1 Nabal Son of Belial 1 Samuel 25
1 Nabal – Son of Belial 1 Samuel 25: 2 -9
2 • Belial = a godless person; a lawless person
3 • Nabal was a very rich man • His “greatness” was the kind that only the worldly minded would admire • David had been a great help to Nabal
4 • Nabal refused to help David in a time of need and this moved David to almost make a terrible mistake – one involving personal vengeance
Gal. 6: 7 -8 5 • Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
I. Nabal’s Sowing 6 • 1. He was self sufficient – v. 11 • 2. He was harsh and cruel – v. 3 • 3. He resented those who tried to give him advice v. 17 • 4. He was unjust and stingy v. - 21
7 • 5. He was degrading to others • Vs. 10 -11 • 6. His words were crude, cruel and insulting – v. 14
Proverbs 10: 14 • Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. 8
Proverbs 18: 6 -7 9 • A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
10 • 7. He was extremely insulting to David – v. 10 “Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? ” • He spoke without thinking of the consequences of his words
11 • 8. He influenced others to do evil v. – 13, 22 • He irritated David so much that David lost his self-control – he later admitted his mistake • Vs. 32 -33
12 • 9. Nabal was ungrateful – vs. 16, 21 • 10. Nabal was a drinker of alcohol v. - 36
Proverbs 20: 1 • Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 13
II. Nabal’s reaping • His sowing evil produced a terrible harvest • 1. He was respected by no one – vs. 17, 25 14
Mt. 5: 16 • Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 15
16 • 2. He has gone down in history as a “great fool” • He lived up to his name • V. 25 “Nabal is his name, and folly is with him”
17 • 3. His life ended in a bitter way • Vs. 37 -39 • “A death of no hope always awaits the ‘son of Satan’” • This is a powerful motive to follow and obey God’s will
18 • “As he lived, so he died”
III. Lessons for us • 1. It is possible for one to remain married to a “Nabal” and remain faithful to God • 2. Revenge is never right 19
Rom. 12: 19 • Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20
21 • 3. The life we live today is making a permanent story for others to read tomorrow • 4. Never forget the sad conclusions of a selfish life • It leads only to disaster
Luke 12: 20 22 • But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
James 4: 13 -15 • Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? 23
24 • It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Conclusion • This is indeed a dark chapter to study • Nabal’s evil influence casts a shadow over the whole story • Let us not follow the evils of Nabal and live like fools! 25
- Slides: 25