1 Samuel 25:1-17
Samuel dies and with his death cease the prayers which he had faithfully sent up to God on behalf of the people (12:23). Moses and Samuel are two great examples of intercessors (Jeremiah 15:1). It is always a serious thing when God takes a man or woman of prayer, when a voice is stilled . . . perhaps after having prayed much for us. Nevertheless the Lord’s intercession will not cease. "He ever liveth to make intercession" for us (Hebrews 7:25).
David, the true king, the saviour of Israel, is there in the midst of his people like a faithful shepherd. He has watched over the flocks of the rich Nabal just as carefully as earlier he did with his own sheep. Now he sends his young men with a message of peace to this man’s house (v. 6; cf. Luke 10:5). But Nabal does not know David and treats him with scorn (v. 10). He is like those Pharisees who said of Jesus: "As for this fellow, we know not whence he is" (John 9:29). Nabal rejects both the true king and his messengers. And this is also what the Lord declared to His disciples, "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me" (Luke 10:16).