Nabal and Abigail March 13, 2007
Posted by Han in : Relationship with God , trackbackThere is a very important story in the bible which we cannot neglect is found in 1 Samuel 25. It is about a couple by the name of Nabal and Abigail. Nabal lived in Maon, whose properties were in Carmel; he was very wealthy, and he had 3000 sheep and 1000 goats; and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. Nabal, was surly and mean in his dealings where else Abigail, was an intelligent and beautiful woman.
The story started when David sent his men to Nabal. He requested Nabal to make some provision for them during the time of celebration. However Nabal ignored his request and treated the men very rudely and harshly. He regarded David as a man of insignificant and not worth taking notice of.
David’s men turned around and returned back. When they arrived, they reported every word to David. Immediately, David commanded his men to put on their swords and armed for battle. This incident was made known to Abigail. And without losing any time, she took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. Abigail presented these gifts to David and persuaded David from killing Nabal. The story ended with the death of Nabal, and Abigail was taken as David’s wife.
From this story, I want to share to you a very destructive and deadly attitude which is called PRIDE. It has the power to bring one down. It has the power to destroy your ministry, relationship and life. Therefore, never under estimate its power! The scary thing about PRIDE is when you are achieving big things; it slips in quietly without your knowledge. When people are clapping their hands, admiring and praising you; SUDDENLY…your heart is singing softly…HOW GREAT I AM…HOW GREAT I AM! Therefore you must be cautious.
THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF PRIDE:
1) Pride closes a person ears.
David treated Nabal very well; he did not mistreat their shepherds, and most of the time when they were at Carmel, nothing was found missing. But Nabal refused to listen! He simply ignored David.
When one is prideful, you are unable to talk to him. He does not want to listen to your advice. He does not want to accept your feedback. He does not want to listen to anyone. He only wants to give instruction. He only listens to himself!
2) Pride blinds a person eyes.
Nabal answered David’s men, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse?…”
It is a strange thing! Nabal did not know who David was but Abigail knew. He was the appointed leader of Israel. See! Pride blinds a person. He failed to see the future king! He only sees himself. He only considers himself as important.
Beware of PRIDE! It only think highly of people of equal status and level.
3) Pride makes a person thinks of himself.
Nabal was very wealthy. He has everything. He was inconsiderate. With his power and wealth, he taught he can simply disregard David. He taught only of himself.
Pride simply looks down and disregards others. Pride often forgets where it starts from, the beginning – a lowly position!
4) Pride promotes and protects ‘self’.
Pride is an attitude within, when you peel off its skin, it is “self” sited on the throne of the heart. It often promotes and protects ‘self’. It looks only to its own interest and ignore others’ feeling. It is selfish.
5) Pride exalts oneself.
Pride exalts oneself. It exalts one based on what he has physically; power, riches, fames, popularity and accomplishments.
You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.” Isa 14:13
The above verse is a description of Satan, Lucifer who wanted to ascend to heaven and raised his throne above the stars of God. But look at what happened in Isa 14:12, he was cast down!
Conclusion
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:5-6
In 1 Peter 5:5-6, God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble. Pride hinders you to grow but with humility God will carry you through achievement and accomplishment behind the cross. Remember, where you started when you first begin!
All the Best,
Han
Comments»
TRUE!!!
sometimes my male ego and pride takes over rational
and hope with my effort and with God’s help
i can prevent it from happening
Dear Cody, when I was writing this article, God reminded me something which I put at the last sentence of this article - “Remember, where you started when you first begin!”. All of us started from level zero. And when we rise to a certain level, let us not forget where we first begun and most important it is God who brought us to such a great height. I guess one of the best way to keep our male ego and pride in check is to be humble always.