Model missionary communication
Christians can find important lessons in 1 Samuel 25.2-42 about getting their message across, says Dr Jione Havea.
The plot of 1 Samuel 25 is crafty. The prophet Samuel has just died, and the story invites us to anticipate his replacement, someone who would assist David, the king of Israel whom Samuel favoured. The person who assists him is Abigail.
Dr Jione Havea
The context of Abigail's story is the tension between David and Saul. David sends shalom - a greeting of peace and wholeness - with 10 of his young men, to Nabal, the rich man in Carmel, and his family.
David's shalom reminds Nabal that David and his men did not bother Nabal's shepherds while the latter were in their midst. Consequently, David requests Nabal to favour him and his men with food.
David sent his shalom on a feast day.
More food would have been prepared on a feast day as compared to others so David's request did not require Nabal to go out of his way.
Two elements in David's shalom are mission-like: he highlights the already good relationship between his and Nabal's men, and requests, metaphorically, that they "share table".
David's shalom comes in the form of words, seeking to build the respect between his men and Nabal's. It would benefit both his and Nabal's households.
His shalom, however, upsets Nabal, and he arrogantly refuses to show favour.
David calls his men to arms. Abigail, Nabal's wife, learns about this and seeks to stop David from killing Nabal. Since the sparing of Nabal also saves Abigail's life, she appears self-interested. But why not? She was in a life and death situation.
Calm
Whereas David sent shalom in the form of words, Abigail brought rations when she came to meet David and she was able to calm him down.
David's shalom with words was rejected; Abigail's rations were calming and stopped impending troubles. Both words and rations are necessary elements of mission, bringing to mind a distinction that John Wesley, among others, made between mission of charity - or rations - and mission of mercy - or shalom.
Both forms of mission are needed; one is incomplete without the other. Abigail did both: she brought rations and offered comforting words.
Mission of rations, which David did not offer, is not the duty of women only.
Abraham also organised a meal for his visitors in Genesis 18, as did Reuel for Moses in Exodus 2.20, and male priests in rituals of sacrifice. Jesus performed this mission in the feeding of the multitudes, and at the last supper.
Likewise, mission of words and mercy are not the privilege of men only. Humanity has benefited from the courage of women, from Eve and her willingness to uncover the knowledge of good and bad, to poetic Miriam and Deborah in the prophetic tradition, to Mary and the women that aided the ministry to Jesus. Women too participate in the mission of mercy and shalom.
Put simply, mission involves both shalom and rations, women and men, and we hope that they do so together.