I           Introduction

On a first reading, the events in 1 Samuel 25 appear to be out of place. Where we’re familiar with Samuel, Saul or David taking centre stage, there is Abigail. A godly women like Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2:11). She acts in faith to save the life of her foolish husband and to keep the future king from doing wrong. She is a wonderful example of courage and wisdom. We can all learn from and follow her example when it comes to engaging with angry men and diffusing a tense situation.

For all her commendable attributes however, she is not the focus of the chapter. An important character most certainly, but a supporting character in the story of David’s rise to power. We must bear that in mind as we reflect on what we’ve read. Not Abigail, but David is the anointed king in waiting. Not Abigail, but David is our pointer to Jesus Christ. His life is the norm for Christian expectation, and in this chapter he shows us our need for a perfect king and our dependence on God to keep us strong in temptation. 

II          The need for a perfect king

A          Explain: What is significant about the death of Samuel? What did David and Saul do after they left the cave (1 Samuel 24)?

B          Explain: Was David right to expect a reward from Nabal? Why does he pick up his sword and make plans to kill?

C          Explain: What does Abigail focus on in her speech to David? What kind of a king do God’s people need?

D          Explain: Who is the king in whom there is no evil? What did that king do for fools?

III         Truth in temptation

A          Explain: Why did David begin to follow in the footsteps of Saul? How did the LORD keep him from blood-guilt?

B          Explain/Apply: What are some of the ways in which God brings his truth to his people?

C          Apply: How can we prepare our hearts to hear God’s truth when it comes from the lips of fellow believers?

D          Conclusion: The LORD’s true king is perfect. There is no evil found in him. He never took the law into his own hands, and so he was able to do what you and I cannot. To obey God in all things, to merit the reward of eternal life. He is also the king who came to save fools. Fools who are deserving of judgement, fools like you and me.

             United to him by faith, he calls us as his people, to be perfect even as our Father is perfect (cf. Matthew 5:48). To grow in our devotion to him. To fight in the power of the Spirit against sin, the flesh and the devil. To recognise that we do not have a monopoly on wisdom, and that we’ve been made part of a church family so that we can learn from and help each other. Let’s be open therefore to hearing the truth from the lips of a fellow believer, and thankful when they help us to see God’s will no matter how painful it might be.

IV      Prayer of response

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

We thank you for your Son, that he has washed us by his blood and made us part of your church. Thank you that we can hear your Word proclaimed week by week, that we can learn from the life and example of David, that you are at work within us by your Spirit to strengthen and grow our faith.

Please help us to be ready and open to correction from others. By nature we close our ears to any rebuke or questions that force us to look inside. We don’t want to change our behaviours, we don’t want to our sins to be exposed. When that time comes where our brother or sister speaks to us from their heart, may we not be like Saul but like David. May we hear your truth in their words and by the power of your Spirit, may our hearts be softened and our minds changed.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.