1 And Samuel H8050 died; H4191 and all the Israelites H3478 were gathered together, H6908 and lamented H5594 him, and buried H6912 him in his house H1004 at Ramah. H7414 And David H1732 arose, H6965 and went down H3381 to the wilderness H4057 of Paran. H6290
2 And there was a man H376 in Maon, H4584 whose possessions H4639 were in Carmel; H3760 and the man H376 was very H3966 great, H1419 and he had three H7969 thousand H505 sheep, H6629 and a thousand H505 goats: H5795 and he was shearing H1494 his sheep H6629 in Carmel. H3760
3 Now the name H8034 of the man H376 was Nabal; H5037 and the name H8034 of his wife H802 Abigail: H26 and she was a woman H802 of good H2896 understanding, H7922 and of a beautiful H3303 countenance: H8389 but the man H376 was churlish H7186 and evil H7451 in his doings; H4611 and he was of the house of Caleb. H3614
4 And David H1732 heard H8085 in the wilderness H4057 that Nabal H5037 did shear H1494 his sheep. H6629
5 And David H1732 sent out H7971 ten H6235 young men, H5288 and David H1732 said H559 unto the young men, H5288 Get you up H5927 to Carmel, H3760 and go H935 to Nabal, H5037 and greet H7592 H7965 him in my name: H8034
6 And thus shall ye say H559 to him that liveth H2416 in prosperity, Peace H7965 be both to thee, and peace H7965 be to thine house, H1004 and peace H7965 be unto all that thou hast.
7 And now I have heard H8085 that thou hast shearers: H1494 now thy shepherds H7462 which were with us, we hurt H3637 them not, neither was there ought H3972 missing H6485 unto them, all the while H3117 they were in Carmel. H3760
8 Ask H7592 thy young men, H5288 and they will shew H5046 thee. Wherefore let the young men H5288 find H4672 favour H2580 in thine eyes: H5869 for we come H935 in a good H2896 day: H3117 give, H5414 I pray thee, whatsoever cometh H4672 to thine hand H3027 unto thy servants, H5650 and to thy son H1121 David. H1732
9 And when David's H1732 young men H5288 came, H935 they spake H1696 to Nabal H5037 according to all those words H1697 in the name H8034 of David, H1732 and ceased. H5117
10 And Nabal H5037 answered H6030 David's H1732 servants, H5650 and said, H559 Who is David? H1732 and who is the son H1121 of Jesse? H3448 there be many H7231 servants H5650 now a days H3117 that break away H6555 every man H376 from H6440 his master. H113
11 Shall I then take H3947 my bread, H3899 and my water, H4325 and my flesh H2878 that I have killed H2873 for my shearers, H1494 and give H5414 it unto men, H582 whom I know H3045 not whence they be?
12 So David's H1732 young men H5288 turned H2015 their way, H1870 and went again, H7725 and came H935 and told H5046 him all those sayings. H1697
13 And David H1732 said H559 unto his men, H582 Gird ye on H2296 every man H376 his sword. H2719 And they girded on H2296 every man H376 his sword; H2719 and David H1732 also girded on H2296 his sword: H2719 and there went up H5927 after H310 David H1732 about four H702 hundred H3967 men; H376 and two hundred H3967 abode H3427 by the stuff. H3627
14 But one H259 of the young men H5288 told H5046 Abigail, H26 Nabal's H5037 wife, H802 saying, H559 Behold, David H1732 sent H7971 messengers H4397 out of the wilderness H4057 to salute H1288 our master; H113 and he railed H5860 on them.
15 But the men H582 were very H3966 good H2896 unto us, and we were not hurt, H3637 neither missed H6485 we any thing, H3972 as long as H3117 we were conversant H1980 with them, when we were in the fields: H7704
16 They were a wall H2346 unto us both by night H3915 and day, H3119 all the while H3117 we were with them keeping H7462 the sheep. H6629
17 Now therefore know H3045 and consider H7200 what thou wilt do; H6213 for evil H7451 is determined H3615 against our master, H113 and against all his household: H1004 for he is such a son H1121 of Belial, H1100 that a man cannot speak H1696 to him.
18 Then Abigail H26 made haste, H4116 and took H3947 two hundred H3967 loaves, H3899 and two H8147 bottles H5035 of wine, H3196 and five H2568 sheep H6629 ready dressed, H6213 and five H2568 measures H5429 of parched H7039 corn, and an hundred H3967 clusters of raisins, H6778 and two hundred H3967 cakes H1690 of figs, and laid H7760 them on asses. H2543
19 And she said H559 unto her servants, H5288 Go on H5674 before H6440 me; behold, I come H935 after H310 you. But she told H5046 not her husband H376 Nabal. H5037
20 And it was so, as she rode H7392 on the ass, H2543 that she came down H3381 by the covert H5643 of the hill, H2022 and, behold, David H1732 and his men H582 came down H3381 against H7125 her; and she met H6298 them.
21 Now David H1732 had said, H559 Surely in vain H8267 have I kept H8104 all that this H2088 fellow hath in the wilderness, H4057 so that nothing H3972 was missed H6485 of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited H7725 me evil H7451 for good. H2896
22 So H3541 and more H3254 also do H6213 God H430 unto the enemies H341 of David, H1732 if I leave H7604 of all that pertain to him by H5704 the morning H1242 light H216 any that pisseth H8366 against the wall. H7023
23 And when Abigail H26 saw H7200 David, H1732 she hasted, H4116 and lighted off H3381 the ass, H2543 and fell H5307 before H639 David H1732 on her face, H6440 and bowed H7812 herself to the ground, H776
24 And fell H5307 at his feet, H7272 and said, H559 Upon me, my lord, H113 upon me let this iniquity H5771 be: and let thine handmaid, H519 I pray thee, speak H1696 in thine audience, H241 and hear H8085 the words H1697 of thine handmaid. H589
25 Let H7760 not my lord, H113 I pray thee, regard H3820 this man H376 of Belial, H1100 even Nabal: H5037 for as his name H8034 is, so is he; Nabal H5037 is his name, H8034 and folly H5039 is with him: but I thine handmaid H519 saw H7200 not the young men H5288 of my lord, H113 whom thou didst send. H7971
26 Now therefore, my lord, H113 as the LORD H3068 liveth, H2416 and as thy soul H5315 liveth, H2416 seeing the LORD H3068 hath withholden H4513 thee from coming H935 to shed blood, H1818 and from avenging H3467 thyself with thine own hand, H3027 now let thine enemies, H341 and they that seek H1245 evil H7451 to my lord, H113 be as Nabal. H5037
27 And now this blessing H1293 which thine handmaid H8198 hath brought H935 unto my lord, H113 let it even be given H5414 unto the young men H5288 that follow H1980 H7272 my lord. H113
28 I pray thee, forgive H5375 the trespass H6588 of thine handmaid: H519 for the LORD H3068 will certainly H6213 make H6213 my lord H113 a sure H539 house; H1004 because my lord H113 fighteth H3898 the battles H4421 of the LORD, H3068 and evil H7451 hath not been found H4672 in thee all thy days. H3117
29 Yet a man H120 is risen H6965 to pursue H7291 thee, and to seek H1245 thy soul: H5315 but the soul H5315 of my lord H113 shall be bound H6887 in the bundle H6872 of life H2416 with the LORD H3068 thy God; H430 and the souls H5315 of thine enemies, H341 them shall he sling out, H7049 as out of the middle H8432 H3709 of a sling. H7050
30 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD H3068 shall have done H6213 to my lord H113 according to all the good H2896 that he hath spoken H1696 concerning thee, and shall have appointed H6680 thee ruler H5057 over Israel; H3478
31 That this shall be no grief H6330 unto thee, nor offence H4383 of heart H3820 unto my lord, H113 either that thou hast shed H8210 blood H1818 causeless, H2600 or that my lord H113 hath avenged H3467 himself: but when the LORD H3068 shall have dealt well H3190 with my lord, H113 then remember H2142 thine handmaid. H519
32 And David H1732 said H559 to Abigail, H26 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel, H3478 which sent H7971 thee this day H3117 to meet H7125 me:
33 And blessed H1288 be thy advice, H2940 and blessed H1288 be thou, which hast kept H3607 me this day H3117 from coming H935 to shed blood, H1818 and from avenging H3467 myself with mine own hand. H3027
34 For in very deed, H199 as the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 liveth, H2416 which hath kept me back H4513 from hurting H7489 thee, except H3884 thou hadst hasted H4116 and come H935 to meet H7125 me, surely there had not been left H3498 unto Nabal H5037 by the morning H1242 light H216 any that pisseth H8366 against the wall. H7023
35 So David H1732 received H3947 of her hand H3027 that which she had brought H935 him, and said H559 unto her, Go up H5927 in peace H7965 to thine house; H1004 see, H7200 I have hearkened H8085 to thy voice, H6963 and have accepted H5375 thy person. H6440
36 And Abigail H26 came H935 to Nabal; H5037 and, behold, he held a feast H4960 in his house, H1004 like the feast H4960 of a king; H4428 and Nabal's H5037 heart H3820 was merry H2896 within him, for he was very H3966 drunken: H7910 wherefore she told H5046 him nothing, H1697 less H6996 or more, H1419 until the morning H1242 light. H216
37 But it came to pass in the morning, H1242 when the wine H3196 was gone out H3318 of Nabal, H5037 and his wife H802 had told H5046 him these things, H1697 that his heart H3820 died H4191 within H7130 him, and he became as a stone. H68
38 And it came to pass about ten H6235 days H3117 after, that the LORD H3068 smote H5062 Nabal, H5037 that he died. H4191
39 And when David H1732 heard H8085 that Nabal H5037 was dead, H4191 he said, H559 Blessed H1288 be the LORD, H3068 that hath pleaded H7378 the cause H7379 of my reproach H2781 from the hand H3027 of Nabal, H5037 and hath kept H2820 his servant H5650 from evil: H7451 for the LORD H3068 hath returned H7725 the wickedness H7451 of Nabal H5037 upon his own head. H7218 And David H1732 sent H7971 and communed H1696 with Abigail, H26 to take H3947 her to him to wife. H802
40 And when the servants H5650 of David H1732 were come H935 to Abigail H26 to Carmel, H3760 they spake H1696 unto her, saying, H559 David H1732 sent H7971 us unto thee, to take H3947 thee to him to wife. H802
41 And she arose, H6965 and bowed H7812 herself on her face H639 to the earth, H776 and said, H559 Behold, let thine handmaid H519 be a servant H8198 to wash H7364 the feet H7272 of the servants H5650 of my lord. H113
42 And Abigail H26 hasted, H4116 and arose, H6965 and rode H7392 upon an ass, H2543 with five H2568 damsels H5291 of hers that went H1980 after H7272 her; and she went H3212 after H310 the messengers H4397 of David, H1732 and became his wife. H802
43 David H1732 also took H3947 Ahinoam H293 of Jezreel; H3157 and they were also both H8147 of them his wives. H802
44 But Saul H7586 had given H5414 Michal H4324 his daughter, H1323 David's H1732 wife, H802 to Phalti H6406 the son H1121 of Laish, H3919 which was of Gallim. H1554
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Samuel 25
Commentary on 1 Samuel 25 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 25
1Sa 25:1-9. Samuel Dies.
1. Samuel died—After a long life of piety and public usefulness, he left behind him a reputation which ranks him among the greatest of Scripture worthies.
buried him in his house at Ramah—that is, his own mausoleum. The Hebrews took as great care to provide sepulchers anciently as people do in the East still, where every respectable family has its own house of the dead. Often this is in a little detached garden, containing a small stone building (where there is no rock), resembling a house, which is called the sepulcher of the family—it has neither door nor window.
David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran—This removal had probably no connection with the prophet's death; but was probably occasioned by the necessity of seeking provision for his numerous followers.
the wilderness of Paran—stretching from Sinai to the borders of Palestine in the southern territories of Judea. Like other wildernesses, it presented large tracts of natural pasture, to which the people sent their cattle at the grazing season, but where they were liable to constant and heavy depredations by prowling Arabs. David and his men earned their subsistence by making reprisals on the cattle of these freebooting Ishmaelites; and, frequently for their useful services, they obtained voluntary tokens of acknowledgment from the peaceful inhabitants.
2. in Carmel—now Kurmul. The district takes its name from this town, now a mass of ruins; and about a mile from it is Tell Main, the hillock on which stood ancient Maon.
the man was very great—His property consisted in cattle, and he was considered wealthy, according to the ideas of that age.
3. he was of the house of Caleb—of course, of the same tribe with David himself; but many versions consider Caleb ("dog") not as a proper, but a common noun, and render it, "he was snappish as a dog."
4-9. Nabal did shear his sheep, and David sent out ten young men, &c.—David and his men lurked in these deserts, associating with the herdsmen and shepherds of Nabal and others and doing them good offices, probably in return for information and supplies obtained through them. Hence when Nabal held his annual sheep-shearing in Carmel, David felt himself entitled to share in the festival and sent a message, recounting his own services and asking for a present. "In all these particulars we were deeply struck with the truth and strength of the biblical description of manners and customs almost identically the same as they exist at the present day. On such a festive occasion, near a town or village, even in our own time, an Arab sheik of the neighboring desert would hardly fail to put in a word either in person or by message; and his message, both in form and substance, would be only a transcript of that of David" [Robinson].
1Sa 25:10-13. The Churlish Answer Provokes Him.
10-12. Nabal answered David's servants, … Who is David? &c.—Nabal's answer seems to indicate that the country was at the time in a loose and disorderly state. David's own good conduct, however, as well as the important services rendered by him and his men, were readily attested by Nabal's servants. The preparations of David to chastise his insolent language and ungrateful requital are exactly what would be done in the present day by Arab chiefs, who protect the cattle of the large and wealthy sheep masters from the attacks of the marauding border tribes or wild beasts. Their protection creates a claim for some kind of tribute, in the shape of supplies of food and necessaries, which is usually given with great good will and gratitude; but when withheld, is enforced as a right. Nabal's refusal, therefore, was a violation of the established usages of the place.
13. two hundred abode by the stuff—This addition to his followers was made after his return into Judah (see 1Sa 22:2).
1Sa 25:14-35. Abigail Pacifies Him.
14-18. Then Abigail made haste—The prudence and address of Nabal's wife were the means of saving him and family from utter destruction. She acknowledged the demand of her formidable neighbors; but justly considering, that to atone for the insolence of her husband, a greater degree of liberality had become necessary, she collected a large amount of food, accompanying it with the most valued products of the country.
bottles—goatskins, capable of holding a great quantity.
parched corn—It was customary to eat parched corn when it was fully grown, but not ripe.
19. she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you—People in the East always try to produce an effect by their presents, loading on several beasts what might be easily carried by one, and bringing them forward, article by article, in succession. Abigail not only sent her servants in this way, but resolved to go in person, following her present, as is commonly done, to watch the impression which her munificence would produce.
23. she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face—Dismounting in presence of a superior is the highest token of respect that can be given; and it is still an essential act of homage to the great. Accompanying this act of courtesy with the lowest form of prostration, she not only by her attitude, but her language, made the fullest amends for the disrespect shown by her husband, as well as paid the fullest tribute of respect to the character and claims of David.
25. Nabal—signifying fool, gave pertinence to his wife's remark.
26. let thine enemies … be as Nabal—be as foolish and contemptible as he.
29. the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God—An Orientalism, expressing the perfect security of David's life from all the assaults of his enemies, under the protecting shield of Providence, who had destined him for high things.
32-35. David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord—Transported by passion and blinded by revenge, he was on the eve of perpetrating a great injury. Doubtless, the timely appearance and prudent address of Abigail were greatly instrumental in changing his purpose. At all events, it was the means of opening his eyes to the moral character of the course on which he had been impetuously rushing; and in accepting her present, he speaks with lively satisfaction as well as gratitude to Abigail, for having relieved him from bloodshed.
1Sa 25:36-44. Nabal's Death.
36. he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king—The sheep-shearing season was always a very joyous occasion. Masters usually entertained their shepherds; and even Nabal, though of a most niggardly disposition, prepared festivities on a scale of sumptuous liberality. The modern Arabs celebrate the season with similar hilarity.
37, 38. in the morning … his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him—He probably fainted from horror at the perilous situation in which he had unconsciously placed himself; and such a shock had been given him by the fright to his whole system, that he rapidly pined and died.
39-42. the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head—If this was an expression of pleasure, and David's vindictive feelings were gratified by the intelligence of Nabal's death, it was an instance of human infirmity which we may lament; but perhaps he referred to the unmerited reproach (1Sa 25:10, 11), and the contempt of God implied in it.
David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to wife—This unceremonious proceeding was quite in the style of Eastern monarchs, who no sooner take a fancy for a lady than they despatch a messenger to intimate their royal wishes that she should henceforth reside in the palace; and her duty is implicitly to obey. David's conduct shows that the manners of the Eastern nations were already imitated by the great men in Israel; and that the morality of the times which God permitted, gave its sanction to the practice of polygamy. His marriage with Abigail brought him a rich estate.
44. Michal—By the unchallengeable will of her father, she who was David's wife was given to another. But she returned and sustained the character of his wife when he ascended the throne.