“For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages”” (1 Timothy 5:18).

A story is told regarding David, Nabal and Abigail in 1 Samuel 25. Nabal was very rich and had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. His wife was beautiful and of good understanding, while he was harsh and evil. When Nabal’s shepherds were in the wilderness, David and his men looked after them and ensured that no harm came to them. Nabal was in Carmel shearing his sheep and David sent his men to ask him for food to support his company, considering what he had done to support his men. “Then Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, “Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master” (I Samuel 25:10). He refused to support David’s request, but insulted the men and sent them back.

David was furious at his response and told four hundred his men to arm themselves and follow him. One of Nabal’s servants spoke to Abigail and told her what happened between her husband and David’s men. He told her how they supported them while they were in the wilderness. “They were a wall to us both by night and day, all the time we were with them keeping the sheep” (I Samuel 25:16). He cautioned her to take action as he knew that David would retaliate against them. He called her husband a scoundrel who was unlikely to listen to anyone. Abigail’s response was quick, decisive and wise. “Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys” (I Samuel 25:18).

She sent her servants ahead of her, but did not tell her husband what she planned to do. When Abigail met David, he vowed that he would kill every male in her house. Abigail got off her donkey, fell on her face and begged him for mercy. She asked him not to consider Nabal who was a scoundrel and begged him not to shed any blood to avenge himself. She presented him with the gifts that she brought, begged his forgiveness and asked him to trust God to fight his battles. “Then David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me” (I Samuel 25:32)! He heeded her advice, thanked her for stopping him from taking vengeance, accepted her gift and returned to his camp.

When she returned home, Nabal was drunk from holding a large feast, fit for a king. She waited until the next day, when he was sober and told him all that happened. He had a stroke and lay helpless and after ten days, God struck him and he died. When David heard, he proposed to Abigail and she became his wife. This is an extreme example of the consequences of ingratitude, which led to death. I believe that God hates ingratitude and wants us to remain thankful. It is not superfluous to expect a person to repay kindness with kindness, or to honour those who have been good to them. Paul said that we should not ‘muzzle the ox that treads’ or ‘bite the hands that feed.’ Look for ways to show gratitude to those who have given their time and resources to help you. Even if you cannot repay in kind, be gracious and show honour, respect and gratitude.

A.P.-Y.

Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

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