Have you ever found yourself in a conflict where emotions ran high, and the path to resolution felt unclear?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

Today, Saul is going to respond to David, who is standing on the hill holding his weapon and water jug. Here is what happens next in verses 17-21:

Saul recognized David's voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” And he said, “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands? Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the Lord who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the Lord, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.” Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” — 1 Samuel 26:17-21

David's statement to Saul includes curiosity about two items:

1. The injustice: What David has done to deserve the justice of the Lord's army?
2. The instigator: Who has stirred Saul to pursue him, God or man?

Thus, David's reconnaissance mission was not about stealing Saul's weapon and water but about using them to gain intelligence into the injustice and instigator of the current inquisition. David understood that sometimes the battles we fight are not wars fought with weapons but wars fought off with careful questions and inquisitive words.

In our own lives, we often find ourselves in similar situations. Maybe it's a conflict with a colleague or a misunderstanding with a friend or family member. The instinct is to react emotionally or defensively, but David shows us a different path. He chooses to address the issue head-on with wisdom.

When you are in a verbal skirmish, pause and ask yourself the same questions David did. First, identify the injustice: What is the injustice in this situation? What have I done or not done that has led us to this point? Second, seek to understand the instigator: Who or what is instigating this conflict? Has a fear or misunderstanding ignited the flames of conflict?

We can defuse situations by approaching conflicts with this wisdom before they escalate. Use thoughtful questions and words of mercy to seek clarity and understanding rather than allowing human emotions to guide your responses. David didn’t return anger for anger, and neither should you. Be inquisitive and let your words be infused with grace, aiming for reconciliation rather than division, vengeance, and war.

God, forgive me when I act with a vengeance. May my words and curiosity be filled with wisdom and mercy in every interaction today.

#ConflictResolution, #WisdomInAction, #GracefulCommunication

Ask This:

1. What steps can you take to approach conflicts with curiosity rather than defensiveness?
2. How can identifying the true instigator in a situation change your response?

Do This:

Seek wisdom and mercy in conflicts with intriguing questions.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to approach conflicts with a heart full of curiosity and grace, seeking understanding rather than division. May my words reflect Your wisdom and mercy in every interaction today. Amen.

Play This:

Kindness.

Stop Drifting & Come Home   Stop Drifting & Come Home P P  GET THE JOURNAL FOR THIS STUDY  THE VINCE MILLER SHOW

Do you feel like you are drifting spiritually? There is something and someone that could help.

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

At this point, David and Abishai sneak into Saul's camp, swipe the spear and jar of water, and position themselves on a hill far from Saul. Here is what happens next in verses 14-16:

And David called to the army, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who calls to the king?” And David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord. This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the Lord's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was at his head.” — 1 Samuel 26:14-16

Have you ever found yourself drifting? Difting from responsibilities that you know are yours alone?

We all drift. We get tired, possibly lazy, and drop the ball.

That's precisely what Abner has done. He has dropped the ball. The one thing he was responsible for doing was protecting the Lord's anointed, but in this story, he is found sleeping on the job rather than doing his job. This puts everyone at risk, but especially the "Lord's anointed"—Saul!

So David literally calls Abner out in front of everyone, which I assume was rather embarrassing for Abner, and Saul, and the entire army of 3000 men.

No one likes this experience, especially when it happens publicly.

But the truth is sometimes we all need it.

So maybe today, if you are drifting, it's time to be vulnerable instead of made vulnerable. Be vulnerable about your spiritual drift. Get honest with yourself about it. Find a believer to help who is through the same drift and who can point the way out. If you can be vulnerable and vigilant, it will save you shame and a lot of public embarrassment.

If this hits home today and you have been drifting and feel it's time for a more profound change, you need to know that sometimes the drift we experience isn't just about everyday slip-ups. It's the slippery slide of sin that separates us from God. It reveals a more prominent and deeper longing that can only be satisfied by God.

The good news is that no matter how far you’ve drifted, God has not moved. He’s right where he’s always been, ready to welcome you home, no matter the distance of your drift. God invites you into a relationship where you don’t just survive your spiritual drift—you thrive in a spiritual relationship with him.

If you’re ready to stop drifting and begin new, you can make a choice today. Choose to surrender your ways, will, weariness, and wandering and accept His salvation and leadership in your life. Jesus's life, death, and resurrection are the only solution to your spiritual drift. If you are ready to do that, you can choose Jesus right now.

If you are ready to do that right now, write "I choose Jesus" in the comments below.

Let me pray for you:

“Jesus, I know I’ve been drifting, and I want to come back to You. I’m done wandering, and I’m ready to surrender my life to You. Forgive me, guide me, and help me walk with You daily. Amen.”

#SpiritualDrift, #ChooseJesus, #ComeHome

Ask This:

1. Where in your life do you sense a drift from God’s purpose, and what steps can you take to refocus?
2. Who could you reach out to for accountability and support in restoring your spiritual walk?

Do This:

Stop Drifting and come home.

Pray This:

Lord, I admit I’ve been drifting and need Your guidance to return to You. Help me surrender my heart fully and walk closely with You each day. Amen.

Play This:

Broken Together.

Are you fighting the right battles, or just charging into the chaos without a strategy?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

At this point, David and Abishai sneak into Saul's camp and steal the spear and jar of water from the head of his bed. Here is what happens next in verses 12-13:

So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them. Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill, with a great space between them. — 1 Samuel 26:12-13

So the obvious question is, why does David take the spear and jar?

• "The spear" is Saul's instrument of leadership and aggression.
• "The jar of water" is Saul's source of sustenance in the desert wasteland.

Without any act of violence, David symbolically disarmed Saul and took his life.

This is a fascinating and strategic move by David.

Years ago, I remember my daughter, during her teen years, hitting a phase where she refused to keep her room clean. This was an ongoing battle between her and her mother and I. We would go back and forth about this for months until finally, she drew a line with us and declared her room "eminent domain." We thought this was a bold move because it was "our house" in which "her room" resided. So, one day, when she was gone, I decided to take her door off the frame, hoping that her lack of privacy would motivate her to clean her room.

When she returned home, she came stomping upstairs to protest that I had taken her door off her room. To which I responded, "That may be 'your room' but it's 'my door' and I will put 'my door' back on when 'your room' is clean." 

She spent the next seven hours cleaning her room because her privacy was more valuable than "her room."

There are a lot of ways to fight battles.

David's move was strategic. He didn't kill Saul. Instead, he targeted the symbols of Saul's power and sustainability—the spear and the jar. This choice spoke louder than violence because it demonstrated his stealth skill and targeted objects of value to Saul to corner him into a change of heart.

Too often, we charge headlong into battles, attacking only the surface issues. We fight for the "room"—the immediate felt need—without considering the real need. For example, when I removed my daughter's door, I wasn't just trying to get her to clean up; I was targeting what mattered most to her: privacy and what mattered most to me: respect. The lesson was more than a lesson in a clean room—it was about responsibility, respect, and meeting the real underlying needs.

When you encounter a challenge today, take a moment to ask yourself, "Am I fighting the right battle?" Avoid getting caught up in superficial issues and overlook the deeper needs. If you do, your battles might have more positive and godly results.

#StrategicWisdom, #FightSmart, #DeeperLessons

Ask This:

1. What symbols of power or value in your life might you need to address to create lasting change?
2. Are you focusing on surface issues, or are you targeting the deeper needs in your battles?

Do This:

Fight the right battle.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to see beyond the surface of my challenges and recognize the deeper needs that require attention. Grant me the wisdom to fight battles with strategy and grace, reflecting Your guidance in all I do. Amen.

Play This:

Surrounded.

Will you take the silent advantage or do what is right?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, Saul is on the hunt for David, determined to capture and kill him. David hears he is camped on the hill beyond him, so he and Abishai go on a reconisence mission. They sneak into the center of camp, where Saul and his commander are dead asleep, and Abishai suggests pinning Saul to the ground with his spear. Then here is how David responds in verses 9-11:

But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?” And David said, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go.” — 1 Samuel 26:9-11

How do you respond when faced with an opportunity that would give you a silent advantage? Are you spiritually centered or privately selfish?

At this point, we know David is tired of Saul's games. It has been years of going around in circles with this man. God has presently given him the upper hand by allowing him to sneak into the center of camp. He is standing at the head of the Commander and the King. He could easily take matters into his own hands and selfishly take advantage. Even Abishai sees the advantage. This is like that moment when you are in line at the grocery store, and the cashier hands you too much money in return. Do you choose to be silently selfish and take the advantage, or do you do what is spiritually right and righteous?

Yet David's situation is not simply a matter of incorrect counting by a counter cashier. The man sleeping on the ground before him has acted unfairly and unrighteously for years. Saul has broken promises, divided him from his friends, taken his wife, driven his family into exile, and tried to kill him numerous times. Still, David stands over him and makes a just judgment even when persuaded and presented with the opportunity.

David fought many battles. However, it is these battles that capture my attention most in his story. David fights valiantly with the enemy that lies within his own heart—the silent and persuasive battle with his own selfishness.

How are you fighting these battles today? When given the opportunity for an unfair advantage do you take it?

1. Financial Gain: Benefiting from overpayments or errors.
2. Workplace Politics: Taking credit for others's work or insider information.
3. Relationships: Exploiting trust or vulnerabilities.
4. Competitions: Cheating to gain a win.
5. Academics: Using unauthorized help or copying.
6. Reputation: Exaggerating achievements.
7. Business: Cutting ethical corners or withholding information.
8. Leadership: Using authority for personal benefit.
9. Job Searching: Misrepresenting qualifications.
10. Social Influence: Slandering to gain a status.
11. Legal Loopholes: Avoiding consequences through technicalities.

Consider this list and examine your response when opportunities arise to gain these silent advantages. Remember some of the greatest battles you will ever fight are fought in silence with the sin and selfishness that lie within your own heart. Isn’t it time to fight the silent battles and let God claim the victory?

#IntegrityInAction, #UnseenBattles, #GodGetsTheGlory

Ask This:

1. When faced with silent opportunities for personal gain, do you pause to consider what choice honors God most?
2. How do you respond when integrity challenges you to act righteously, even if no one else will ever know?

Do This:

Fight the battle with yourself!

Pray This:

Lord, help me to choose integrity over personal gain, even when no one is watching. Strengthen my heart to fight the silent battles that honor You alone. Amen.

Play This:

Great Are You, Lord.

Do you act too impulsively, derailing the mission?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, Saul is once again on the hunt for David, determined to capture and kill him. With new knowledge of David's whereabouts, he has assembled a hardened army of 3,000 men. Under the cover of darkness, they lie in wait, encamped near the last known location of David's men As the evening draws near, the tension thickens—what will unfold next in 1 Samuel 26:5-8?

Then David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying within the encampment, while the army was encamped around him. Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab's brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah, “Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him. Then Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice.”  — 1 Samuel 26:5-8

David is fearless, isn't he?

But don't forget, he knows Saul, the warriors of Israel, their tactics, and the opportune times to infiltrate their ranks. They are exhausted from a long trip and tired, and David knows gathering intelligence will aid him in understanding his next move. So David and Abishai go on a fast covert mission.

What David does here is how every believer should attack sin in our lives. Like David, we should never rush headlong into battle without gathering a battle buddy and intelligence for the challenge. Abishai’s eagerness to take immediate action can be tempting, yet it serves as a warning for the eager who want to "throw the spear." When we act too quickly, driven by impulsive emotions or the allure of immediate victory, we risk losing sight of the bigger mission, thus winning a battle and losing a war. We may even find ourselves trapped and surrounded holding a spear of sin in our hand.

David's mission is clear: gather intelligence, understand God's will, and then take action. One consistent lesson David has taught us in all his years of running from Saul is not to act impulsively; he gathers intelligence, understands God's will, and then takes action.

Today, you should do the same before reacting or responding to any challenge. First, gather intelligence about the situation. Second, take a moment to pray and ask God for insight into the problem. If you have time, journal your thoughts, pray aloud with a battle buddy, write out the pros and cons, and consult God's Word. If you don't have this kind of time, shoot up one of those "silent shotgun" prayers. The ones you say quickly in your head, like: "God, I need your help right now!" Do your best in the heat of the moment to align your actions with God's Will.

In the battlefield of life, don’t let impulse be your spear; gather wisdom and aim true before you strike.

#WisdomInAction, #BattleReady, #FaithfulDecisionMaking

Ask This:

1. What strategies do you use to gather insight before responding to challenges in your life?
2. How can prayer shape your decision-making process during moments of impulse?

Do This:

Gather wisdom, then strike.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to pause and seek Your wisdom before acting in haste. Grant me the clarity to align my decisions with Your will. Amen.

Play This:

The Battle Is Yours.

Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle of conflict, wondering if there’s a way out?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we will see a new encounter unfold between David and Saul. You thought Saul was done with David, but he is not. Let's dive into chapter 26, entitled "Restraint & Righteousness." Let's read 1 Samuel 26:1-4:

Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon?” So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is beside the road on the east of Jeshimon. But David remained in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness, David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come. — 1 Samuel 26:1-4

So we learn David was right back in the same wilderness where he had previously been chased—a barren, rugged place called Jeshimon, a wilderness “wasteland.” This wasn’t just a wasteland; it was symbolic of David's life—cut off from his community and clan and constantly on the run. Though Saul had once admitted his wrongdoing outside the cave of Engedi, here he is back to his relentless pursuit with 3,000 of Israel's elite troops. Despite David's hope that Saul’s confession would result in a change, the spies' confirmation brought the cold reality: Saul was again back to his old tricks.

David, however, did not react or run in despair when he heard Saul's troops were encamped on the hillside. Instead, he wisely gathered intelligence. This wasn't just tactical; it was David's steady, courageous faith at work. David understood that advantage often comes not from sheer strength or emotional responses but from seeking wisdom, practicing obedience, and taking action with faith, even in the wilderness moments of life.

When you face repeated challenges or find yourself surrounded, don't let pressure push you into impulsive decisions. Pause for a moment seek wisdom, practice obedience, and take godly action. You will blessed if you do. The impulsive response often results in bloodshed and leaves you living with a lot of regret.

#FaithUnderPressure, #WisdomInWilderness, #DavidAndSaul

Ask This:

1. How can you seek wisdom in your current challenges rather than reacting impulsively?
2. What steps can you take to practice obedience during difficult times?

Do This:

Be wise under pressure.

Pray This:

Father, help me to remain steadfast in my faith during life's wilderness moments. Grant me wisdom and obedience to respond to challenges with courage and grace. Amen.

Play This:

God I Look To You.

Was it a divine event or only natural?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

In yesterday's devotional, we saw that Abigail's appeal to David works. But now she has to return home to the celebration and tell her husband what she did. Let's see how this plays out in 1 Samuel 25:36-44:

And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light. In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And about ten days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed be the Lord who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The Lord has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head." Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife. When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, "David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife." And she rose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, "Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord." And Abigail hurried and rose and mounted a donkey, and her five young women attended her. She followed the messengers of David and became his wife.

David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel, and both of them became his wives. Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim. — 1 Samuel 25:36-44

I think it is essential to see the comparison between Saul and Nabal today. They are comparable men—wealthy, entitled, and benefiting from David's protection equally. Both had their lives spared by David, both had females who married David, both women confided in David to help him avoid inevitable disasters, and both men died under God's judgment. The comparison is remarkable.

But the result is Nabal dies. In contemporary medical terms, it sounds like Nabal had an initial stroke and then fell into a coma and died of starvation. However, we cannot avoid David's divine diagnosis. When David hears about Nabal, he perceives a double divine blessing in this event. First, a blessing of vengeance by God for Nabal's insult. Second, Abigail's blessing of protection for holding him back from doing wrongful harm to Nabal.

This is intriguing because we often wonder about God's use of natural means to bring justice and blessing.

God often uses natural events as instruments of justice. For example, in Genesis 6-9, He brought justice to a corrupt world through the flood. Also, in Exodus 7-12, God sent plagues involving natural elements—frogs, hail, and darkness—to confront Pharaoh's defiance.

In the same way, God also uses natural events to grant blessings. For example, in Exodus 16, he provided manna to sustain his people in the wilderness. Then, in Deuteronomy 11, God promised rain for crops as a reward for obedience, using natural weather to nurture provisions for his people.

So, the question remains: Should we interpret Nabal's death as natural or divine? Did God do this? Or was this merely a natural circumstance?

And the answer to this question is "Yes!"

Like Nabal, we will all die. Death is God's judgment for all creation. What bothers us is the connection of death with God's divine providence. Are they connected? Should we see them as one and the same? David's answer is "Yes!"

Those of you who believe in Jesus see the connection here. This is because a spiritual reality is more real than the natural. Your redeemed mind sees the divine work in the natural, and there is great hope for you. While you face physical death, you escape eternal death to live forever with God. When you die, you will be raised into eternal life! This is because those who call on the Lord receive the promise of eternal life in heaven, thanks to Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death.

And for those who do not know this, you can enjoy this blessing right now by acknowledging Jesus as your Savior and Lord and choosing to live under his grace and blessings. I invite you today to trust in Jesus and choose life. We all will die as God has determined. But you can live now and forever with God. Surrender your life to Jesus right now. Acknowledge your sins, call on his mercy, and accept his gift of salvation—live now and into eternity with Jesus. Don't be foolish like Nabal, living and dying only to yourself, thus dying here and spending eternity in Hell. Death comes to us all. Choose life in Jesus and receive his blessings.

If you're ready to make this decision, you can acknowledge Jesus right now. Take this step by saying out loud, "I choose Jesus." And if you just declared that, pray this short prayer with me:

"Lord, I choose life. I recognize my need for You. I surrender my life to Your will, trusting in Jesus as my Savior. I want to live under Your grace and blessings. Amen."

If you made this decision today, write "I choose Jesus" below, and we will reach out to you with free resources to help you on your journey with Christ.

#DivineProvidence, #FaithAndLife, #ChooseJesus

Ask This:

1. How do you see God's hand in the natural events of your life?
2. What steps can you take to trust in God’s divine plan amidst difficult circumstances?

Do This:

Choose Jesus.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to recognize Your presence in both the natural and divine events of my life. Strengthen my faith as I choose to trust in Your perfect plan. Amen.

Play This:

I Choose Jesus.

When God interrupts, do you listen?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

In yesterday's devotional, we saw that Abigail interceded for Nabal's foolishness. Let's see if her charming approach works with David in 1 Samuel 25:32-35:

And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! For as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male.” Then David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have obeyed your voice, and I have granted your petition.” — 1 Samuel 25:32-35

Have you ever felt the weight of a confrontation and felt tempted to take matters into your own hands? Heated moments cloud our judgment and make it hard to see what God wants to do because we are too focused on what we want to do.

In this text, David is hot. He is about to make a grave mistake. He is about to slaughter all the men of Nabal's house at the celebration of the year. But Abigail intervenes. And instead of ignoring her intervention, David interprets it as God's intervention. If you have been reading the story with me, there is an about-face in his attitude and actions. He goes from proclaiming acts of vulgarity to proclaiming a threefold blessing: A blessing to the Lord. A blessing for her wise discretion. And a blessing on her.

You need this type of intervention in your life sometimes, especially when you are hot. We all do. But when the intervention shows up, you must see it, receive it, and change.

Since many of you have been following me for a while through 1 Samuel, this again is one of those instances in which we see God's wisdom in choosing David. David was willing to see God's intervention and adjust his intention.

As you face the challenges of today, be open to God’s voice through the people he places in your path. When tempers flare and stress mounts, don’t hesitate to pray for God's intervention. Then, when God intervenes, be willing to accept the interventions that interrupt your intentions. Don't plow over people and miss a prophetic voice from God. If you ignore these prophetic whispers, you might miss God's redirect and do something you regret.

#Intervention, #DivineWisdom, #ListeningToGod

Ask This:

1. How can you better recognize and respond to God’s interventions in your life during challenging moments?
2. Who in your life embodies the wisdom of Abigail, guiding you toward God’s will?

Do This:

Pray for divine interruptions in anger and stress.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to recognize Your voice through the people You place in my life, especially in moments of anger or frustration. Grant me the humility to accept divine interventions that guide my actions and intentions. Amen.

Play This:

Interruptions (Comedy by Mark Lowry)

When God needs a voice of reason he sometimes sends a charming woman.

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

In this chapter, David sends some men to Nabal to seek generosity. Nabal refused and insulted David. David finds out about it and marches 400 men to confront David. But Abigail, Nabal's wife, will secretly try to intervene and appease David with an extensive goodwill offering. Let's see if this works in 1 Samuel 25:23-31:

When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. She fell at his feet and said, "On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant. Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent. Now then, my lord, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, because the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be as Nabal. And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord. Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live. If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God. And the lives of your enemies he shall sling out as from the hollow of a sling. And when the Lord has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you and has appointed you prince over Israel, my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself. And when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant." — 1 Samuel 25:23-31

There are only a few female-initiated encounters between a man and a woman in the Bible:

1. Adam and Eve (Gen 3).
2. Judah and Tamar (Gen 38).
3. Deborah and Barak (Judg 4).
4. Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 3).
5. The woman who anointed Jesus (Matt 26).
6. Abigail and David (1 Sam 25).

Of all these, this one is by far one of the most remarkable and longest addresses by a woman in the Old Testament.

Abigail accomplishes three goals in this encounter:

1. She intervened for Nabal.
2. She proclaimed David's destiny.
3. She prevented David from sinning.

What captures me is how remarkable she is in her approach. First, she comes alone to the dark of the forest to intervene before a powerful man with 400 strapped men. Second, she brings food, the language of active men, to attempt to butter them up. Third, she takes responsibility for her husband, explaining that she should have been more careful to protect him from himself. She feels to blame because she did encounter David's initial messengers and thus feels responsible. Fourth, she uses a prophetic word about David's future to persuade him to look beyond this foolish man and moment into the future and not do something now that would alter his future. Fifth, she constantly calls him "lord," a title repeated 14 times in her speech that women use for their husbands. (Spoiler Alert) Abigail is about to become David's wife.

This moment is an incredible moment made so by a charming woman. Here are the C-H-A-R-M-I-N-G qualities we see in Abigail:

1. Courage – She bravely approaches David despite the danger.
2. Humility – She lowers herself, calling David "lord" and offering herself as a servant.
3. Awareness – Abigail wisely understands the situation and David's heart.
4. Respect – She honors David's role and God's future for him.
5. Mindfulness – Her careful actions show respect and wisdom.
6. Integrity – Abigail's words align with her faith in God's plan.
7. Nurturing – She brings provisions, showing care and peace.
8. Godliness – Abigail acts out of reverence for God.

Application for Unmarried Men

If you are an unmarried man, take note of Abigail's qualities. Look and pray for a woman like this. You might find her in the most unexpected place and encounter.

Application for Husbands

For those who are married, Abigail's qualities should inspire us to pray over our wives. Pray that God nurtures these charming qualities in her. Affirm your wife's beauty today, and don't be the fool Nabal was.

Application for Women

Be this woman: C-H-A-R-M-I-N-G. Abigail is a charming woman even though her husband is an entitled fool. But her obedience to God is about to change her life forever.

#WisdomInAction, #CharmAndCourage, #BiblicalWomanhood

Ask This:

1. When facing conflict, how can you seek wisdom to bring peace rather than escalate tension?
2. What steps can you take to grow in humility, courage, or discernment today?

Do This:

Pray for a charming woman.

Pray This:

Lord, give me the wisdom and courage to bring peace and honor into difficult situations. Help me to act with humility, strength, and faithfulness in every moment. Amen.

Play This:

O Praise The Name.

Three lessons from a stupid man. You can learn from stupidity.

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

Yesterday, we discovered that David sent some men to Nabal to ask for some generosity, and Nabal rejected and insulted David and his men. Today David and 400 of his men are coming to confront Nabal. Let's see what happens in 1 Samuel 25:14-22:

But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he railed at them. Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them. They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now therefore know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.”

Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. And she said to her young men, “Go on before me; behold, I come after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. And as she rode on the donkey and came down under cover of the mountain, behold, David and his men came down toward her, and she met them. Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good. God do so to the enemies of David and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him.”  — 1 Samuel 25:14-22

There is a lot here, so let me make three observations and points today.

First, one of Nabal's servants clarifies that David is a shepherd of shepherds. The young man makes numerous flattering comments that David's men were "very good" to them, they "suffered no harm," they "did not miss a thing," they were "a wall" to us. We learn that his first career as a shepherd had a principled impact on his second career as a leader of men.

Never take for granted what God might be preparing you for in one part of your life for the next part of your life. David was the youngest in the family, and while shepherding might have seemed like a meaningless job in the hills of Bethlehem, God used it to prepare David for a career of leadership and protection over the hills of Israel. Sometimes, what appears to be drudgery at the moment might be divine preparation for later. So, if you feel like your present job is drudgery, pay less attention to the drudgery and more attention to the divine lessons.

Second, it's evident that everyone in Nabal's family and on his staff knows he is worthless and resistant to feedback. The picture painted of Nabal is complete. He is more than a fool. He is rich and resistant to feedback, which makes him an "entitled fool."

Nobody is more stubborn than a leader, husband, or father who is relatively skilled, rich, and resistant to feedback. But resisting all feedback from people, especially godly people, is foolish. Resistance stunts our growth, damages our relationships, and stalls spiritual maturity. When we go too far, it might lead to isolation, getting us fired, or, in Nabal's case, getting him killed. Don't be an entitled fool. Pay attention to feedback from a friend, family member, or colleague today. It might just be feedback from the Father.

Third, a savior is inserted into the story—a noble wife and brave woman—Abigail. There is a lot to love about this woman, but notice the similarity between Saul and Jonathan and now Nabal and Abigail to David. David is about to find another ally in the house of an adversary. Like Jonathan had been to David, Abigail is about to be to David.

You need allies in this life, godly men and women, to give you direction. Sometimes, you stumble upon them; other times, you must work and find them. Regardless, build alliances with godly believers in this life. They are a source of substance and sanity when stupid people do stupid things, and they might steer you away from becoming stupid yourself.

#LeadershipLessons, #FoolishnessToWisdom, #FaithfulAllies

Ask This:

1. How can you identify areas in your life where feedback might help you grow spiritually and relationally?
2. Who are the godly allies in your life, and how can you strengthen those relationships?

Do This:

Have godly allies, and don't be stupid.

Pray This:

Lord, help me recognize the valuable lessons hidden in my daily experiences and remain open to feedback that fosters my growth. May I build strong alliances with godly people who guide me through life's challenges. Amen.

Play This:

Christ Our Wisdom.

Have you ever said something foolish because you were thinking something foolish?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

Yesterday, we discovered that David traveled south and learned that Nabal, a wealthy man, was holding his annual sheep-shearing event and celebration. David was seeking a bit of generosity from his fellow countrymen because his men were hungry, and he had provided generous protection to Nabal's shepherds.

To make his request, David sent ten young warriors to ask Nabal for help. Here is what happens in 1 Samuel 25:9-13:

When David's young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. And Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?" So David's young men turned away and came back and told him all this. And David said to his men, "Every man strap on his sword!" And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage. — 1 Samuel 25:9-13

Here are a few observations:

Nabal pretends not to know David, but he knows who David is. Everyone knows who David is. Even Nabal's shepherds know because David has been protecting them. But Nabal's resistance becomes apparent when he refers to David as "the son of Jesse." This was Saul's derogatory name for David, which tells us he is aligned with Saul. Like the party division we witness in our country, Nabal has a political sign in his front yard, and it doesn't say, "Make Israel Great Again." (Probably too soon.)

Second, to add insult to injury, Nabal compares David to a common slave and servant. He says, "There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters."

Third, Nabal displays his selfishness in his response: "Shall I take my bread, my water, my meat, for my shearers?" My, my, my, my.

Nabal's response is more selfish and sinister than simply saying no. He is treating his fellow countrymen who have treated him with respect and charity and returning it with rejection and contempt. David is insulted by this and arms 400 men to confront this foolish man. Compared to Saul, Nabal has no unique anointing and appointment by God. Thus, Nabal (whose name means "Fool") is living up to the definition of his name.

Nabal is a fool not because of the political sign he has in his yard but because he lacks relational tack, godly wisdom, and awareness that God has blessed him with wealth to be a blessing. Nabal is a selfish and self-centered fool whose mouth spouts foolishness, and it's going to get him killed.

Your mouth exposes your heart.

You might be able to fake it till you make it for a while. But if you feel cornered, threatened, or attacked, your mouth will expose what your heart holds and your brain believes. Sometimes, what is stirring around in your heart and mind is not right or righteous. So before you say something foolish today, address the foolishness within your heart and mind. Otherwise, when you are cornered, threatened, or attacked, you might express foolishness and start a war you will not win.

#GuardYourHeart, #SpeakWisely, #BiblicalWisdom

Ask This:

1. What foolish thoughts are lingering in your heart that could lead to harmful words?
2. How can you speak with greater wisdom today?

Do This:

Address the foolishness in your heart and mind.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to guard my heart and mind so that my words reflect Your wisdom. Give me the strength to speak with grace and truth today. Amen.

Play This:

I Need You/Change My Heart, O God.