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 12:19). He is not worth imitating. God
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, 7:12, Romans 12:17-21,
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