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I don't know if it originated there, but I read in The Peacegiver about how the story of David and Nabal functions as an allegory teaches us this very principle.
We don't get to add requirements to satisfy a price that the Savior has already paid. https://twitter.com/DefendingZion/status/1331384870984060929
We don't get to add requirements to satisfy a price that the Savior has already paid. https://twitter.com/DefendingZion/status/1331384870984060929
This may be new to some of you, so here's a thread. It's a fantastic idea. #DezNat
David, who was not yet king, found himself in exile and pursued by King Saul (whose own intentions were... less than ideal for David).
In the wilderness, David helped protect the herds and shepherds of a rich man named Nabal. He later sent men to ask for compensation.
In the wilderness, David helped protect the herds and shepherds of a rich man named Nabal. He later sent men to ask for compensation.
There are probably cultural elements to this story that make it hard for contemporary Westerners to appreciate fully, but at least we have this (from The Peacegiver)-
The flocks were protected from harm.
The flocks went unmolested by David and his men.
That's not nothing.
The flocks were protected from harm.
The flocks went unmolested by David and his men.
That's not nothing.
Nabal told them to take a hike.
David was not pleased at this report. He's kickin tires and lightin fires on his way to start something with Nabal's household.
David was not pleased at this report. He's kickin tires and lightin fires on his way to start something with Nabal's household.
Luckily, Abigail, Nabal's wife, was clued into what was going on by the shepherds themselves. She got all kinds of stuff together and rode out to meet David.
She then tells David - and this is big - "Upon me, my Lord, upon *me* let this iniquity be."
She then tells David - and this is big - "Upon me, my Lord, upon *me* let this iniquity be."
It's not hard to see that Abigail is the type of Christ here. She makes a sacrifice, she pays a price, she allows for mercy to operate.
But... who is the one redeemed?
But... who is the one redeemed?
You're gonna say "Nabal!" and I get it. It's easy to see Nabal as the stand-in for us.
Nabal was an idiot, but he's spared the literal sword of justice in his immediate future just like we find salvation from in Christ's sacrifice for us.
But this is, if not wrong, incomplete.
Nabal was an idiot, but he's spared the literal sword of justice in his immediate future just like we find salvation from in Christ's sacrifice for us.
But this is, if not wrong, incomplete.
What if we find ourselves, instead of in Nabal, but in *David*?
He was presumably justified in his intent to lay waste to Nabal's household. And yet Abigail's sacrifice allows him to forgive because the price had been paid.
Look at what David says-"I have accepted thy person."
He was presumably justified in his intent to lay waste to Nabal's household. And yet Abigail's sacrifice allows him to forgive because the price had been paid.
Look at what David says-"I have accepted thy person."
Here's the takeaway from this David/Abigail allegory-
The Atonement of Jesus Christ has paid the price.
It's paid the price for every wrong *we* commit, sure, but also every offense done *to us*.
#DezNat
The Atonement of Jesus Christ has paid the price.
It's paid the price for every wrong *we* commit, sure, but also every offense done *to us*.
#DezNat
For us to refuse to forgive is to see that price, paid by the Son of God, and reply, "That's not enough."
For us to add requirements, hoops to jump through, to earn our pardon, is to scoff at that sacrifice.
#DezNat
For us to add requirements, hoops to jump through, to earn our pardon, is to scoff at that sacrifice.
#DezNat
But we don't have to do that.
We can forgive. We can pardon. The price has been paid, and because the price has been paid, Jesus can gift us peace in the face of offense or scorn or wrongdoing.
We're David, not Nabal, and it's beautiful. Don't add to the Atonement.
#DezNat
We can forgive. We can pardon. The price has been paid, and because the price has been paid, Jesus can gift us peace in the face of offense or scorn or wrongdoing.
We're David, not Nabal, and it's beautiful. Don't add to the Atonement.
#DezNat
A fun coda-
Abigail tells Nabal what she's done the morning after a grand feast, and he dies from a heart attack.
But what about Abigail? Oh, well, she and David marry, so
I guess.
Abigail tells Nabal what she's done the morning after a grand feast, and he dies from a heart attack.
But what about Abigail? Oh, well, she and David marry, so
I guess.
