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Nabal – Son of Belial. 1 Samuel 25:2-9. Belial = a godless person; a lawless person. Nabal was a very rich man His “greatness” was the kind that only the worldly minded would admire David had been a great help to Nabal.
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Nabal – Son of Belial 1 Samuel 25:2-9
Nabal was a very rich man His “greatness” was the kind that only the worldly minded would admire David had been a great help to Nabal
Nabal refused to help David in a time of need and this moved David to almost make a terrible mistake – one involving personal vengeance
Gal. 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
I. Nabal’s Sowing 1. He was self sufficient – v. 11 2. He was harsh and cruel – v. 3 3. He resented those who tried to give him advice v. 17 4. He was unjust and stingy v. - 21
5. He was degrading to others Vs. 10-11 6. His words were crude, cruel and insulting – v. 14
Proverbs 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
Proverbs 18:6-7 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
7. He was extremely insulting to David – v. 10 “Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse?” He spoke without thinking of the consequences of his words
8. He influenced others to do evil v. – 13, 22 He irritated David so much that David lost his self-control – he later admitted his mistake Vs. 32-33
9. Nabal was ungrateful – vs. 16, 21 10. Nabal was a drinker of alcohol v. - 36
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
II. Nabal’s reaping His sowing evil produced a terrible harvest 1. He was respected by no one – vs. 17, 25
Mt. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
2. He has gone down in history as a “great fool” He lived up to his name V. 25 “Nabal is his name, and folly is with him”
3. His life ended in a bitter way Vs. 37-39 “A death of no hope always awaits the ‘son of Satan’” This is a powerful motive to follow and obey God’s will
III. Lessons for us 1. It is possible for one to remain married to a “Nabal” and remain faithful to God 2. Revenge is never right
Rom. 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
3. The life we live today is making a permanent story for others to read tomorrow 4. Never forget the sad conclusions of a selfish life It leads only to disaster
Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
James 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life?
It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Conclusion This is indeed a dark chapter to study Nabal’s evil influence casts a shadow over the whole story Let us not follow the evils of Nabal and live like fools!