Psalm 34:14 and 1 Peter 3:11 both say the exact same thing: seek peace and pursue it. As children of God we must seek peace and pursue it. In last week’s lesson we looked at 5 tactics we can deploy to pursue peace: deal with conflict biblically, take the initiative, practice restraint, prepare for a journey, and trust God.
This week’s lesson focused on peacemakers in action as we looked at the story of David, Nabal, and Abigail as recorded in 1 Samuel 25. There were three peacemakers in this story. First, there was David, who was living in the desert of Paran because he was fleeing from Saul who was trying to kill him. David was fleeing from Saul in order to pursue peace. While in the desert David and his men watched out for Nabal’s flocks, protecting them from natural predators and bands of marauders. Nabal was a very wealthy man but part of his prosperity could be attributed to the fact that David was vigilant in helping to protect Nabal’s herds and herdsmen. Nabal was known for being surly and mean in his dealings yet David was careful to do what was right in the eyes of everyone (Romans 12:17).
At the time of the sheep shearing in Carmel, a festive time when friends and neighbors were invited to a great feast and the needy were taken care of, David sent ten of his men with a message to Nabal asking that Nabal give what he could find to David and his men. David’s request was gracious and respectful and was well within what any reasonable person of that time should have expected.
In fact, David should not have even had to ask Nabal, Nabal should have sent representatives to David inviting he and his men to the feast. That would have been the right and proper thing to do. Instead, Nabal answered David’s gracious request rudely, insulting David and his men in the process. Up to that point David had been living out the principles of Romans 12:18: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Up until ow David had been seeking peace and pursuing it (1 Peter 3:11) he had been making every effort to do what leads to peace (Romans 14:19). But now David is rightfully angry but instead of continuing to pursue peace, he now seeks revenge.
This is where the second peacemaker comes in to play. 1 Samuel 25:14-17 tells us how one of Nabal’s servants, a young man (1 Samuel 25:14 NASB) approached Nabal’s wife Abigail with a plea to pursue peace with David. This servant vouched for everything David had said and warned Abigail that if something wasn’t done to pursue peace that disaster would come on Nabal’s family and servants. And that brings us to the third peacemaker of this story, Abigail.
1 Samuel 25:18 says that Abigail acted quickly. She quickly prepares a feast for David and his men, and then rides out to meet David with an apology that sets a new standard for courtesy in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 25:23-31). Yet wrapped in her courteous words are some hard truths David needs to hear. David listens to Abigail, 1 Samuel 25:35 says that David heard her words, so David stands down and a catastrophe is averted.
All three of these individuals: David, Abigail, and the servant displayed 4 character traits of a peacemaker. They were humble, respectful, courageous, and wise. The servant had the wisdom to go to Abigail instead of Nabal. it took courage to approach a woman instead of his boss but he did so with humility and respect. It took courage for Abigail to ride out and meet David and her words were humble and respectful. Abigail was also wise in not telling Nabal until after she had done this and after Nabal was sober (1 Samuel 25:36-37). As for David, a mighty and passionate warrior who could lose his temper, he had the humility to stop and listen to this woman’s plea for peace. he had the wisdom to recognize the good advice he was getting and he had the courage to let go of his pride and stand down. And just as he was in his initial plea to Nabal, David treated Abigail with the utmost respect.
The story began with David pursuing peace and that is also how it ended but not without the help of a wise and courageous servant and a wise and courageous woman. In what ways may God be calling you to exercise influence to bring about peace? In what ways may God be calling you to humbly listen to what others have to say in order to pursue peace? What courage do you need from God to do the next right thing?