1. The Man Was Very Wealthy: The first thing we learn about this man is where he lived (Maon) and that his property (and work) was in Carmel. He was very wealthy, owning three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. Unfortunately, he had no wealth in knowledge, understanding, or wisdom. Nabal was indeed rich, but only in possessions. 2. He Was Shearing His Sheep in Carmel: This was a "harvest time." While Nabal was shearing his sheep among the rocky terrain of Carmel, his flocks were under David’s protection. None of them were harmed or lost during the days they spent together in the field. David’s men were like a wall of protection for them, both day and night, while they were tending the sheep. So David sent his servants, saying, "Go up to Carmel, enter Nabal’s house, and greet him in my name. Say to him: ‘Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have.’" "Peace"—what a beautiful word! But does the world truly value it? There is one thing the world cannot provide or buy with money: peace. As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace!" The world speaks of joy, desire, and happiness, but never mentions peace—because it does not know it. "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." (Isaiah 48:22). David reminded Nabal that he had protected his flocks and requested a share of provisions in return for his efforts. However, Nabal responded with insults, saying: "Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? I do not know where these men come from." Nabal did not recognize David as the Lord’s anointed, the future king of Israel. He also failed to see David as the savior who had delivered the nation from the Philistine giant, Goliath, who taunted God’s people for forty days. This story presents David as a symbol of Jesus Christ, who "was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him." (John 1:10-11). Nabal also said: "Shall I take my bread, my water, and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to men whom I do not know?" This is reminiscent of the rich fool in Luke 12, who said, "My barns, my crops, my goods, my soul." Since Nabal rejected peace, he would now face judgment. He had mocked and dismissed a message of mercy. Ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal, and he died. David’s men returned to him and reported all that had happened. Abigail—A Symbol of Spiritual Maturity: Abigail represents the spiritually mature believer. She was also wealthy but used her riches wisely and prudently. She presented David with gifts fit for a king:
Bread,
symbolizing Christ as the Bread of Life.
Wine skins,
pointing to the joy we have in Christ.
Five prepared sheep,
representing Christ as the sacrificial Lamb.
Five measures of roasted grain,
signifying Christ being cut off in the prime of His life and tested by fire.
Raisins,
indicating the abundant joy found in Christ.
Figs,
symbolizing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Christ.
Abigail presented these gifts to David and bowed before him. A true worshiper offers to Christ what belongs to Him with a heart of devotion. She acknowledged David as her lord, just as believers declare: "I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from You, I have no good thing.’" (Psalm 16:2). Through Abigail, the Lord kept David from shedding blood and committing wrongdoing. We see here that the Lord rewarded Abigail with David sending word to her, asking her to become his wife.
The Blessings of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:17-21) Wisdom declares: "I love those who love me." Those who seek wisdom will find their reward: "Those who seek me early will find me." Wisdom brings riches, honor, and righteousness. It actively seeks out those who follow it in order to bless them: "I bestow wealth on those who love me and fill their treasuries." "With me are riches and honor." It is a paradox: When people seek wealth, it corrupts them, but when they seek wisdom, it grants them true riches. This is evident in Solomon’s request: "Give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong." (1 Kings 3:9). God’s response is recorded in : (1 Kings 3:11-13). May the Lord Jesus grant us the wisdom to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to us. Amen. Iman Karras