Theme

The challenge of being a peacemaker

Questions

• What do you think are the qualities of someone who can bring peace to a situation? Do you think there are people who focus on finding the peaceful solution no matter what is going on?
• Nabal’s men experienced protection and generosity from David in the past, but Nabal does not return the gesture for David’s men (v.4-13). Does Nabal have good reason for acting as he did (look especially at v.9-11)? Do you agree with his actions?
• David thinks that Nabal has insulted him by not showing proper hospitality or appreciation for David’s generosity, and David reacts with anger, ready to defend his honour with the sword (v.12-13 & v.21-22).
  • Do you think David over-reacted? Why/why not?
  • Nowadays (hopefully!) we don’t respond to insults with violence, but are we tempted to seek revenge for an insult? How have you seen this played out?
• As soon as they realise what’s happening Nabal’s men consult Abigail for a solution (v.14-17). What sort of qualities do you think they see in Abigail that can help them (look, for example, at how she is described in v.3)? Can you think of people who you would go to to bring peace to a difficult situation – why those people?
• Abigail is a woman of action (v.18), who can see the urgency of the situation, and she balances boldness with humility (v.23-28). How does this balance help us to understand the way a peacemaker should act?
• Look at v.27-28. Is Abigail trying to bribe David to stop him taking revenge on Nabal, or is she doing something else? Do you think her words and actions are wise? Why/why not?
• Look at James 3:13-18. How do Abigail’s actions reflect the ideas of wisdom talked about by James? Is there a relationship between wisdom and bringing peace?
• David knows his potential for doing the wrong thing, and also God’s hand in preventing it (v.39). But Abigail was the one who actually took action (without any direction from God – she didn’t pray, she didn’t consult Scripture).
  • How hard is it for people to see their potential for wrongdoing, like David? How hard is it to challenge someone like that?
  • Would you say that Abigail is doing the godly thing? How do you know? How can we develop the instinct for wise action that Abigail had?
• At different times Abigail chooses to keep her actions from her husband (v.19 & 36).
  • Does she have good reasons for doing this? What are they?
  • Are there times when it is best that someone directly involved in a situation isn’t told what’s going on? How you decide when to be open and when to keep things back?

• After Nabal dies, David marries Abigail (v.39-42) – this means that Abigail becomes part of David’s household and under his protection. Are you surprised that David married Abigail? Are you surprised that she agreed to be his wife?

• If you could ask Abigail one question, what would it be? (what do you think her answer would be?)