Beauty and Two Beasts, Part 2

She hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. What you doing is treating him like a king.

She fell at his feet and said let not my Lord regard this worthless fellow of all, whereas his name is so is he. That's another way of saying David look before you strike back, consider the source. What you expect from a foolish man, but foolish action don't get down in the gutter with him to do his love Mabel was with the QuickTime that got him into trouble but Mabel was married to a wise and God-fearing woman named Abigail. Abigail was able to gently and calmly defuse the situation. Do you have any foolish people in your life.

I hope you don't have many, but if you do this lesson is for you as we look at this account today working on learn some important principles for dealing with foolish people. This is wisdom for the heart with Stephen Stevens calling today's lesson the beauty and to base. I've been aware as a pastor over these years of many women like applicant. One woman came to my mind in particular who no longer attends move the WebCam several years ago she would be beaten if she attended church without her husband should ask every week. She demonstrated incredible perseverance and insights, and patience. I don't want occasion, she came up to me and asked for prayer so that she might wisely approach her husband with the request that she attend a woman's special meeting here at church. I couldn't help but think she is married to a fool who doesn't know what he has in her. I wonder how many wives today in the evangelical church at large who have to discreetly give money to the Lord. How many women suffer silently because they love the Lord is much as their husband loves his career path which toys his game.

His stuff.

How many women have insight spiritually and their husbands are spiritually blind. There there living out the exhortation of the apostle Paul who commended believing women in the early church who were married to unbelieving Manor husbands who didn't act as believers who sanctified their homes and bless their husbands and their children more than their families could ever realize with their biblical insight in their spiritual dedication and godly commitment as I read this I want to tip my hat to every woman who can experience something of what she experienced major tribe increase know that as a backdrop, here comes the crisis worse for David heard in the wilderness.

The neighbor was sharing a sheep. So David sent 10 young man. And David said to the young men go to Carmel go to Nabel, and Rita in my name and the shellshocked you shall agree to peace medium peace Peter has piecemeal you have. I hear that you have shearers that you shepherds been with us and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. Ask your young man asked her shepherds will tell you if I let my young men find favor in your eyes with some of the feast day.

Please give whatever you have it handy your servants into your son David kindly tactfully asking him for food. By the way, if you go down to verse 15 one of the servants confirms that Abigail with these interesting words. He says you know it's true we we suffered no harm.

We did miss anything. When we were when we were in the fields as long as we went with them.

David Smith. They were all wall for 16 to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping sheep here here's here's what's happening. Roving bands of wrestlers would steal from flocks and herds surly the Philistines would making the life of a shepherd. All the more dangerous but not when David and his men were rather like a wall. They protected the shepherds of Babel and the flocks from being stolen.

In fact, they didn't take any of them, which reveal some of their character this season blackmailed by the way, David is in some mafia guy asking you for payment for protection would be typical for farmers and ranchers that cut to tip the waiter here, so to speak, to give for those who provided protection for the shepherds and their flocks and performed a wonderful service without being asked and now it was appropriate. Can you give us some food.

Sheep shearing furthermore was a time of celebration. David is waiting for the most positive moment, the most advantageous moment when everybody would be feeling generous. The crops are in the sheep are sure for Nabel to provide food. Notice is rather shocking reply verse 10 Nabel answered David servants who is David who was the son of Jesse as he think he is the stinging accusation notice there are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Those are fighting words right there. Nabel is insinuating that David is rebelled against his master Saul you know he's roaming around the country with these good for nothings disloyal to the throne good for nothing. This is a scathing response in verse 11. Shall I take my bread and my water in my meat that I've killed for my shearers and give it to the man. These men who come from.

I do not know where just bite spit notices repeated use of minds is my bread, my water, my meat, my shearers is all about. I mean my terribly afflicted with the disease of me. He won't even give bread water to notice Nabel effectively says I don't know where you come from simply another way of saying you and your men means absolutely nothing to me.

If you took care of my shepherds for top-flight.

I didn't ask you to. I don't know you.

I can care less about the law. By doing this is political overtone to Nabel is denying David the respective the king elect effect if you're wondering maybe Nabel never heard of David legitimate question he would've known what his wife knew if I just listen to his wife look over verse 28. The latter part.

Listen to what she says to David, for the Lord will certainly make my Lord, referring to David a sure house. That word sure certain house refers to a royal dynasty political term she say David, we know you're the anointed one by God to sit on the throne as the Prince of Israel.

And we know that God will give your brain your house a royal dynasty. Nabel is saying here, you're nobody. I'm not going to tell you I'm not going to treat you as the king elect verse 12 to David Young men turned away and came back and told David all this.

David said he was man, every man strap on his sword get your guns on every man of them strapped on his sword.

David also strapped on his sword and about 400 men. This is overkill, literally 400 men went up after David while 200 remain with the baggage that is they stayed back to guard the camp that if you're wondering what David plans on doing. Let me eliminate any any question he he is not negotiating is even pack a peace pipe in there with the sword down verse 21. David said surely in vain.

I guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness so that nothing was missed of all belong to him and he has returned me evil for good, David. That's not new. Is it the king's been returning evil for your good for year, he says, verse 22 but God do so to the enemies of David Moore. Also by morning. I leave so much as one male alive was David and his men are going to slaughter this fool and all his descendents now, David has a right to be angry, but he doesn't have the right to murder anybody. Isn't it interesting that he knew he had no right to take vengeance against Saul now is ready to chop off heads, because he did get a dozen sheep and some wineskins as payment for dunking down with Nabel shepherds and keeping them safe. But don't miss it. David doesn't have a right to murder but he does have a right to be angry, be slow to anger. James 119 means there are times when you can be angry for the right thing to the right amount with the right intention.

I wonder if maybe you can identify here with David. Maybe you're still reeling from the fact that you've been recently. Perhaps she did. You shook hands. You kept your word. Maybe you even went above and beyond the call of duty. You worked hard you were faithful. Somebody forgot to pay for notice or reward. Even worse, your kindness was returned with harshness your service was intentionally overlooked your motives were misrepresented your self-sacrifice has been unrewarded. Maybe you are expecting a promotion or pay raise. Or maybe just a compliment or an honest response. Maybe just try to do a simple deed backfired held an older woman across the street and you got to the other side you hitch over that work with her own relatives.

You walk too fast.

I clip this news article some time ago happen recently, the Denver Post rented two teenage girls just on a whim decided to bake chocolate chip cookies and give them to their neighbors in their neighborhood living in my neighborhood that's a wonderful idea.

However, after baking the cookies. It was a little late at night just after 10. They decided to take the cookies only to the houses that have the lights on and knocked on the door of one home several houses down. The lights were on 49-year-old woman and so I didn't answer, but instead call the police. She would then complain that these girls caused her anxiety and she made a trip to the emergency room. The next day she sued these two young girls and one they had to pay her $900 fee to cover the emergency room visit the woman later told a reporter she hope the girls had learned their lesson. What lesson that she's a wacko didn't sound very spiritual did it is not in my notes I David Dean of the sinks are a lot higher. Obviously it is about no cookies but he is reacting with rage that is not consuming him he he actually has a bad case of disease of me I been insulted. I have been mistreated.

I have done right been treated wrong.

One of the shepherds informs Abigail that David is on the march verse 18, and Abigail made haste, and took 200 loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared about 30 quarts of parched grain and 100 clusters of raisin 200 takes of physics and lay them on donkeys. This is the original catering business and she is amazing and she all that verse 19 she said her young men gone before me, behold, I come after you. She did not tell her husband Nabel. She knows he never let her go.

He would cut off his nose to spite his face. He's unteachable, but diplomacy and Nabel don't show up in the same sentence, but David is about to commit a crime.

In fact, is about to do something that goes way beyond the crime and and Abigail perceives it all. She's going to deliver a speech as she reaches him eventually will get into the just above it, but it is I gotta tell you that it is an incredibly tactful wines discerning speech. She's obviously praying she travels toward the king elect. Keep in mind she has to confront him he's wrong and and as he's marching along his muttering under his breath. I watch that worthless man's sheep in his shepherds and he pays me nothing.

He is angry stop for just a moment on this path. Think about it David this past some really big tests of character. So far, with flying colors attempts on his life. Don't anger. His wife is taken away. He is an embittered, treacherous, deceptive king cannot stop his composing of what are now best known songs in Israel he's entrusting it all to God guide you take care of vindicating my character you take care of protecting me. I give myself to you, my rock, you're my refuge and now some egotistical sheepherder insults him that he's ready for murder is handled some big tests in life that was stumbling over a lesser test of this character.

The truth is temptation is always changing close to always adapting new strategies as the enemy exegetes your life, your reactions, responses is always changing his bait. Who would've thought to be a foolish old sheepherder. Let me outline Abigail's discerning comments and give them contemporary titles, sort of in our own vernacular sheet, but always been a step in between these two beasts are both acting like wild beasts of their both infected with the disease of me. I like to think of this scene is beauty and two beasts here. The first of five points in the speech of a lifetime is simply this. Don't stoop to a lower level.

The first thing she effectively says to David is don't stoop to a lower level. Verse 23 when Abigail saw David she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. What you doing she's treating him like a king. She fell at his feet and said a meal on my Lord be the guilt.

Please let your servant speak in your ears and hear the words of your servant. Let not my Lord regard this worthless fellow Nabel for as his name is so is he. Nabel all is his name and folly is with them. That's another way of saying David look before you strike back, consider the source. What you expect from a foolish man, but foolish words and foolish actions. Nabel is acting like May all don't. David don't get down on the gunner with him.

Don't stoop to his level. Secondly, Abigail effectively says don't take matters into your own hands. Verse 26 now than my Lord is the Lord lives in is your soul lives because the Lord has restrained you from blood guilt and from saving with notice your own hand she's she's gently reminding him that he's taking matters into his own hand as if to say, David is uncharacteristic of you from everything I've heard you have left your your your your past, present and future in the hands of God are already singing your song. She probably knew some of my heart.

David don't take matters into your own hands. Thirdly, Abigail says don't diminish her high calling. I love this reminder. Verse 28.

Please forgive the trespass of your servant for the Lord will certainly make my Lord sure house because my Lord is fighting the battles of the Lord of the Lord's David, your your battling the Philistines. We know you're our champion. These are the battles of the larger the protector of the nation. You're acting as a king to be acting you kill a foolish sheepherder is in a battle of the Lord stick to fighting battles in which the Lord is honored with a great reminder by the wafer for the church battle is spiritual, we fight for the souls of men and women were not fighting for creature comforts.

Our battle is in for the respect of our culture. No more battling for some kind of conservative resurgence when Jesus will come back because our neighbors don't like us, you haven't noticed, we're slipping back to the idolatry of Ephesus and the immorality of Corinth and the marginalization of the Empire of Rome. What countries around us have been facing who we are beginning to face the battle that is one by prayer or the battle of the Lord for the church is the winning and discipling of believers. It's inside out is the sound teaching of Scripture is the advancement of the gospel. The church isn't to mess around with fools like May Ball simply living up to his name. Nabel Jewett Nabel diminish her calling for the church, the reminder would be to stay the course and focus on the gospel. Fourthly, Abigail wisely rather courageously, cuts to the heart of David's sinful intentions by saying if I can contemporaries it don't play the part of God. Verse 29 of men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life. Life of my Lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God in the lives of your enemies, he shall swing out as from the hollow of the sling. This is absolutely brilliant, convicting, and encouraging Jesus to expressions here in this text that are loaded with subtle meaning in their culture.

They're getting on a journey to take her jewels and they did they did they'd wrap them up in a bundle of claws, like if you go to pottery starting traveling and maybe her at the airport nearby. Something is breakable.

Wrap it all that tissue paper because of the journey.

That's what they would do their precious jewels as they go on a journey she saying effectively. David, we know you're journeying to the throne of God has you in his bundle your one of this precious Jew God will take your that she ever so kindly reminds him of his greatest moment for God's power shown through him so wonderfully publicly when he ran at that giant Goliath with his slingshot.

Notice here effectively. She saying that God can take care of all of your enemies.

In just the same way that he used you with the sling against the giant lead to instructing a sword marching against an Israelite. For with the sword don't play the part of God. Don't stoop to a lower level.

Don't take matters into your own hands. Don't diminish your high calling one more. This is the finale to her amazing speech. Abigail says David. Don't forget your future. Verse 31 the Lord has done to my Lord, according to all the good that he spoken concerning you and is appointed you Prince over Israel, my Lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause. Taking vengeance himself, the Lord is still well with my Lord.

Remember, your servant David she saying here. Don't solely your royal robes of tomorrow with the blood of revenge and self-centeredness. David, you're angry about. Today, Abigail knew that if she acknowledged his anger by the I know you're angry about today. Just don't forget about tomorrow which is wonderful advice mother with every New Testament Christian. Paul knew he was writing. Christians were being mistreated, defrauded, ignored, marginalized the rights, don't forget that you shall one day judge Angel God can open the record of angelic service and allow us as his bride to literally render judgment restricted chapter 6 so is just his dad in your life is life unfair are those scales not balanced when it comes to you.

You've often wondered why we may not have an answer but but the answer here would be. Don't forget, tomorrow.

One day God will allow you to balance the scales of justice and he will reign with him in his kingdom. Annual judge.

Even the Angels by the life there's another implication in this insight from Abigail don't treat people the way you treat them because of who they are. Treat them the way you treat them because of who you are. Don't forget who you are. Who are you easy forget your followers of the son of David, slandered by Israel's leaders mopped concerning his birth to an unmarried woman denigrated in his disciples is nobody's denied his rightful place as King refused honorable worship he endured the worst of it and he endured it with joy.

How he knew his future beloved. Don't forget yours whatever momentary affliction you have, that's temporary it's going to be replaced by an incredible weight of glory. You sir are a crown prince you mail our crown prince. Your robes have already been sized my to be two sizes smaller.

Want to know ahead of time back to 38 along the forget who you going to summarize the rest of the Schechter okay here this week a flyover. David responds with humility transparency. He is teachable. Nabel is not teachable. Nabel will not listen. David listens he returns. Thanks. Abigail then returns back to his wilderness item. Abigail returns to find her husband drunk. The festival she waits and tells him the next morning of his close brush with death of her actions and it literally brings about a heart attack some kind of collapse.

10 days later God takes his life in judgment. David hears the news comes back and asks the president of this catering company to marry. She says yes.

Imagine, he married the woman straighten them out and all the women said that we better stop and all the men said that I thought was men. This example to hope. You are encouraged by this lesson today. This is wisdom for the hard with Stephen, Davey, Stephen is in a series on the life of King David called the singer.

This is lesson seven in that series and it's called the beauty into beasts. In addition to equipping you with these daily Bible lessons. We also have a magazine that includes articles written by Stephen to help you dive deeper into various topics related to the Christian life. The magazine also has a daily devotional guide that you can use to remain grounded in God's word every day. The magazine is called heart-to-heart.

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