“And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.”
Isaiah 16:5
Today as I read these words I thought about a certain instance in king David’s life where he was about to completely decimate Nabal and his household. This was a discouraging time for David: Saul was hunting him down trying to kill him, the priests of the LORD were slain because he visited them, and Samuel had just died.
Now to top things off, David had been watching over this rich man’s sheep ensuring that he lost none. A man who was from the tribe of Judah, I might add, David’s own tribe. Who would not recognize David’s kindness, or his rightful claim as the king of the land. Instead, Nabal chides David’s servants and accuses David of being a dissenter.
David loses himself in rage! Gets all his men ready to destroy Nabal and his entire house from off of the face of the earth. And says, “Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he has requited me evil for good. So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisses against the wall” (from 1 Sam. 25:21-22).
Remember this is the same man who showed mercy to someone who was trying to kill him. Yet, now he is going to destroy an entire household: women, children, servants, anything that pertains to Nabal. All because this man would not give him some food and then discredited him. It seems that David’s mercy had failed in this moment.
Abigail hears about this and immediately gets into motion. She sends David an envoy filled with an abundance of goods as a peace offering. Then shortly after the embassy Abigail appears before David on behalf of her household. She falls to the ground before the anointed king and beseeches him for mercy. She humbles herself before him, tells him to let her husband’s iniquity fall on her, asks him to spare her house, and reminds him of who he is (merciful, and one who allows the LORD to avenge him). Then also encourages him about his God given destiny, king over all Israel.
When Abigail came to David she saw his army before him. She flung herself to the ground beseeching him to have mercy on her. She said that the sin was her own and asked him to have mercy on her… selah.
David immediately responds with gratitude saying, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent you this day to meet me: And blessed be your advice, and blessed be you, which have kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel lives, which has kept me back from hurting you, except you had hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisses against the wall” (1 Sam. 25:32-34).
With this the wrath of David was appeased. Abigail returned to her house and David to the wilderness. Then the LORD smote Nabal, and David sent for Abigail that she would be his wife. When his servants told her about David’s marriage proposal she fell to the ground and washed his messengers feet. Then came to him to be his wife. (You can check out the entire story in 1 Samuel chapter 25)
What a depiction of Christ and his bride! There is a coming wedding for the Lamb and his bride. But, we know that the LORD will return and reward every man according to his work. That day will come upon the earth and none will be able to stand to deliver themselves. What a fearful thing indeed, the day of vengeance of our God (from Isa. 61:2). Whenever I think about it, I am in fear for all the inhabitants of the earth.
May the bride of Christ be like Abigail. May we offer up peace offerings to our God. May we hasten to meet the LORD’s armies. Falling before Him and asking Him to let the iniquity of this world fall on us. Reminding our LORD of His great mercies.
“And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Therefore also now, says the LORD, turn you even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents him of the evil. Who knows if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?”
Joel 2:11-14
It is noteworthy that Abigail’s name means: father of joy. I want to encourage you brothers and sisters. It is because our Father’s joy that we have hope. He rejoices over us and rests in His love.
“The LORD your God in the midst of you is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over you with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over you with singing”
Zephaniah 3:17
“This I recall to my mind, for this reason I have hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness”
Lamentations 3:21-23
A desire for all the nations of the earth to be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. 