Day 89

Dealing with People

Read: 1 Samuel 24-25

As Saul is trying to track him down in the wilderness, David at one point has an opportunity to kill him. He refuses because Saul is “the LORD’s anointed” (24:10). He does use this opportunity to show Saul that he has no evil intent against him. The king admits that David is more righteous than he, realizes that David will become king, and stops pursuing him. Our society would be strengthened today if there were more respect for office holders in church and state. Such people have been placed in these positions of responsibility by God. Officeholders in turn must constantly realize that they are responsible to God.

David’s band of men became protectors of people who had businesses in the wilderness. David therefore felt such people should provide him and his men with food. One of these businessmen, Nabal, responded with contempt. David was tempted to teach him a lesson. However, Nabal’s wife Abigail interceded. David is pleased with her, and when Nabal dies, he takes her to be his wife. In the meantime, his wife Michal was given by her father Saul to another man.

Nabal did not know how to deal with people. Abigail did. It takes wisdom to do just the right thing in our many complex relationships. May God give us that wisdom as we ask him for it so we may be peacemakers in a world full of tensions.

PRAYER
Father, give me the sensitivity to understand people so that I may deal with them helpfully. In Jesus’ name. Amen.