Day 116: David and Abigail

Today's readings: 1 Samuel 25 and Psalm 63.

I. 1 Samuel 25 begins with a quick note that Saul dies and is buried while Israel mourns. Then quickly, we are shifted to a story of David being insulted by a rich man. Nabal, living in Maon, is approached by some of David's men, seeking provisions. He contemptuously rebuffs them. David, hearing of this, sets out with his men to destroy Nabal's household in revenge for the insult. Abigail, Nabal's wife, is told of all this and rushes to David with gifts to avert disaster. She falls before David and gives a moving speech that changes his mind. David praises God and Abigail's wisdom, accepts the gifts, and calls off the attack. When Abigail returned home, Nabal had been drunkenly feasting. He died ten days later, with the text explicitly saying that his death was due to God's judgment rather than David's sword. After this, David wooed Abigail to be his wife, which she accepted. The chapter ends by noting that David also married Ahinoam of Jezreel and that Saul, before he died, had given his daughter Michal, also David's wife, to Palti, son of Laish. Cue the ominous underscore, because giving another man his first wife will not sit well with David.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

David is not perfect. Though he is an Old Testament hero, who is portrayed as a type (or, figure) of the future Messiah, he has faults. The people following David see him as a just and upright leader. We often look to those who lead us to know how to act, and we benefit from just leaders. Abigail stands up to the evil in David's heart, demonstrating her wisdom and courage. David seeks revenge due to a personal insult. Abigail stands in David's way not only to protect Nabal's life but also to protect David from guilt. (p. 248)

II. Psalm 63 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm. The speaker compares his desire for God to a burning thirst that leaves him parched and exhausted. He yearns to worship in the Lord's sanctuary, the place where his presence is most tangibly experienced. In the meantime, his sleepless nights are spent meditating upon God and his divine help. The prayer ends with the Psalmist confident that his enemies will come to judgment. (p. 882)

That's it for today!