1 SAMUEL 25
2 Outlines
1 Samuel 25
DEALING WITH A FOOL
I guarantee that some time in the next month or so,
you are going to
deal with a fool. A fool is not necessarily someone who is
stupid,
although he or she can be. A fool, as described
by the Bible, is foolish
in the eyes of God.
Consider the following verses about fools: Psalm 14:1,
Proverbs
10:18, 12:15, 12:16, 13:16, 14:16, 15:5, 17:10, 18:2,
23:9, 28:26,
Ecclesiastes 10:14.
It is possible for a fool to provoke you into acting
like a fool as
well.
This almost happened to David when he was in contact
with Nabal,
whose name means "fool".
Tell the story of David, Abigail, and Nabal as found
in Vss. 1-24.
We learn the following principles about dealing with a
fool in the next
verses:
1. RECOGNIZE A FOOL FOR WHAT HE IS Vs. 25
Abigail gives good advice. Don't let his behavior ruin
your testimony.
God will judge him (Romans
will take care of you, in spite of his
behavior.
2. REFRAIN FROM GETTING EVEN Vss. 26-31
Abigail makes it clear it would not be right for David
to take matters
into his own hands. Matthew 5:43-48,
Ephesians 12:17-21
3. RECEIVE GODLY COUNSEL Vss. 32-35
David accepted the counsel of Abigail.
4. REST IN GOD'S ABILITY TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.
Vss. 36-39
In this case, God chose to completely remove the fool.
At other times
he will give you grace to deal with the
fool on a regular basis.
Eventually Abigail became David's wife. Vss. 40-42
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1 Samuel 25
A WISE WOMAN
Abigail was married to a
fool named Nabal. Nabal foolishly refused to help David and his men who had
been very kind to him. It was her wisdom
that saved the day.
SHE ACCEPTED GOOD ADVICE
- Vss. 14-17
SHE ACTED QUICKLY AND
DISCREETLY - Vss. 18-23
SHE APPEALED HUMBLY AND
REASONABLY - Vss. 24-31
SHE ACHIEVED PEACE AND
POSITION - Vss. 32-35, 39-42