11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don't know where they come from?
The princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?
and [lest] you say in your heart, My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good understanding, and of a beautiful face: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to Greet our master; and he railed at them. But the men were very good to us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we anything, as long as we went with them, when we were in the fields:
Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit. They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
Cast your bread on the waters; For you shall find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; For you don't know what evil will be on the earth.
as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;
So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Samuel 25
Commentary on 1 Samuel 25 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 25
We have here some intermission of David's troubles by Saul. Providence favoured him with a breathing time, and yet this chapter gives us instances of the troubles of David. If one vexation seems to be over, we must not be secure; a storm may arise from some other point, as here to David.
1Sa 25:1
We have here a short account of Samuel's death and burial.
1Sa 25:2-11
Here begins the story of Nabal.
1Sa 25:12-17
Here is,
1Sa 25:18-31
We have here an account of Abigail's prudent management for the preserving of her husband and family from the destruction that was just coming upon them; and we find that she did her part admirably well and fully answered her character. The passion of fools often makes those breaches in a little time which the wise, with all their wisdom, have much ado to make up again. It is hard to say whether Abigail was more miserable in such a husband or Nabal happy in such a wife. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, to protect as well as adorn, and will do him good and not evil. Wisdom in such a case as this was better than weapons of war.
Abigail must endeavour to atone for Nabal's faults. Now he had been in two ways rude to David's messengers, and in them to David: He had denied them the provisions they asked for, and he had given them very provoking language. Now,
1Sa 25:32-35
As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear, Prov. 25:12. Abigail was a wise reprover of David's passion, and he gave an obedient ear to the reproof, according to his own principle (Ps. 141:5): Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness. Never was such an admonition either better given or better taken.
1Sa 25:36-44
We are now to attend Nabal's funeral and Abigail's wedding.