St Luke's Church Eccleshill, Bradford, UK

This piece of drama, part of a series on "Hospitality" is for Sunday 3rd August 2003 during the 10.30am communion service.

Abigail's Hospitality

1 Samuel 25

Narr. Today we bring you a dramatized version of 1 Samuel 25. In 1020 BC, Saul was king of Israel. David was afraid of Saul, because Saul was jealous of David and was trying to kill him: so David and his men were hiding from Saul in the mountains. While they were there they tried to defend the farmers from raiders.

(David and Soldier at the back of church.)

Soldier. Well, David, it's harvest time, and the farmers have lots of crops, but we haven't got much to eat. What are you going to do?

David. I'm going to send you to ask for some supplies. Go to Carmel, where Nabal lives, and ask him for some food for us. Remind him how we defended his farm from raiders, and remember to be polite.

Soldier. Polite? You know what Nabal's like! Abigail his wife is a nice lady, but I've never met such a stubborn person! He's worse than a Yorkshireman! But if that's what you say, that's what I'll do.

Narr. So David sent some of his men to ask Nabal for some supplies.

(Soldier and Nabal at the front of church.)

Soldier. Greetings, Nabal. David sends all good wishes, and he prays for your prosperity and your health. Seeing as it is harvest time, he asks you to remember that he and his men have been defending your farm from raiders all this year, and he hopes you will remember him by sending him some supplies.

Nabal. David? Do I know this man? Shouldn't he be with king Saul in Jerusalem instead of hiding out in the mountains. Should I give in to a protection racket? Tell David to get on his bike and look for honest work.

Narr. So David's men went back and told David what Nabal had said.

(David and Soldier at the back of church.)

David. He actually said I was to get on my bike?

Soldier. Well, I do realize bikes haven't been invented yet, but that's what he meant.

David. I'll sort him out. All year long I've done my best to work for the people of this land, even though King Saul is trying to kill me. Come on, men - we're going to exterminate Nabal. Exterminate!

Soldier. Actually sir, Daleks haven't been invented yet either!

Narr. But meanwhile, back at Carmel, Nabol's servants told Abigail what had been going on.

(Servant and Abigail at the front of church.)

Servant. So you see, my lady, I think you ought to do something. David and his men really have protected us from raiders this year, and we've had a much better harvest than usual. But Nabal is such a rude person - I think David will be very angry and he'll probably come and destroy the farm.

Abigail. Yes, I see what you mean. Go and get 200 loaves of bread, five sheep ready to eat, five barrels of grain, and whatever else is in the fruit-barn, and load it onto waggons. You go in front and I'll bring up the rear, and we'll go and stop a war. Only don't tell my husband - leave me to sort that out.

Servant. Yes, milady. Everything is ready.

Narr. So Abigail set out to meet David before he reached the farm. David was in a right mood: worse than a bear with a sore head!

(David & Soldier, Servant & Abigail meet in the middle of church.)

Soldier. Halt! Who goes there?

Servant. My Lord David, my mistress Abigail sends these gifts as tokens of her respect, and begs you to accept them from Nabol's family.

David. I see. Well, that's a bit different from what I was expecting.

Narr. When Abigail drew near, she dismounted from her donkey and bowed before David.

Abigail. Please accept my apologies, my Lord, for what my husband said to your men. I am sorry that he couldn't see what you have done for us by protecting us during the year: but I'm very grateful and the rest of our household are very grateful too. And besides that, I believe that God will make you king of Israel, and I'd hate it if you were to have any violence on your conscience when you become king.

David. Bless the Lord for sending you, Abigail, and you're quite right. I would have slaughtered the lot of you - but I will accept your gifts and go in peace.

Narr. So David turned back and did not exterminate the family of Nabal. Abigail returned home and found that Nabal was having a harvest party, and he was quite drunk. So she didn't say anything to him until morning. Then she explained what she'd done. Nabal had a seizure, was paralysed for ten days, had a second seizure and died. And when David heard of it, he remembered how impressed he had been with Abigail's action, and he asked her to become his wife.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

John Hartley