David and Abigail

Scripture:

1 Samuel 25:1-44

Quick Summary:

David is still on the run from King Saul. He asks for some food from a farm owner named Nabal after protecting his shepherds and flock. Nabal refuses and David decides its time to pillage Nabal’s home. On the way, Abigail, Nabal’s wife runs out to meet David with food for his band of soldiers. By her generosity, she saved everyone in her household including the farmhands. When Nabal dies naturally 2 weeks later, David takes Abigail as his wife. 

The Point:

Rebel against what is wrong.

Questions for Family Time:

1.     Why was David mad at Nabal?

a.      Nabal refused to share food

2.     What was David going to do because he was mad?

a.      He was going to kill everyone at Nabal’s house, even the shepherds.

3.     What happened?

a.      Abigail stopped David by apologizing and bringing him food. She was a hero.

Deeper:

One of the most famous psychology studies after the Holocaust studied our willingness to follow orders we know are wrong. It was performed after hearing numerous workers of concetration camps claim they “were just doing their job.” This studied demonstrated that when we are told to do something, good people often obey, regardless of how bad it is. It is easier for us to follow the authority than to do what is right.

      While all of us want to raise obedient children, I think it is important for us to teach them there are times when we should be disobedient. There are times when a friend tells our kid to pick on another kid. There are times when an older teenager tells our kid to have a drink when they shouldn’t. There are times when adults may tell kids to do things that are not safe or kind. We want our kids to be ready. We want them to know that blind obedience is not the way of God.

Abigail risked her life by going behind her husband’s back. She risked being beaten by him. She risked being thrown out. She risked having to live the rest of her life under his scorn. She took the risk of disobedience because she knew the risk of obedience was worse. She knew that by doing nothing she and everyone she loved would die. She knew innocent lives were at stake. Abigail decided those lives meant more than her comfort. By doing so, she saved lives.

I hope I am like Abigail. I hope that when those moments come when what I am told to do is not right, I will choose to disobey. I hope that I will choose to risk my own comfort that others may live. I hope that for my children. I hope it for all who claim to believe in God and follow Jesus.

Personal Reflection:

               When have you had to choose between being obedient and doing what is right?