1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
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98 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 <strong>Samuel</strong> 2007 EditionAbigail proceeded to help David view his situation from God's perspective. She referredto the Lord as the One who, in response to her words, was restraining him from sheddinginnocent blood (v. 26). She was anticipating David's proper response to her appeal. Shefurther wished that all who opposed David, as Nabal had done, would be ineffective. Shepresented her gift <strong>of</strong> food and asked for David's forgiveness, again as the substitute forher husband (v. 28; cf. v. 24). She believed that Yahweh would give David an enduringdynasty because he fought the Lord's battles (v. 28), not just Saul's battles, and becauseDavid would do the Lord's will. In this she again anticipated David's proper response toher request. She believed God would preserve David alive, a blessing promised in theMosaic Law for those who obeyed God.Shepherds carried two bundles, one in which they carried food for themselves and theother in which they placed stones to hurl at the enemies <strong>of</strong> their sheep. 280 This figurativedescription <strong>of</strong> David as kept by God rather than thrown out by Him would have appealedto David as a shepherd. Abigail also believed that David would reign as king one day,which she had learned that God had revealed (v. 30). 281 She anticipated that day andviewed David as having a good conscience then for not taking vengeance against Nabal,since vengeance belongs to God. Often the early sins <strong>of</strong> leaders come back to haunt themwhen they finally attain <strong>of</strong>fice."He [David] was about to attack fellow Judeans and wipe out a wholefamily. This act would surely have brought reprobation on David andwould have undone all his carefully crafted relationships with his fellowIsraelites." 282Abigail concluded with a request that David would remember her when he attained histhrone (v. 31; cf. Gen. 40:14). In all that she said, Abigail revealed a godly perspectivethat was totally absent in her husband (cf. Elkanah). 283Abigail was careful "neither to exculpate Nabal nor to appear disloyal tohim. . . . In short, she must win David without betraying Nabal. Abigaildevises the perfect solution to the dilemma: she intercedes on behalf <strong>of</strong>Nabal (v. 24), although conceding that he has no case and no hope <strong>of</strong>survival (vv. 25-26). In other words, while overtly defending him, shecovertly dissociates herself from him." 284David's response to Abigail's appeal 25:32-35David heard the Lord's voice behind Abigail's words. Consequently he blessed the Lord,her discernment, and her. God had used David's conscience to keep him from killing Saul280 G. M. Mackie, Bible Manners and Customs, p. 33.281 <strong>Samuel</strong> had recognized David as the future king (16:12), then Jonathan did (20:15), then Saul did(24:20), and now Abigail did.282 Heater, "Young David . . .," p. 56.283 There are many similarities between Abigail's appeal to David here and the appeal <strong>of</strong> the wise woman <strong>of</strong>Tekoa in 2 Sam. 14:1-20. Cf. D. M. Gunn, "Traditional composition in the 'Succession Narrative,'" VetusTestamentum 26:2 (1976):221-22.284 Levenson, p. 230.