Sunday’s sermon was from 1 Samuel 25. This tells the story of Nabal, a greedy man, and his wife, Abigail. This is a story of vengeance and mercy. Go read this story so that you are familiar with it.

David and his men had kept watch over Nabal’s sheep for a long while. When it came time to shear the sheep, David asked Nabal to supply his men with food for a feast day. Nabal refused. David was angry and strapped on his sword. He also told his 400 men to do the same. He intended to exact vengeance upon Nabal and his household.

One of Nabal’s men told Abigail about this and she intervened. She immediately took bread, wine, sheep prepared for eating, grain, fig cakes, and raisins to David and his men. Abigail’s words kept David from taking the lives of Nabal and his men. He extends mercy because of the mercy extended to him by Abigail. When Abigail told Nabal these things, the LORD struck Nabal and he died.

David up on hearing this declared, Blessed be the LORD who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal. And has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The Lord has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head (1 Samuel 25: 39 ESV). Then, David took Abigail as his wife.

Vengeance and Mercy - 4 Lessons @DDuPreeWilliams #faith #mercy #KeepYourEyesOnJesus Share on X

LESSON 1 – EVERYONE NEEDS AN ABIGAIL

Do you have a friend or relative who always speaks truth to you, no matter how they know you may react to hearing it? Have you ever been that person? Abigail wasn’t afraid of telling David that vengeance wasn’t what God would want from him. Especially since he had been anointed king over his people. She knew David needed to be just, as God expected. And she wasn’t afrid to speak this truth to him. Justin pointed us to Proverbs 27:6 ESV – Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

LESSON 2 – NEVER BE A NABAL

Justin read verse three again. He noted that before we even knew his name, we were told that Nabal was a very wealthy man with a thousand sheep and a thousand goats. Now, the fact that we hear this about him first, before we know his name, speaks volumes. Most of would always introduce those we know by name. And I doubt we’d ever refer to someone’s financial means. This tells us just how greedy a man Nabal was. He cared only what someone could do for him and nothing about what he may be able to do for someone else.

LESSON 3 – VENGEANCE NEVER PROVIDES WHAT IT PROMISES

In his mind, David thought that taking vengeance against Nabal would make him feel better and solve all his momentary problems. It may have in the short term, but then, he would have had to live with the guilt of having Nabal’s and all those innocent people’s blood on his hands. He was blessed that Abigail came along and reminded him of this. Justin reminded us what Romans 12:21 has to say: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (ESV). Those are good words to keep in mind when our minds take us to that place David found himself.

LESSON 4 – MERCY IS THE CURRENCY OF THE KINGDOM

Justin reminded us that we are never more like Jesus than when we extend mercy. He cited the story of Corrie Ten Boom. When she was in Ravensbrück, one of the guards there saw her daily as she walked naked in front of him. Years later, after the war ended, she was giving a talk and who should come up to her but this guard. His face was imprinted on her mind. She knew him right away. He extended his hand and asked for forgiveness and mercy. She had a choice to make. Sometimes those three words, I forgive you, are the most difficult we will ever speak. But would you rather be like Nabal or like Jesus? Miss Ten Boom chose to be like Jesus. She forgave this guard.

Remember that vengeance will never give you what the mercy of God can. “Fix your eyes on Jesus and repay evil with good,” Dr. Justin Alexander.

Blessings, y’all!

I’ve never heard this, but I like it.