David’s encounter with a fool named Nabal seems odd, impractical, and out of place. David’s genocidal intent and deviant marital practices would be rated for mature audiences by today’s streaming services, so why is this story in the Bible?
First Samuel 25 is sandwiched between stories of David’s refusal to kill Saul (chap. 24; 26). In the Nabal story, though, David and his entourage are denied a meal, so he vows to gather 400 of his men and kill every male that belongs to Nabal by the next morning (25:22). David is only saved from shedding innocent blood by the wise intervention of Nabal’s wife, and then by Yahweh, who puts Nabal to death 10 days later.
At the end of the story, David marries Nabal’s widow, takes another wife, and loses his first wife when Saul steals her away. As readers, we instinctively know we shouldn’t “dare to be a David” and model his murderous intent or the soap opera of his love life. But as we read this story in our morning devotions, many of us will struggle to find anything of spiritual value.
When we remember that every part of the Old Testament has been fulfilled by Christ and should lead us to revel in Christ, so that we’re built up as mature Christians, we’re even more bewildered. The breakthrough for gospel nourishment comes as we read the details of 1 Samuel 25 in light of the Bible’s unfolding story.
Unfolding Story of Old Testament Kings
To find gospel nourishment in this story, first step back and notice how it fits into the larger Old Testament story. After an initial promise that Yahweh will raise up a descendant of the woman who will reverse sin’s effects (Gen. 3:15), the unfolding story reveals that this will be accomplished by kings in the lineage of Abraham, Jacob, and, ultimately, Judah (17:6, 16; 35:11; 49:10; see Num. 24:17).
Since kings will figure so prominently in God’s plan of redemption, Moses outlines their essential qualities in Deuteronomy 17:14–20: Each future king must be an Israelite, be chosen by Yahweh, trust in Yahweh instead of in defense spending and economic growth, not marry multiple wives, and be so steeped in God’s Word that it shapes his reign.
As the book of Samuel opens, we learn that the human hero of the story will be a king (1 Sam. 2:10), ultimately identified as David at his anointing by Samuel (chap. 16). David then delivers God’s people in battle (chap. 17), and the Lord preserves him as Saul seeks to kill him (chap. 18–31). Along the way, David’s righteousness shines forth as he refuses every opportunity to avenge himself against Yahweh’s rejected, yet anointed, King Saul.
Unfolding Story of 1 Samuel 25
Next, step in and notice the story’s details. First Samuel 25 opens with David and 600 of his supporters on their own in the southern wilderness, surviving on the generosity of others.
David’s righteousness shines forth as he refuses every opportunity to avenge himself against Yahweh’s rejected, yet anointed, King Saul.
At this time in his life, David is living in tension: He’s the rightful king (1 Sam. 16), but Saul is still alive, reigning as king, and trying to kill him. David’s fame is also spreading, as the general population knows that “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (18:7; 21:11; 29:5).
In light of this, it’s clear that Nabal—whose name means “fool” in Hebrew—lives up to this reputation when he fails to recognize David’s true identity: “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? . . . Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat . . . and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” (25:10–11).
The larger story reveals that when Nabal refuses to help David, he’s endangering the life of God’s rightful king. In response, David vows murderous revenge. Abigail shrewdly talks him out of it, and God directly puts Nabal to death 10 days later.
Led to Christ by a Less-than-Ideal King
Now that we’ve noticed the central details of 1 Samuel 25 in the context of the unfolding Old Testament story of kings, we can discern three important lessons.
First, the conflict with Nabal assures us that the Lord’s plan of redemption will never fail. This is on display as he delivers his chosen, anointed, undeserving, and vulnerable king, David.
Next, at a time when the Bible’s story had been weaving a glorious royal robe for David, 1 Samuel 25 hints that his shoulders aren’t wide enough to bear the full splendor of those regal garments. As the proverb warns, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself” (Prov. 26:4).
Through his encounter with a man named “Fool,” David has become the proverbial fool who shows himself capable of mass murder—though he’s prevented from committing it—and who begins a life of polygamy (contra Deut. 17:14–20). Long before David’s worst sins against Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Sam. 11), this chapter hints that he’ll ultimately fall short.
Set against the dark velvet backdrop of David’s foolish actions, the diamond of King Jesus’s perfect righteousness shines all the more brightly.
Finally, our hope is meant to be lifted even higher than David, to a King who will never fail his people. As the ultimate King of the Jews (Matt. 27:11, 37), Jesus is a righteous man who has done no evil, as even his enemies acknowledge (vv. 19, 23). When this ultimate King dies, he saves us from our sin by being forsaken by God in our place (1:21; 27:46).
Set against the dark velvet backdrop of David’s foolish actions, the diamond of King Jesus’s perfect righteousness—and, therefore, his perfect sacrifice for our sins—shines all the more brightly.
The Gospel Coalition