1 Samuel 25:25, 30-31 

New International Version (NIV)

Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him — When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself.”

Your Encouragement

Today, I want to take you to the place and moment where Abigail met David and prevailed over him against his emotional decision to commit murder (1 Sam. 25:20-35).

David is exhausted and oppressed by the wilderness conditions during the period of fleeing from King Saul. God had kept him from killing Saul when he had opportunities to do so. But now David is livid. Nabal’s refusal of his request for a favor has pricked his ego, and he is on a mission to kill. His confinement in the wilderness has gotten to him, and he cannot restrain himself any longer.

In one of the most exquisite pleas for restraint in an emotionally packed situation, Abigail confronts David with the effect of his intended action on his royal future. She calls it a “staggering burden of needless bloodshed.” tormenting his conscience (31). How could David stand against the force of such godly wisdom?

You may have done well by keeping yourself from falling to provocation in the past, but now you are considering some drastic action you may regret later. The tyranny of your boss, spouse, sickness, or some other condition is getting to you and you are on the verge of exploding in a manner that does not produce the righteousness God desires (James 1:20). You are better than that, so don’t do it. Do not capitulate to any devious instinct stirring in you. Kill it with the wise counsel of Abigail. It is needless. When you have overcome your troubles in the future, you do not need any past action to oppress your conscience.

Self-control, my friend! The storm is almost over.  

Shalom