1 Samuel 25:2 And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.
5 And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:
6 And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.
7 And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.
8 Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.
9 And when David’s young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.
10 And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
12 So David’s young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.
13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.
14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.

Introductory Thoughts

A man’s salutation can serve as the initial window to the condition of his heart. David sent out ten of his young men to salute Nabal (1 Samuel 25:14) with salutations of peace (1 Samuel 25:6). Instead of responding with like salutations, Nabal railed on David’s young men (1 Samuel 25:14) saying, “Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?” (1 Samuel 25:10-11). Why did Nabal respond in such a way? The Bible says he did so because he was “churlish and evil in his doings” (1 Samuel 25:3).

Devotional Thoughts

• (For children): Martha’s and Mary’s salutations showed much sorrow in their souls (John 11:20-21; 32). Boaz’ salutations showed a kind, generous person (Ruth 2:4, 8-9). Mary’s salutation to Elisabeth showed a believing heart (Luke 1:39-45).
• (For everyone): How do you greet others when things are going well in your life? How do you greet others when you are spiritually struggling? What does this teach you about the connection between your salutations and your walk with God?
• How can your salutation hurt your testimony? How can it hinder you from being able to reach the lost?

Prayer Thoughts

• Ask the Lord to teach you the importance of your salutation.
• Ask God to help your greetings reflect a healthy walk with God.

SONG: EVERY DAY WILL I BLESS THEE