Husband, Love Your Wife

There was a wealthy man from Maon who owned property near the town of Carmel. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, and it was sheep-shearing time. This man's name was Nabal, and his wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beautiful woman. But Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, was crude and mean in all his dealings.  (1 Samuel 25:2-3 NLT)

David is still on the run from Saul and he needs food/provisions for himself and the band of men who are now hanging out with him.  They decide to ask a man who is wealthy enough to help: Nabal.

"Who is this fellow David?" Nabal sneered to the young men. "Who does this son of Jesse think he is? There are lots of servants these days who run away from their masters. Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I've slaughtered for my shearers and give it to a band of outlaws who come from who knows where?" (1 Samuel 25:10-11 NLT)

Nabal didn't get it.  David and his men had been helping Nabal's estate stay safe.  No, this isn't a situation where David is asking for "protection money" from Nabal.  He's simply asking for help.  Had Nabal helped David or even turned David down in a kinder way, things may have gone differently.  But Nabal is feeling a little too full of himself.  He's the "king" of his "castle" and he wants everyone to know it.  God's anointed one, the future King of Israel, is asking for help.  Nabal doesn't even take the time to find out all the facts.  More than that, he doesn't take the time to ask God.  It creates big problems for him.

So David's young men returned and told him what Nabal had said. "Get your swords!" was David's reply as he strapped on his own. Then 400 men started off with David, and 200 remained behind to guard their equipment. (1 Samuel 25:12-13 NLT)

Nabal didn't understand the magnitude of his arrogance.  He also didn't realize the destruction it would bring on his household.  But his wife understood.

When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. She fell at his feet and said, "I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don't pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the young men you sent. "Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, since the LORD has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies and those who try to harm you be as cursed as Nabal is. And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men. Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. The LORD will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the LORD's battles. And you have not done wrong throughout your entire life. "Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the LORD your God, secure in his treasure pouch! But the lives of your enemies will disappear like stones shot from a sling! When the LORD has done all He promised and has made you leader of Israel, don't let this be a blemish on your record. Then your conscience won't have to bear the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance. And when the LORD has done these great things for you, please remember me, your servant!" (1 Samuel 25:23-31 NLT)

Guys, I just feel the need to say this today.  Get off your selfish high-horse and start appreciating, respecting, and honoring your wife today.  If your not married yet, this applies to you just the same.  Get rid of any self-centered, arrogant, egotistical, narcissistic thoughts that come into your mind and start treating women with respect.  Women you are not married to should be treated with respect and purity like a sister - someone you would watch out for and want to protect from any evil.  Your wife (or future wife) is your life-partner who brings much to the table for your lifetime together.  She is your first and best teammate in life.  It's time to see her and treat her that way.

Nabal blew it.  He was so caught up in himself that he endangered everyone around him.  His wife saved the day.  David decided not to attack and kill their household.  The day was saved...for his household.

When Abigail arrived home, she found that Nabal was throwing a big party and was celebrating like a king. He was very drunk, so she didn't tell him anything about her meeting with David until dawn the next day. In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him what had happened. As a result he had a stroke, and he lay paralyzed on his bed like a stone. About ten days later, the LORD struck him, and he died.  (1 Samuel 25:36-38 NLT)

Husbands, love your wives.  Single men, love your future wives enough to treat women today with respect. When we "man up" like this, things will go much better than they did in this story.