David’s men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word. David said to his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did, and David strapped his on as well. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.
I really hate to be late! So much so that several years ago, when it became apparent that my husband was going to be late picking me up to attend an event and that we would be late, I actually started walking in the direction I knew he would be coming from. I only got to the end of our neighbor’s driveway, and I am not entirely sure what I thought I was accomplishing by setting out on foot. It is possible that my overreaction was purely a demonstration aimed at my husband to show him how angry I was that we were late.
That’s were we find ourselves today in Abigail’s Dark Horse story. David is so angry at Nabal and his lack of generosity and hospitality that he and 400 men strap on their swords and march off, bent on teaching Nabal a lesson! Woah! Talk about an excessive response! Nabal angered the wrong guy!
We all have moments like that, don’t we? Where we act out irrationally and our response doesn’t necessarily match the situation. Nabal hurt David’s pride and anger was his response. That day I set off on foot – my pride was hurt, too. I didn’t want to look bad arriving late. So anger was also my response. I didn’t strap on a sword, but if looks could kill and the silent treatment be deadly…well, my husband would have been a goner that day.
In the next few days we’ll see that thankfully someone intervened on David’s behalf and saved him from the effects of his anger. But as we process today’s lesson for our own lives, let’s stop and ask God to help us keep pride, selfishness, anger and any other response that doesn’t honor him, in check. Where do you need God’s help in reigning in your responses when you feel hurt or threatened?
Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
