King James Version
The Book of 1 Samuel
Chapter 25
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Commentary
by G. Neil Armstrong
It seems that somehow everyone knew that David would be the next king, not the eldest son of Saul. It had been the tradition that the eldest son of the king would be king, except under certain specific circumstances. David was neither a son of Saul, nor was he the eldest. David was the anointed of God. Abigail knew that David would be next on the thrown. She dealt wisely with David when her husband did not. God avenged Nabal, Abigail’s husband. David purposed in his heart to deal revenge unto Nabal, but Abigail brought David peace offerings and meat for him and his men. This act blessed David’s heart and he decided to not raise a hand against Nabal and his house.
Ten days after Nabal dealt hard with David, God had smote him, that he died. David did not forget the goodness and appropriate actions of Abigail. She was intelligent and beautiful, but she also had courage. She took action to make right what her late husband had done wrong. David asked her to marry him and she accepted.
At the time, David was a fugitive. At times his heart grieved because of the way Saul was dealing with him. Saul’s efforts in pursuing David were more significant than his enemies. David was not an enemy. In fact, David proved to Saul that he was not an enemy in chapter 24 when he cut off Saul’s skirts and could have killed him. Saul turned away and left David in peace. They even made a covenant between each other. This must have brought a measure of peace to David’s heart because now he had made occasion to get married to Abigail. He even married again, to a woman named Ahinoam.
When we find ourselves in situations that we cannot change or control, our whole world doesn’t have to stop. We can learn to deal with issues on a day to day basis and still have better days. We can continue on with our lives and strive for a better future. Sometimes we can only get better if we live as though we already are. This is not denying the problem, this is “getting over it”. If we can continue to build for a better future, we can have that better future in time. We have to put ourselves in a position to receive the blessings of God. For example, if someone wants to bless me with a car I need to be in a position to receive that car. I need to be able to afford insurance and I need to have a valid driver license. I need to know how to fix some things on a car, or be able to afford repairs. I would need gainful employment and keep my basic bills low enough to accommodate the costs of a car. Then I can receive a car, either by purchase or if someone gave me one.
David was in a position to receive a wife. Saul had made peace with David and they made a covenant between each other. David was also in a position to receive the kingdom. He had a heart for God. He always acknowledged God’s hand in everything. This was very well pleasing to God. At that time there was no blessing more powerful to a person than to receive a kingdom. This wasn’t just any kingdom, either. This was the greatest nation on the face of the earth. This was the kingdom of Gods chosen People, blessed by God forever.
What is it that your heart longs for? What thing do you seek after? What would it take to receive it? Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. What is the kingdom of God? You must be born of the water and of the Spirit in order to see the kingdom of God. Are you born again? Have you received the Holy Ghost? This is where you have to start. Read the book of Acts, especially chapter 2. When you “see” the kingdom of God, that is, to begin to understand the ways of God, then you will begin to understand His will for your life. When you can do this, you will begin to receive that which had so far been just out of reach.
