1 Samuel 25:1 "And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, ..."

Saul failed the nation spiritually - their sad loss was to remain unreplaced until David took the throne.

Rich, foolish Nabal's refusal in the face of established custom, made him as being rightly named. Or nicknamed? His name means "fool". His repeated use of the word "my" in 1 Samuel 25:11 reminds us of the other rich 'fool' in Luke 12:18-20.

David did not touch Saul, and left all in God's hands. Affronted by Nabal's refusal and insults, David was prepared to take everything into his own hands and kill (1 Samuel 25:10-13 ). It is so with us - we can recognize the greater temptation and fall before the lesser.

1 Corinthians 10:12 "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

Abigail's example:

	Wise in listening (1 Samuel 25:14-17 ).
	Prudent action (1 Samuel 25:18-23 ).
	Careful explanation (1 Samuel 25:24-25 ).
	Wise counsel (1 Samuel 25:26 ).
	Perceptive insight (1 Samuel 25:27-31 ).

1 Samuel 25:26 "... since the Lord has held you back from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, ..."

Abigail's prudent action saved David from "grief", "offence", and "bloodshed without cause" - actions unbecoming to the future "ruler over Israel." (1 Samuel 25:30 KJV).

Note David's full acceptance, his repentance and thanksgiving to the Lord for using Abigail (1 Samuel 25:32-35 ). Those who deal unrighteously with God's servants can be left in His hands (1 Samuel 25:36-38 ).

1 Samuel 25:38 "And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died."

Righteous actions will be followed by God's rewarding.

1 Samuel 25:39,42 "So when David heard that Nabal was dead, ... David sent and proposed to Abigail, to take her as his wife.⁴² ... and she followed the messengers of David, and became his wife."

Sad that the chapter ends with polygamy, which was to cause great misery in the royal house (1 Samuel 25:43-44 ).

David's polygamy was not provided for in the law - significantly Saul's renewed persecution followed (1 Samuel 25:43 to 26:3 ). There is a lesson behind every chastisement (Hebrews 12:10 ). God is faithful in His governmental dealings with us.

1 Samuel 26:2 "Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, ... to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph."

"How soon do unsanctified hearts lose the good impressions which their convictions have made upon them, and return with the dog to their vomit." Matthew Henry

The worst about another should not be believed until it is checked out.

1 Samuel 26:4 "David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come ..."

When someone is delivered supernaturally into our hand it is wrong to assume its for destruction.

"David recognised sovereignty over the life of Saul, and believed that God would remove him from office in His own perfect time" Ryrie

Going into Saul's camp and out again taking Saul's spear and jug of water was through supernatural intervention.

1 Samuel 26:12 "... a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them."

David recognised this divine assistance was for convincing grace, and not for judgment.

Pride of high office can blind to personal vulnerability (1 Samuel 26:13-16 ).

1 Samuel 26:14 "... "Who are you, calling out to the king?""

Abner, the general of Saul's army so despised David and his men, that he did not keep awake, or, it seems, set proper guard - David rightly charged him with neglect (1 Samuel 26:13-16 ). Pride of position can make such office-bearers presumptuous.

David's well presented plea gave Saul opportunity to reconsider - Saul makes more promises (1 Samuel 26:21 ), but he will prove unable to keep them because they are not accompanied with true repentance. Even when it is known that a Saul kind of heart is being appealed to, the effort must be made.

David would not stretch out his hand against Saul (1 Samuel 26:22-24 ) because his heart was after God. Even enemies recognize that "he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11 ). Saul's last words are in the form of a blessing of David (1 Samuel 26:25 ), in which rightly David placed no confidence - and went his way - Saul faced the fact that David would prevail.

1 Samuel 27:1 "And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: ..."

Despairing of Saul ever changing, he felt terrible vulnerability, and let slip his confidence in God. Be watchful to maintain communion when experiencing the heady heights of victory.

1 Samuel 27:1 "... there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; ..."

To accomplish His purpose God can overrule our unwise decisions.

1 Samuel 27:4 "And it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath; so he sought him no more."

The now obvious rift between Saul and David, probably encouraged the Philistines and contributed to the final destruction of Saul. Further, the welcome of Achish at Gath, provided David and his people, soon obtaining Ziklak as a base. David was free from Philistine surveillance, and from there, raided the enemies of Judah, pretending to serve the interests of Achish. (1 Samuel 27:5-12 ).

1 Samuel 28:1 "Now it happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies together for war, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, "You assuredly know that you will go out with me to battle, you and your men.""

David never intended to fight his own people. In the emergency he answered in an ambiguous way - the story is picked up again in (1 Samuel 29:1 ).

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Why did the nation lament the death of Samuel? (1 Samuel 25:1 ). What would you like to see emulated from Samuel's ministry, in the lives of leaders today?
2. In which way did David benefit Nabal? (1 Samuel 25:7,15-16,21 ). What should your practical response be to those whose giftings benefit you?
3. Was Abigail right to act contrary to her husband's foolish treatment of David? (1 Samuel 25:14-26 ).
4. Do you think it is a sign of wisdom and maturity when a leader thankfully accepts wise counsel? (1 Samuel 25:32-35 ).
5. Can we leave in God's hands those who deal unrighteously? (1 Samuel 25:36-38 ). Is it just as true that righteous actions will be rewarded by God? (1 Samuel 25:39-42 ).
6. How would you define true repentance? Would returning to the sin repented of, be evidence that the repentance was not genuine? (1 Samuel 26:2 ).
7. Would you accept the worst said about someone without checking that it is true? (1 Samuel 26:4 )
8. Would you assume that when someone working evil against you, is supernaturally delivered into your hand that it is for destruction of that person? (1 Samuel 26:12 ).
9. Was David right to charge General Abner with negligence? (1 Samuel 26:13-16 ). What do you learn about your service?
10. Has the desire for vengeance any place in a heart after God? (1 Samuel 26:21-25 ).
11. Is it most difficult to continue doing the right thing while we are waiting for God to act? (1 Samuel 27:1-2 ). Can God, in accomplishing His purposes overrule our unwise decisions? (1 Samuel 27:4 ).
12. Was David's policy as a mercenary to comply with God's instruction of Joshua 13:2-3? (1 Samuel 27:2-3,10 ).
13. Will acceptance of favours from enemies of the Lord's people have long-term consequences? ( 1 Samuel 28:1-2 ). Did David's ambiguous answer show that he never intended to fight his own people? (1 Samuel 28:2 ).