1 Samuel 25:36 When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So, she told him nothing at all until daybreak. 37 Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him, and he became like a stone. 38 About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.

Commentary: Nabal made a big mistake, but basically drowned it with booze. He loved himself so much that he lived like a king and enjoyed it, not being aware that his wrong action could have wiped out all the males in his household, that he would lose a life, and leave all the females defenceless and his wealth basically wiped out.

Yes, giving some provisions to David and his men would make him poorer, but Nabal put himself in a position where his whole wealth was at stake.

Reflection: Can I lead such life of carelessness towards others and create my own reality without knowing the true reality around me?

Can I lack gratitude for what others are doing that I might think that all good most likely is coming from me?

I am wondering whether when Nabal was told what had happened recently by Abigail his wife, whether he took time to reflect on it, thank his wife for what she has done and apologize to her and try to make amends with David or did he basically harden his heart even more and that is what it means that he turned into a stone?

Prayer: O Lord, help me live in a real world, humbly and always willing to be of help to others around me. Amen

Commentary: Verse 37 might be on good verse to get more cross reference verses for the sake of clarification:

Exodus 15:16 …and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.

Joshua 2:11 When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.

Commentary: This was the account of the people who lived in Jericho, including Rahab and her family.

Joshua 5:1 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted, and their spirits failed for fear of the Israelites.

Commentary: God has done great and marvellous things for his people and the surrounding nations got to witness that.

2 Samuel 17:23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So, he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

Commentary: It was told that words of the Ahithophel were carried out as if the Lord spoke and commanded. As we read in this text, even the smartest people in this world fail but the word of the Lord does not. We need to remember that previously this is what David did:

2 Samuel 15:31 Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So, David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

Commentary: These kinds of prayers are biblical. We might think twice before praying this way, but this prayer of David is recorded in God’s word.

2 Samuel 18:14 But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this with you!” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree.

Commentary: Three spears could be the use of an excessive force we would say today!

1 Kings 21:27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.

Reflection: All of us, speaking from my personal experience, need to take a humbling pill from time to time. It is good for our spiritual health and our salvation.

2 Kings 19:35 And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!

Isaiah 37:36 Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!

Commentary: When Jesus said to us in John 10:10b that He gives us a life of abundance, I do believe He meant a life of abundance of protection. This is what our guardian angel is capable of. However, if we are not in the battle, we keep our guardian angel inactive.

Job 15:21-22 Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him. / He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword.

Psalm 73:19 How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!

Isaiah 13:7-8 Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt. / Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear.

Isaiah 21:3-4 Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see. / My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight I desired has turned to horror.

Daniel 5:6, 30 his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together. That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain,

Matthew 27:3-5 When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” / So, Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Commentary: The actual danger for us about the world around us is that we focus on negativities in the world. We panic, we tremble with fear, we fall into despair and that that world of negativities becomes reality for us. When negativity grips us, we may end up like Belshazzar or Judas Iscariot.

Prayer: Even though negativities are prevalent around the world we live in dear Lord, may we pray and read Your word to be lifted up above the negativities and horrors around us. May we be the solution by offering the solution found in Christ to the pains of this world rather than a part of the pain, fear and terror. Amen

Peter Caran

Pastor of Cobourg and Harmony Churches