Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 116 of the Bible in a Year podcast, reading 1 Samuel chapter 25 and Psalm 63 using the Great Adventure Bible timeline from Ascension.

The reading covers Samuel's death, David's encounter with the wealthy but churlish Nabal, and the intervention of Nabal's wise wife Abigail. Father Mike reflects on how God places people in our lives to either encourage us toward holiness or deter us from evil, drawing parallels between Abigail's wisdom and the community support we need in our spiritual journey.

Samuel's Death and David's Wilderness Protection Service

Samuel died and all Israel mourned, burying him at his house in Ramah, marking the end of an era in Israel's leadership.

David and his 400 men had been protecting Nabal's shepherds in the wilderness, with the shepherds testifying 'they were a wall to us both by night and by day'.

Nabal, described as 'churlish and ill-behaved' despite being very rich with 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, rudely rejected David's request for provisions during sheep-shearing season.

Abigail's Wise Intervention Prevents Bloodshed

Abigail, described as 'of good understanding and beautiful,' quickly assembled provisions including 200 loaves, wine, dressed sheep, and dried fruits without telling her husband.

She intercepted David's vengeful march, falling before him and taking responsibility: 'Upon me alone, my lord, be the guilt'.

David blessed Abigail's intervention, saying 'unless you had made haste and come to meet me truly by morning, there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male'.

Divine Justice and David's New Marriages

When Abigail told the drunken Nabal about David's threat the next morning, 'his heart died within him, and he became as a stone'.

The Lord struck Nabal dead about ten days later, prompting David to say 'Blessed be the Lord who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal'.

David married both Abigail and Ahinoam of Jezreel, while Saul had given David's first wife Michal to another man named Palti.

Psalm 63 and the Need for Community Guidance

Psalm 63, written during David's wilderness period, expresses spiritual longing: 'My soul thirsts for you... as in a dry and weary land where no water is'.

Father Mike emphasizes how God sends people to either encourage holiness or deter from evil, calling them 'all the Abigails that you brought into our lives'.

The importance of community discernment is highlighted: 'We need all of us. We need the community. That's why God has given us the church'.