1 Samuel 25 | Human Folly & Divine Wisdom

In today’s passage, we meet a character who would have been a passenger on a ship of fools. His name is Nabal (his name literally means “foolish”). He epitomizes human folly. Scripture sets him in contrast with his wife, Abigail. Whereas he represents human folly, she serves as a conduit of divine wisdom. By God’s grace, she comes to prevent Israel’s future king, David, from getting on board the ship of fools. Both Abigail and Nabal give you and I powerful reminders of the reality of living that we can choose to live by divine wisdom and human folly.

Sermon Outline

• A Profile of Human Folly: Nabal
  • He elevates accomplishments above character. 
    • Mark 8:36
  • He lives under the illusion of independence. 
    • Psalm 14:1
    • Isaiah 32:6
  • He treats this life as all there is. 
  • He self-destructs under divine judgment. 
  • Proverbs 1:7
• A Conduit of Divine Wisdom: Abigail
  • She exercises discernment. 
  • She restricts folly. 
    • Proverbs 4:5-6
  • She encourages faith. 
  • She makes peace. 
    • Matthew 5:9