He had been enjoying a perfectly fine meal when his servants burst into the room with some urgent visitors. Soon ten more men, burly and filthy, crowded into his dining room. He hadn't offered them seats at his table, or any food or drink. His hospitality was extended by patiently listening as these men prattled on and on, basically begging for food.
They had said, "Peace to be to you, peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David."
Now the men were waiting for his answer.
Nabal studied them. They certainly looked like a group of strong warriors. However, they also looked rough, rogue, and a little untrustworthy. How do I know they are not runaway servants, looking to pull the wool over my eyes? How do I know that this David is who he says he is?
He had heard rumors of this son of Jesse. Many, conflicting rumors. Why would the King of Israel, concern himself with chasing after this shepherd boy? They were probably all thieves, or murderers even! No, no, he would not get involved in this sticky affair. The gods only knew what the King of Israel would do to him if he found out.
He cleared his throat to speak, not bothering to stand up-they weren't worth the effort. All ten of them stood straighter, hopefulness lit their eyes like twenty little fires.
All of which were about to be doused.
"Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse?" He watched their hope start to deflate at his harsh questions. "There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread, my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from, I do not know where?"
He stood up then, and marched straight to the stunned little group. He could see their anger now, at being treated so harshly. But what was it to him? For all he knew, they were lying about keeping his shepherds safe in the wilderness. Perhaps they threatened his men into silence for an occasion such as this. He glared at the group, and paced back and forth in front of them.
"You can tell David this." Nabal stopped in front of the oldest man, and spit in his face. He grinned at the man because he could tell just how badly he wanted to throttle him. "Tell David that," he said with a laugh.
The men slowly filed out of the room. Despite their angry, hate-filled glances, and mumbled curses, Nabal knew this
Based on 1 Samuel 25:9-11
So here we have Nabal and David's men. They came and asked Nabal for provisions, just like David said. They told Nabal who they were with, and that they had protect Nabal's shepherds and sheep. They didn't do that expecting something in return. They did it because it was the right thing to do. Nor did they come with a chip on their shoulders, expecting to be given provisions because of what they had done. Rather, their attitude was, "Yes, we did help you. Brother to brother, can you help us?"
Nabal mocked them, and denied them with silly logic that only a fool can use.
I think we've been beaten down so much into the, "Every man for himself," motto because of people like Nabal. It's true. There are people who will respond just like Nabal, and after dealing with so many Nabals, it isn't surprising that we have fallen into the same heart condition.
Who else had to deal with a bunch of Nabals? Jesus. The New Testament is filled with Jesus and all the Nabals, ahem, Pharisees. Remember the man with the withered hand in Matthew 12:9-14? Jesus goes into the synagogue one day, and a man with a withered hand awaits. The Pharisees wanted to trap Jesus, and accuse Him of evil, so they asked Jesus, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" Jesus saw right through them. He told them it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath, and He healed the man. However, the Pharisees left conspiring even more about how they could destroy Jesus.
Jesus kept doing good, good, good. Where did that get Him? Those stinking people crucified Him, after all He had done!
But Jesus never stopped doing good. He never repaid evil with evil. And you and I both know, that He would do it all over again to save us. I don't know about you, but my own heart hasn't been so gracious.
"If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not leave his house." Proverbs 17:13
Once you fall into the Nabal heart condition, it is that much harder to overcome it. That attitude becomes your first response. It is imperative that we fight that evil with a good, Godly attitude.
"Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9
"Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it." 1 Peter 3:11
Follow in Jesus' footsteps. Live a life of giving good, no matter how many Nabals cross your path.
V. Joy Palmer
Check out http://snackpackdevotionsforkidz.blogspot.com
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