of work behind the scenes to keep their lives on even keel.

In contrast, we learn that Nabal's wife, Abigail, was an intelligent, beautiful, gracious, and humble woman who knew her husband was wicked. Abigail saved Nabal from David's wrath and anger. She was aware of her husband's sinful life and attitude and also wanted to protect David from "avenging [himself] with [his] own hands." She intervened. As a result, God dealt directly with Nabal through some type of "natural" death. David gained a second wife who was obviously equipped to help and support him.

In these passages, we also see David spare Saul's life once again. God miraculously put Saul's army and protectors into a deep sleep. David and Abishai walked up to Saul while he was sleeping and took Saul's sword and water jug that were both next to Saul's head. We know David was not afraid of killing; we know David was fearful of Saul's intent to kill him; and again we see that David knew the right thing to do and was obedient. He was tested again and does not kill Saul because he knows Saul is God's anointed.

Through these Old Testament chapters, God continues to teach us about Godly character and qualities that He demands and desires for us to have. We also see evidence that God honors those who are obedient and who seek Him. May we be obedient to God and willing to do what we know is right! Lord, please teach us to be obedient to You and not foolish in Your eyes.


“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

~Jim Elliot

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5 comments:

  1. localpersonApril 18, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Jeanette said.....Terry, I loved your title on today's summary :) How creative! And as we see David chosing to be obedient, to do the right thing, we understand why God chose Him to be the next king! May we all seek His wisdom & avoid foolish choices!!

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  2. JaybrenaApril 18, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    Oh, David!!! Don't multiply wives!!! It's like watching a movie for the tenth time, hoping the hero makes the right choice this time? David allies himself with the Philistines.....hmmmmmm.

    Terry, I was so glad to see you point out that verse about David thanking Abigail for preventing his "avenging his own self with his own hand." I loved that! We as women have a very important part in encouraging our men to do the right thing. Let us not take this lightly, but prayerfully consider our words and actions.

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  3. MindyApril 18, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Terry - I love that quote from Jim Elliot! How VERY profound and true! Nabal is a prime example of the fact that being wealthy DOES NOT mean that you are a happy nor intelligent. I wonder what would have attracted Abigail to a man of his character when she was so obviously an intelligent and wise woman. Of course, back in those times, most of the marriages were arranged so Abigail would not have had a choice possibly. I am SO GLAD that her situation had a happy ending and she was taken care of.

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  4. NatalieApril 20, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    "Behind every great man is a great woman." Maybe that's true, I don't know, but it seems that Abigail was a woman who sought to do right, and in this case she saved David from taking innocent people's lives. We can't forget, just like Jaybrena said, that we have great powers of influence as women. Let's use them for good!

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  5. AngelaApril 20, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    Natalie-Your comment "we have great powers of influence as women" is so TRUE!!!! We need to be in constant prayer and support for our husbands, sons, fathers, brothers (if you have them), brother-in-laws, uncles, cousins, and nephews. Lord, thank you for reminding me of the important task of daily prayer and encouragement for our men.

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