Lesson #25

1SAMUEL 25
Lesson #25
LESSONS IN DEALING WITH THOSE IN AUTHORITY

• Memory Verse: Matthew 5:44
• The message in chapter 24 was to have a right attitude toward authority. The message in chapter 26 is the same as chapter 24. Sandwiched between these two chapters on right attitudes toward authority is a story of what happens when scripture is violated, and there are wrong attitudes toward authority.
• Read Pro 14:1

• Read 1Sam 25:1-22
• The death of Samuel was the removal of another of David’s crutches that forced him to rely totally on the Lord.
• Nabal and Abigail:
• The name Nabal means = fool.
• Nabal was a very wealthy man who had a lot of influence and power but no fear of the Lord.
• “…the man was churlish and evil in his doings…”

(3)

• The word, churlish, means = rude, austere, rough in manner and without feeling.
• The name Abigail means = cause of delight.
• Abigail was a woman who feared God but did not always use Godly wisdom in her actions.
• Notice that it says she had “good understanding”. (3)
• It is possible to have understanding of God’s ways, and still not use wisdom in one’s actions. It is like having knowledge but making wrong choices in life.
• The situation:
• David was still fleeing from King Saul with his small army.
• Life was very difficult for David because everyone feared King Saul.
• Everyone knew of Saul’s slaughter of priests who attempted to help David.
• Nabal lied in not knowing David, for he knew he was the son of Jesse. (10) His purpose was probably to maintain self-preservation so as not to incur wrath from King Saul.        
• We see Abigail’s attitude toward her husband in verse 25.
• While her statement is accurate in regards to Nabal’s spiritual condition. She does not help her marital relationship by tearing down her husband in the eyes of another person.
• Personal Actions, Attitudes, and the Violation of Scripture:
• The believer in God is responsible for his attitudes and actions before God. Wrong attitudes produce wrong actions that affect the situation and affect the attitudes and actions of those around the believer.
• David’s Violations of Kingdom Principles:

The Kingdom Principles:	The Violation:	Scripture:
Positions of authority deserve honor even when the person occupying that position is unworthy of honor.	David did not honor Nabal’s position by going himself. Instead he sent others to inquire of Nabal’s help. (5)	Rom 13:7 Phi 2:3
Anger sirs up strife but a soft answer maintains peace. (Pro 15 1, 18 Pro 16:22)	David became angry and did not control his reactions. (13)	Mat 5:22 1Joh 2:10
Vengeance belongs to God.	David took vengeance into his own hands (21-22)	Rom 12:19
God keeps his promises to those who trust Him (Psa 9:10)	David lacked faith in God’s provision	Phi 4:19

• The Servant’s Violations of Kingdom Principles:

The Kingdom Principle:	The Violation:	Scripture:
A negative report is evidence of a lack of faith.	He carried a negative report (14)	Exo 23:1 Num 14
An employer deserves honor because of his position of authority, even though the person in that position may not be worthy of honor.	The servant had not respect for his employer (17)	Eph 6:5-8

• Abigail’s Violations of Kingdom Principles:

The Kingdom Principle:	The Violation:	Scripture:
Faith is not built on a negative report. To the contrary, nothing positive comes from a negative report.	Abigail listened to a negative report (14)	Pro 15:30 Phi 4:8
Because the husband and wife are one flesh, she should support his decisions.	Abigail violated her husband’s decision (18)	Eph 5:22-23
A good marriage is enhanced by good communication.	Abigail did not communicate with Nabal. (19)	1Pet 3:4
Positions of authority deserve honor even when the person in that position is not worthy of honor.	Abigail did not honor her husband but instead expressed disloyalty that affected others in her household. (25)	Eph 5:33

• Proper attitudes and actions:
• If those involved in this situation had had proper attitudes and actions, the situation would have ended differently.
• Discussion

: What should David have done?

• David was tired of running.
• When we are tired and exhausted, we do not always make wise decisions. Instead we react in anger and frustration. Usually this occurs when we are pressured by others around us.
• This is the time when we need to get away with God and rest in Him.
• Discussion

: What should the servant have done?

• The servant probably learned his disrespect for authority from Abigail. However, he is still responsible for his own attitudes and actions.
• Therefore, he should have been the model in the household of respect for authority.
• Discussion

: What should Abigail have done?

• Abigail was in a very difficult marriage with a non-believer.
• She should not have joined herself in marriage to a non-believer for it is an unequal partnership. (2Cor 6:14)
• If she was not a believer when she married him, she should have maintained a meek and quiet spirit as a testimony to her husband.
• Read 1Pet 3:1-1 5.
• Abigail should have made a Godly appeal to her husband. What is a Godly appeal?

• The Balance Between Obedience and a Godly Appeal:

• Obedience requires that the believer knows the wishes and goals of those in authority and makes a determination to fulfill them.
• Appeal requires that the believer knows the standards of God and makes a determination not to violate them no matter the consequences.
• How to Make an Appeal to Authority:

• =1= The believer must be in right standing with his authority and have a submissive attitude.
• =2= The believer must have a right basis for his appeal.
• The reputation of authority:
• You must convince authority that you have his reputation in mind and that his current actions will damage his reputation in society.
• You must convince authority that he is the authority, and that you have no desire to subvert his authority.
• You must convince authority that you understand his goals and desire to help him fulfill them.
• =3= The believer must appeal at the appropriate time:
• Appeal when your expectations are balanced.
• This means that you have prayed and submitted the situation to God’s will, so that you do not act on emotion.
• Appeal at a time when your authority can concentrate on it.
• It is important to pick the correct time from the authority’s point of view.
• Appeal when you are willing to sacrifice for it.
• If the matter is important, you must be willing to make some sacrifice for it, and convince your authority of the sacrifice you are willing to make.
• =4= In making your appeal, the believer must give accurate information.
• You must not lie or distort the facts, for God will not honor deception.
• =5= The believer must have right attitudes and Godly motives.
• The right attitudes are genuine love, loyalty, and a servant’s spirit of humility.
• =6= The believer must use the right words.
• Use positive words.
• Use humble words that display your true motives.
• =7= The believer must display a right response if your appeal is rejected.
• A wrong response will damage your relationship, your credibility, and your right to ever appeal to that authority in any subsequent situation.
• Read 1Sam 25:23-35
• Abigail’s appeal to David
• Discussion:

Compare Abigail’s appeal to David with the previous list of How to Appeal to Authority.

• Did she have a proper attitude? (23)
• Did she appeal on the right basis?
• She appealed to his peaceful reputation. (26, 28)
• She appealed to his rightful authority as a leader chosen by God. (30)
• David’s ultimate goal of being a good leader and king in right relationship with God’s justice. (26) (1Sam 29:31)
• She was willing to sacrifice for her appeal. (24)
• She gave accurate information. (25)
• She had genuine love, loyalty, and a servant’s spirit. (24, 28)
• She used the right words. (28)
• Read 1Sam 25:36-44 The results
• The death of Nabal.
• Abigail became one of David’s wives and had a son named, Chileab, which means = restraint of father.
• His name was later changed to Daniel which means = God is judge. (2Sam 3:3)
• This is not the same Daniel who wrote the book of Daniel.
• Because no mention is made of him contending for the throne with Absalom, Adonijah, and Solomon, it is thought that he probably died young.
• Summary and Application:
• While Abigail had right motives and sometimes her actions followed God’s principles when it was easy to appeal to David and not to her husband, what she had feared came upon her. Fear is the opposite of faith and comes in very difficult situations when the believer is not willing to fight for the high ground.
• Notice that while everyone in this situation had some wrong attitudes and wrong actions, God, in His sovereignty, brought everything around to produce good for His people.
• It is God who raises people to leadership and puts them down according to His master plan.

HOMEWORK
1SAMUEL 26
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of 1Sam 25
• Is there an appeal to authority that you need to make? What is it? Make a chart of your plan of action following Godly principles.
• Preparation for 1Sam 26
• Read 1Sam 26:1-25
• Why would strangers seek betrayal?
• What would be the proper response? How?
• Read Mat 5:9
• What kind of person is Abishai?
• What are some principles you gained from this chapter?
• Memory Verse: Psa 15:1,3