First Samuel 25 Anger and Restraint
From 2Timothy2.org
Contents
- 1 Objectives
- 2 Introduction
- 3 Main Body
- 4 Conclusion
Objectives
Cognitive Objectives
- Students will be able to describe the ways in which Nabal wronged David.
- Students will be able to describe David's anger including why he was angry and how he initially intended to respond to his anger.
- Students will be able to describe how David responded to Abigail's call for restraint.
Affective Objectives
- Students will relate David's feelings of anger to times in which they were angry over wrongs committed against them.
- Students will consider how they have reacted to anger in the past and how those reactions have felt.
- Students will be confident that God alone is the judge.
Theme
- David may have had good reason to be angry with Nabal but chose to act with discretion and allowed God to judge Nabal. God chose to judge Nabal and bless David. Anger itself is not necessarily wrong but the way in which we act upon that anger can be wrong.
Introduction
Main Body
Introducing Nabal
The Man (v. 2-3)
According to verse 2, was Nabal a wealthy man?
- Nabal was a very wealthy man
How does verse 3 compare and contrast each of Nabal and Abigail?
- Verse 3 describes Nabal as harsh and badly behaved but it describes Abigail as discerning and beautiful. The word for discerning is that of someone with good sense. In other words, Abigail was the sort of person who made good decisions. In contrast to Abigail, Nabal is described as someone who is harsh and badly behaved.
The Situation (v.4-9)
What action does David take in verses 4 and 5?
- David sent men to go and make a request of Nabal.
What request did David's men make?
- David's men asked for some undisclosed amount of food.
The Offense (v.10-12)
How does Nabal respond to David's request in verse 10?
- Nabal essentially mocks David claiming that he and his men are nothing more than a rogue band of men who have broken away from their master.
What was Nabal's answer to David's request?
- Nabal said no.
What do verses 15 and 16 teach us about what David had done for Nabal?
- The verses indicate that David and his men had provided special protection for Nabal and his estate.
Offended
The Initial Reaction (v. 13-17)
How did David respond to Nabal's answer?
- David told his men to prepare for battle
How did Nabal's men respond to Nabal's answer to David?
- Nabal's people realized that Nabal had done wrong and told Abigail of the problem.
The Plan (v. 18-22)
Diffusion
The Humble Response (v.23-27)
What actions did Abigail take that indicate humility in her approach to diffusing the situation?
- Bowed down
- Asked that the guilt be charged to her
- Acknowledged Nabal's worthlessness
- Elevated David
The Hope of Promise (v.28-29)
What does Abigail remind David of?
- God had promised David a sure house
- God would fight David's battles.
- God would provide for David's righteousness
The Importance of Innocence (v.30-31)
What reasons does Abigail give for David to restrain himself?
- Abigail wants David to have a clear conscience
- Abigail wants notes that David should not try to work his own salvation.
Judgement
The Judge (v.38-39)
According to verses 38 and 19, who judges Nabal?
- God judges Nabal
The Blessing (v.42)
How does God bless David?
- God provides David with a wife.
