Talk To Him

1 Samuel 25:17b He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.

Sometimes those closest to us have the greatest insight into who we really are. That can be especially noticeable when we are in close quarters, like right now. It can be easy to hide our true selves when our contact is limited. It is easy to keep the mask on when you only have to do it for a couple hours a day.
But now, as many of us are around constantly, it can be easy to let down our guard and ‘let it rip’. Patience gets frayed as kids are underfoot and wanting continual attention. Even the electronics that we have used to occupy them for a few moments before have lost their magic touch. They get BORED!
And then we try to occupy them and they reject our suggestions! Don’t you just want to tell them to go and entertain themselves?
And then our spouses. Are you under each other’s feet, or have you found some balance of connection and separation? That is a good goal, but it can seem elusive.
And that is only those who are under your roof. There are other family and friends and they also need connection and separation. And we can’t drive over and help them. So who do we handle this balance, the pull of connection and separation.
There was a leader named Nabal. When his name is translated it means ‘fool’. And he lived up to his name. The people around him knew him. They knew if you disagreed with him, he would just do his own thing. AND you can’t even discuss it with him. His way or the highway.
So Nabal has placed his life in the cross-hairs. He has rejected a reasonable plea for some acknowledgement of the role David played in keeping him and his people safe in the past. The LORD had blessed Nabal because of the presence of David and his me.
David needs some tangible help. He needs food. Nabal has food. David asks for food. Nabal refuses. And when David hears of his refusal, he gets mad and vows to kill Nabal. David knows his reputation for not listening. He had tried to be reasonable, but Nabal had refused his plea.
So David heads Nabal’s direction to kill him. David is a little reactive here. He sees the injustice and ingratitude of Nabal and goes to pay him a terminal visit.
Fortunately for Nabal, his wife intervenes and provides an abundance of food provisions. She humbles herself before David and begs for mercy on behalf of her foolish husband Nabal. Her pleas are successful.
Do you have anyone in your life who is like Nabal, unwilling to hear the input from others? Perhaps the best response would be that of Nabal’s wife. If we extend mercy we are extending the character of God. We are living in line with our design.