"Bad company corrupts good habits," the scripture says, and an example of this is seen in the life of David. David was a man after God's own heart, but he still was not impervious to the influences around him. Though David did make mistakes as all men do, I admire how he received correction and did not repeat the same error.
David had fled from his king and father-in-law Saul with 400 men who gathered themselves to him. An organised band of this size could basically do what they wanted without reprisal, but they were honourable according to David's commands. In the land of Judah they protected the sheep of a wealthy man named Nabal, and being in great need humbly asked for help. Nabal answered the delegation David sent roughly with contempt. He would provide no food but spouted insults.
Upon hearing what Nabal said, David told his men to gird on their swords and prepare for a fight. His plan was to go up to Nabal's house, take what he desired by force, and kill all males by dawn. 1 Samuel 25:21-22 reads, "Now David had said, "Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. 22 May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light." As David approached Nabal's home, he was fuming. He spoke of himself in third person, his angry complaints sprinkled with the personal pronouns "I" and "me." He was deeply offended and reacted a lot like his father-in-law King Saul.
The words of David were similar to what Saul spoke concerning the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14:24: "And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food." The self-focus seen in Saul was reflected in David. But David's heart was not like Saul's: Saul would not repent at the rebuke of the prophet Samuel, but David repented at the correction of Nabal's wife Abigail. 1 Samuel 25:32-33 says, "Then David said to Abigail: "Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand." Though Saul and David sinned by selfish motives and pride, Saul brought a curse but David repented with blessings.
Here is the difference between a proud heart and one that is after God's own heart. The proud heart justifies itself and seeks honour before men, yet the heart which honours God is humble and responds gladly to correction--even when it is before hundreds of people. Praise the LORD for giving those who trust Him a new heart which responds to correction and delights in God's wisdom.
David had fled from his king and father-in-law Saul with 400 men who gathered themselves to him. An organised band of this size could basically do what they wanted without reprisal, but they were honourable according to David's commands. In the land of Judah they protected the sheep of a wealthy man named Nabal, and being in great need humbly asked for help. Nabal answered the delegation David sent roughly with contempt. He would provide no food but spouted insults.
Upon hearing what Nabal said, David told his men to gird on their swords and prepare for a fight. His plan was to go up to Nabal's house, take what he desired by force, and kill all males by dawn. 1 Samuel 25:21-22 reads, "Now David had said, "Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. 22 May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light." As David approached Nabal's home, he was fuming. He spoke of himself in third person, his angry complaints sprinkled with the personal pronouns "I" and "me." He was deeply offended and reacted a lot like his father-in-law King Saul.
The words of David were similar to what Saul spoke concerning the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14:24: "And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food." The self-focus seen in Saul was reflected in David. But David's heart was not like Saul's: Saul would not repent at the rebuke of the prophet Samuel, but David repented at the correction of Nabal's wife Abigail. 1 Samuel 25:32-33 says, "Then David said to Abigail: "Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand." Though Saul and David sinned by selfish motives and pride, Saul brought a curse but David repented with blessings.
Here is the difference between a proud heart and one that is after God's own heart. The proud heart justifies itself and seeks honour before men, yet the heart which honours God is humble and responds gladly to correction--even when it is before hundreds of people. Praise the LORD for giving those who trust Him a new heart which responds to correction and delights in God's wisdom.
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