
Text -- 1 Samuel 25:31-44 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: 1Sa 25:31 - -- The mind and conscience will be free from all the torment which such an action would cause in thee. By which, she intimates, what a blemish this would...
The mind and conscience will be free from all the torment which such an action would cause in thee. By which, she intimates, what a blemish this would be to his glory, what a disturbance to his peace, if he proceeded to execute his purpose: and withal implies, how comfortable it would be to him to remember, that he had for conscience to God, restrained his passions.

Wesley: 1Sa 25:31 - -- Which she signifies would be done if he should go on. For though Nabal had been guilty of abominable rudeness, and ingratitude; yet he had done nothin...
Which she signifies would be done if he should go on. For though Nabal had been guilty of abominable rudeness, and ingratitude; yet he had done nothing worthy of death, by the laws of God or of man. And whatsoever he had done, the rest of his family were innocent.


When God shall make thee king, let me find grace in thy sight.

Wesley: 1Sa 25:32 - -- Who by his gracious providence so disposed matters, that thou shouldst come to me: He rightly begins at the fountain of his deliverance; and then proc...
Who by his gracious providence so disposed matters, that thou shouldst come to me: He rightly begins at the fountain of his deliverance; and then proceeds to the instruments.

Wesley: 1Sa 25:33 - -- _Which I had sworn to do. Hereby it plainly appears, that oaths whereby men bind themselves to any sin, are null and void: and as it was a sin to make...
_Which I had sworn to do. Hereby it plainly appears, that oaths whereby men bind themselves to any sin, are null and void: and as it was a sin to make them; so it is adding sin to sin to perform them.

That is, shewed my acceptance of thy person, by my grant of thy request.

Wesley: 1Sa 25:36 - -- As the manner was upon those solemn occasions. Sordid covetousness, and vain prodigality were met together in him.
As the manner was upon those solemn occasions. Sordid covetousness, and vain prodigality were met together in him.

Wesley: 1Sa 25:36 - -- As he was then incapable of admonition, his reason and conscience being both asleep.
As he was then incapable of admonition, his reason and conscience being both asleep.

Wesley: 1Sa 25:37 - -- He fainted away through the fear and horror of so great a mischief though it was past. As one, who having in the night galloped over a narrow plank, l...
He fainted away through the fear and horror of so great a mischief though it was past. As one, who having in the night galloped over a narrow plank, laid upon a broken bridge, over a deep river; when in the morning he came to review it, was struck dead with the horror of the danger he had been in.

Wesley: 1Sa 25:38 - -- God either inflicted some other stroke upon him, or increased his grief and fear to such an height, as killed him.
God either inflicted some other stroke upon him, or increased his grief and fear to such an height, as killed him.

_This was another instance of human infirmity in David.

Wesley: 1Sa 25:39 - -- But this doubtless was not done immediately after Nabal's death, but some time after it; though such circumstances be commonly omitted in the sacred h...
But this doubtless was not done immediately after Nabal's death, but some time after it; though such circumstances be commonly omitted in the sacred history; which gives only the heads, and most important passages of things.
JFB: 1Sa 25:32-35 - -- Transported by passion and blinded by revenge, he was on the eve of perpetrating a great injury. Doubtless, the timely appearance and prudent address ...
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.

JFB: 1Sa 25:36 - -- The sheep-shearing season was always a very joyous occasion. Masters usually entertained their shepherds; and even Nabal, though of a most niggardly d...
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.

JFB: 1Sa 25:37-38 - -- 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 fri...
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.

JFB: 1Sa 25:39-42 - -- 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 huma...
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.

JFB: 1Sa 25:39-42 - -- 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 inti...
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.

JFB: 1Sa 25:44 - -- 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 whe...
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.
Clarke: 1Sa 25:37 - -- His heart died within him, and he became as a stone - He was thunderstruck, and was so terrified at the apprehension of what he had escaped, that th...
His heart died within him, and he became as a stone - He was thunderstruck, and was so terrified at the apprehension of what he had escaped, that the fear overcame his mind, he became insensible to all things around him, probably refused all kinds of nourishment, and died in ten days.

Clarke: 1Sa 25:39 - -- To take her to him to wife - It is likely that he had heard before this that Saul, to cut off all his pretensions to the throne, had married Michal ...
To take her to him to wife - It is likely that he had heard before this that Saul, to cut off all his pretensions to the throne, had married Michal to Phalti; and this justified David in taking Abigail or any other woman; and, according to the then custom, it was not unlawful for David to take several wives. By his marriage with Abigail, it is probable he became possessed of all Nabal’ s property in Carmel and Maon.

Clarke: 1Sa 25:43 - -- David also took Ahinoam - Many think that this was his wife before he took Abigail; she is always mentioned first in the list of his wives, and she ...
David also took Ahinoam - Many think that this was his wife before he took Abigail; she is always mentioned first in the list of his wives, and she was the mother of his eldest son Ammon

Clarke: 1Sa 25:43 - -- Of Jezreel - There were two places of this name; one in the tribe of Issachar, the other in the tribe of Judah.
Of Jezreel - There were two places of this name; one in the tribe of Issachar, the other in the tribe of Judah.

Clarke: 1Sa 25:44 - -- Of Gallim - Probably a city or town in the tribe of Benjamin; see Isa 10:30. It is likely therefore that Saul chose this man because he was of his o...
Of Gallim - Probably a city or town in the tribe of Benjamin; see Isa 10:30. It is likely therefore that Saul chose this man because he was of his own tribe
In this chapter we have the account of the death of Samuel, who from his infancy had been devoted to God and the service of his people. He was born at a time in which religion was at a very low ebb in Israel, as there were but very few prophets, and no open vision - scarcely any revelation from God. Those who might be called prophets had no regular ministry of God’ s word; they were extraordinary messengers sent for a particular purpose, and not continued in the work any longer than the time necessary to deliver their extraordinary message
Samuel is supposed to have been the first who established academies or schools for prophets, at least we do not hear of them before his time; and it is granted that they continued till the Babylonish captivity. This was a wise institution, and no doubt contributed much to the maintenance of pure religion, and the prevention of idolatry among that people
Samuel reformed many abuses in the Jewish state, and raised it to a pitch of political consequence to which it had been long a stranger. He was very zealous for the honor of God, and supported the rights of pure religion, of the king, and of the people, against all encroachments. He was chief magistrate in Israel before the appointment of a king, and afterwards he acted as prime minister to Saul, though without being chosen or formally appointed to that station. Indeed, he seems on the whole to have been the civil and ecclesiastical governor, Saul being little more than general of the Israelitish forces
In his office of minister in the state, he gave the brightest example of zeal, diligence, inflexible integrity, and uncorruptedness. He reproved both the people and the king for their transgressions, with a boldness which nothing but his sense of the Divine authority could inspire, and yet he tempered it with a sweetness which showed the interest he felt in their welfare, and the deep and distressing concern he felt for their back-slidings and infidelities
He was incorrupt; he received no man’ s bribe; he had no pension from the state; he enriched none of his relatives from the public purse; left no private debts to be discharged by his country. He was among the Hebrews what Aristides is said to have been among the Greeks, so poor at his death, though a minister of state, that he did not leave property enough to bury him. Justice was by him duly and impartially administered, and oppression and wrong had no existence
If there ever was a heaven-born minister, it was Samuel; in whose public and private conduct there was no blemish, and whose parallel cannot be found in the ancient or modern history of any country in the universe
Let ministers of state who have sought for nothing but their own glory, and have increased the public burdens by their improvident expenditure; who have endeavored, by their wordy representations, to dazzle and elude the people, and impose false grandeur in the place of true greatness and solid prosperity; who have oppressed the many, and enriched the worthless few; fall down at the feet of This heaven-born man, and learn, from this immaculate judge of Israel, what a faithful servant to his king, and an incorruptible minister of state, means, and in retiring from their high station, or in going to appear before the judgment-seat of God, see whether, in the presence of their king, and in the face of the thousands of their people, they can boldly say, "Behold, here am I! Witness against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose ass have I seized? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed, by the imposition of heavy taxes for the support of needless expenses, and the payment of venal men? Or of whose hand have I taken any bribe to blind my eyes? Scrutinize my conduct, examine the state of my family, compare their present circumstances with what they were previously to my administration, and see if you can find aught in my hands."See 1Sa 12:1, etc
O, how seldom in the annals of the world, from the assembled heads of the great body politic, can the departing prime minister hear, "Thou hast not defrauded us, thou hast not oppressed us; neither hast thou taken aught of any man’ s hand!"This voice call be heard from Gilgal; but of what other minister can this be spoken but of Samuel the seer, who was the gift of God’ s mercy to the people of Israel; whose memory was too precious to be intrusted to public monuments, but stands, and alas; almost unique in the Book of God? Of Daniel, and his administration, I shall have occasion to speak elsewhere
A prime minister, deeply devoted to God and faithful to his king and to his country, is so rare a character in the world, that when he does occur, he should be held up to public admiration. But I have no parallel for Samuel. See the notes on 1 Samuel 12:1-25 (note) and on 1Sa 24:6 (note).
Defender: 1Sa 25:38 - -- David learned an important lesson through Abigail's willingness to humble herself and apologize for her husband's churlishness - a lesson even more im...
David learned an important lesson through Abigail's willingness to humble herself and apologize for her husband's churlishness - a lesson even more important for Christian believers today. "Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Rom 12:19; Deu 32:35)."

Defender: 1Sa 25:42 - -- Abigail's wise and gracious actions not only saved the lives of many people, but demonstrated that she was, indeed, fit to be a future queen."
Abigail's wise and gracious actions not only saved the lives of many people, but demonstrated that she was, indeed, fit to be a future queen."

Defender: 1Sa 25:44 - -- This further insulting action on Saul's part was later redressed by David when he required Michal to be returned to him (2Sa 3:14-16)."
This further insulting action on Saul's part was later redressed by David when he required Michal to be returned to him (2Sa 3:14-16)."
TSK: 1Sa 25:31 - -- grief : Heb. staggering, or, stumbling, Pro 5:12, Pro 5:13; Rom 14:21; 2Co 1:12
avenged : 1Sa 25:33, 1Sa 24:15, 1Sa 26:23; 2Sa 22:48; Psa 94:1; Rom 12...

TSK: 1Sa 25:32 - -- David overlooks the rich and seasonable present of Abigail, though pressed with hunger and wearied with travel; but her advice, which disarmed his rag...
David overlooks the rich and seasonable present of Abigail, though pressed with hunger and wearied with travel; but her advice, which disarmed his rage, and calmed his revenge, draws forth these high and affectionate gratulations. These were his joyful and glorious trophies; not over his enemies, but over himself.
Gen 24:27; Exo 18:10; Ezr 7:27; Psa 41:12, Psa 41:13, Psa 72:18; Luk 1:68; 2Co 8:16

TSK: 1Sa 25:33 - -- blessed : Psa 141:5; Pro 9:9, Pro 17:10, Pro 25:12, Pro 27:21, Pro 28:23
which hast : 1Sa 25:26
avenging : 1Sa 25:26, 1Sa 25:31, 1Sa 24:19, 1Sa 26:9, ...

TSK: 1Sa 25:34 - -- kept me back : 1Sa 25:26
hasted : 1Sa 25:18, 1Sa 11:11; Jos 10:6, Jos 10:9
there had : 1Sa 25:22

TSK: 1Sa 25:35 - -- Go up : 1Sa 20:42; 2Sa 15:9; 2Ki 5:19; Luk 7:50, Luk 8:48
accepted : Gen 19:21; Job 34:19

TSK: 1Sa 25:36 - -- a feast : 2Sa 13:23; Est 1:3-7; Luk 14:12
merry : 2Sa 13:28; 1Ki 20:16; Pro 20:1, Pro 23:29-35; Ecc 2:2, Ecc 2:3, Ecc 10:19; Isa 28:3, Isa 28:7, Isa 2...

TSK: 1Sa 25:37 - -- had told him : 1Sa 25:22, 1Sa 25:34
his heart : Deu 28:28; Job 15:21, Job 15:22; Pro 23:29-35

TSK: 1Sa 25:38 - -- the Lord : 1Sa 25:33, 1Sa 6:9; Exo 12:29; 2Ki 15:5, 2Ki 19:35; 2Ch 10:15; Act 12:23

TSK: 1Sa 25:39 - -- Blessed : 1Sa 25:32; Jdg 5:2; 2Sa 22:47-49; Psa 58:10, Psa 58:11; Rev 19:1-4
pleaded : Pro 22:23; Lam 3:58-60; Mic 7:9
kept his servant : 1Sa 25:26, 1...
Blessed : 1Sa 25:32; Jdg 5:2; 2Sa 22:47-49; Psa 58:10, Psa 58:11; Rev 19:1-4
pleaded : Pro 22:23; Lam 3:58-60; Mic 7:9
kept his servant : 1Sa 25:26, 1Sa 25:34; Hos 2:6, Hos 2:7; 2Co 13:7; 1Th 5:23; 2Ti 4:18
hath returned : 2Sa 3:28, 2Sa 3:29; 1Ki 2:44; Est 7:10; Psa 7:16
to take her : It is probable that David had heard that Saul, to cut off his pretensions to the throne, had married Michal to Phalti; and this justified him in taking Abigail, it not being then unlawful for a man to have several wives. This conduct of David’ s corresponds with the manner in which the Oriental princes generally form their matrimonial alliances. ""The king of Abyssinia,""says Mr. Bruce, ""sends an officer to the house where the lady lives, who announces to her that it is the king’ s pleasure she should remove instantly to the palace. She then dresses herself in the best manner, and immediately obeys. Thenceforward he assigns her an apartment in the palace, and gives her a house elsewhere in any part she chooses.""Pro 18:22, Pro 19:14, Pro 31:10, Pro 31:30


TSK: 1Sa 25:41 - -- thine : Rth 2:10, Rth 2:13; Pro 15:33, Pro 18:12
to wash : Gen 18:4; Joh 13:3-5; 1Ti 5:10

TSK: 1Sa 25:42 - -- Abigail : Gen 24:61-67; Psa 45:10, Psa 45:11
after her : Heb. at her feet, 1Sa 25:27
Abigail : Gen 24:61-67; Psa 45:10, Psa 45:11
after her : Heb. at her feet, 1Sa 25:27

TSK: 1Sa 25:43 - -- Jezreel : Jos 15:56; 2Sa 3:2
both : Gen 2:24; Mat 19:5, Mat 19:8
his wives : 1Sa 27:3, 1Sa 30:5; 2Sa 5:13-16

TSK: 1Sa 25:44 - -- But Saul : Rather, ""For Saul,""etc., as the particle ו , wav , frequently signifies; this being the cause why David took another wife.
Michal : 1...
But Saul : Rather, ""For Saul,""etc., as the particle
Phalti : 2Sa 3:14, 2Sa 3:14, Phaltiel
Gallim : This town appears to have been situated in the tribe of Benjamin, as it is mentioned in Isa 10:30, with Michmash, Geba, etc.

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: 1Sa 25:37 - -- He became as a stone - Probably his violent anger at hearing it brought on a fit of apoplexy to which he was disposed by the drunken revel of t...
He became as a stone - Probably his violent anger at hearing it brought on a fit of apoplexy to which he was disposed by the drunken revel of the night before. After lying senseless for ten days he died.

Barnes: 1Sa 25:40 - -- There is no note of the exact interval that elapsed between Nabal’ s death and David’ s hearing of it, or, again, between David’ s he...
There is no note of the exact interval that elapsed between Nabal’ s death and David’ s hearing of it, or, again, between David’ s hearing of it and his message to Abigail; nor is there any reason to suppose that the marriage took place with unbecoming haste. The widow of such a husband as Nabal had been could not, however, be expected to revere his memory. After the usual mourning of seven days, she would probably feel herself free to act as custom allowed. (See 2Sa 11:26.)

Barnes: 1Sa 25:43 - -- In the list of David’ s wives Ahinoam is mentioned first 2Sa 3:2; 1Ch 3:1. But this may be only because her son was the first-born. David’...
In the list of David’ s wives Ahinoam is mentioned first 2Sa 3:2; 1Ch 3:1. But this may be only because her son was the first-born. David’ s now taking two wives was an indication of his growing power and importance as a chieftain. The number was increased to six when he reigned in Hebron 1Ch 3:1, and still further when he became king of all Israel 2Sa 5:12-13. See 1Sa 1:2 note.
Of Jezreel - Not the well-known city of Samaria, which gave its name to the plain of Esdraelon, but a town of Judah, near Carmel (marginal reference).

Barnes: 1Sa 25:44 - -- Saul’ s giving Michal to Phalti was intended to mark the final rupture of his own relations with David (compare Jdg 14:20; 2Sa 3:7; 2Sa 16:21)....
Saul’ s giving Michal to Phalti was intended to mark the final rupture of his own relations with David (compare Jdg 14:20; 2Sa 3:7; 2Sa 16:21). Phalti or Phaltiel Was compelled by Abner to restore Michal to David 2Sa 3:15.
Gallin - A city of Benjamin, and in the neighborhood of another town called Laish.
Poole: 1Sa 25:31 - -- Nor offence of heart unto my lord thy mind and conscience will be free from all the torment which the guilt and shame of such an action would cause i...
Nor offence of heart unto my lord thy mind and conscience will be free from all the torment which the guilt and shame of such an action would cause in thee. By which, she cunningly insinuates what a blemish this would be to his glory, what a disturbance to his peace and felicity, if he proceeded to execute his purpose; and withal implies how sweet and comfortable it would be to him to remember, that he had for conscience to God denied himself, and restrained his passions.
That thou hast shed blood causeless which she signifies would be done if he should go on. For though Nabal had been guilty of abominable rudeness, uncharitableness, and ingratitude; yet he had done nothing worthy of death, by the laws of God or of man. And whatsoever he had done, the rest of his family were innocent.
That my lord hath avenged himself which is directly contrary to God’ s law, Lev 19:18 Deu 32:35 , compared with Rom 12:19 .
When the Lord shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid when God shall make thee king, and I shall have occasion to apply myself to time for justice or relief, let me find grace in thy sight, and so let me do at this time. Or, and the Lord will bless my lord , and recompense thee for this mortification of thy passion, and thou wilt remember thine hand-maid , i.e. thou wilt remember my counsel with satisfaction to thyself; and thankfulness to me.

Poole: 1Sa 25:32 - -- Which by his gracious and singular providence so disposed matters that thou shouldst, come to rule. He rightly begins at the fountain of this delive...
Which by his gracious and singular providence so disposed matters that thou shouldst, come to rule. He rightly begins at the fountain of this deliverance, which was God; and then proceeds to the instruments.

Poole: 1Sa 25:33 - -- Blessed be thy advice and blessed be thou, i.e. the Lord bless and recompense thee for this thy good advice.
From coming to shed blood which I had ...
Blessed be thy advice and blessed be thou, i.e. the Lord bless and recompense thee for this thy good advice.
From coming to shed blood which I had sworn to do. Hereby it plainly appears that oaths whereby men bind themselves to any sin are null and void; and as it was a sin to make them, so it is adding sin to sin to perform them.

Poole: 1Sa 25:34 - -- Hath kept me back from hurting thee not that he intended to kill her, but the males only; as was noted in 1Sa 25:22 . But their destruction was a dre...
Hath kept me back from hurting thee not that he intended to kill her, but the males only; as was noted in 1Sa 25:22 . But their destruction was a dreadful affliction and damage to her.

Poole: 1Sa 25:35 - -- i.e. Showed my acceptance of thy person, by my grant of thy request: see Gen 19:21 .
i.e. Showed my acceptance of thy person, by my grant of thy request: see Gen 19:21 .

Poole: 1Sa 25:36 - -- Like the feast of a king as the manner was upon those solemn occasions. Sordid covetousness and vain prodigality were met together in him.
She told ...
Like the feast of a king as the manner was upon those solemn occasions. Sordid covetousness and vain prodigality were met together in him.
She told him nothing he being then incapable of admonition, his reason and conscience being both asleep.

Poole: 1Sa 25:37 - -- He was oppressed with grief, and fainted away through the fear and horror of so great a mischief, though it was past. As one who, having in the nigh...
He was oppressed with grief, and fainted away through the fear and horror of so great a mischief, though it was past. As one who, having in the night galloped over a narrow plank, laid upon a broken bridge, over a deep river, when in the morning he came to review it, was struck dead with. the horror of the danger he was in.

Poole: 1Sa 25:38 - -- God either inflicted some other stroke or disease upon him, or increased his grief and fear to such a height as killed him.
God either inflicted some other stroke or disease upon him, or increased his grief and fear to such a height as killed him.

Poole: 1Sa 25:39 - -- How could David rejoice at the death of his enemy?
Answ Although it may be said that he rejoiced not in Nabal’ s death as such, but only in t...
How could David rejoice at the death of his enemy?
Answ Although it may be said that he rejoiced not in Nabal’ s death as such, but only in the declaration of God’ s justice in punishing so great a wickedness; which was an honour to God, and a document, and therefore a benefit to mankind, and so a public good, and cause of joy; yet the matter is not weighty, if we confess that this was another instance of human infirmity in David, and that it is not proposed for our imitation, but for our caution. Yet it may be further said, that this was not purely an act of private revenge, because David was a public person, and anointed king; and therefore Nabal’ s reproach cast upon David above, 1Sa 25:10,11 , was a contempt of God, and of his ordinance and appointment; which was vindicated by this remarkable judgment.
Hath kept his servant from evil i.e. from the sin of bloodshed and self-revenge, 1Sa 25:33 .
David sent to wit, messengers; which he thought fitter than to go himself; partly because if he had met with a repulse, it had been less ignominious; and partly because he would leave her to her freedom and choice, and would not so much as seem to take her by violence. But this doubtless was not done immediately after Nabal’ s death, but in some convenient space of time after it; though such circumstances be commonly omitted in the sacred history, which gives only the threads and most important passages of things.

Poole: 1Sa 25:41 - -- She showed this reverence, and spake thus to them, as representing David’ s person.
She showed this reverence, and spake thus to them, as representing David’ s person.

Poole: 1Sa 25:42 - -- She went after the messengers not immediately, but some convenient time after they were gone. She considered not David’ s present straits and pe...
She went after the messengers not immediately, but some convenient time after they were gone. She considered not David’ s present straits and penury, which site thought her plentiful estate might supply; nor his danger from Saul; but by a true and strong faith rested upon God’ s promise made to David, not doubting but God would perform it.

Poole: 1Sa 25:44 - -- But or for , as the Hebrew vau is ofttimes used. For this seems to be added as a reason why David took other wives, because Saul had given his for...
But or for , as the Hebrew vau is ofttimes used. For this seems to be added as a reason why David took other wives, because Saul had given his former wife to another man, that he might as far as he could extinguish all relation and kindred to him, whom he hated; and withal, cut off his hopes and pretence to the crown upon that account.
Haydock: 1Sa 25:31 - -- Scruple. Hebrew, "scandal," or sin, for David might defend himself, but ought not to attack or take revenge, like a king. (Grotius) ---
Innocent. ...
Scruple. Hebrew, "scandal," or sin, for David might defend himself, but ought not to attack or take revenge, like a king. (Grotius) ---
Innocent. Many of Nabal's family were such, and even his fault did not deserve death. Hebrew, "shed blood without cause." (Calmet) ---
Handmaid, who has suggested this good advice. (Menochius) ---
David was so much pleased with her prudence and beauty, that he afterwards married her.

Speech. Hebrew, "advice, or wisdom." Septuagint, "conduct." (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Sa 25:35 - -- Face. I have been pleased with thy coming, and granted thy request. (Haydock) ---
David had sworn with too much haste. (Calmet) ---
"It is somet...
Face. I have been pleased with thy coming, and granted thy request. (Haydock) ---
David had sworn with too much haste. (Calmet) ---
"It is sometimes wrong to perform what has been promised, and to keep an oath." (St. Ambrose, Off. i. C. ultra[last chapter])

Haydock: 1Sa 25:36 - -- Morning. Admirable pattern of discretion, and how reprimands may be made with advantage. (Calmet) ---
A medicine given at an improper time often d...
Morning. Admirable pattern of discretion, and how reprimands may be made with advantage. (Calmet) ---
A medicine given at an improper time often does harm. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xvii. 27.) When a person said to Cleostratus, "Are you not ashamed to get drunk?" he replied, "Are you not ashamed to rebuke a drunken man?"

Haydock: 1Sa 25:37 - -- Stone. Stupified at the thought of the imminent danger to which he had foolishly exposed himself. So the poets represent Niobe as metamorphosed int...
Stone. Stupified at the thought of the imminent danger to which he had foolishly exposed himself. So the poets represent Niobe as metamorphosed into a stone, at the hearing of her children's death. (Tirinus) ---
Josephus intimates that Nabal was killed by the malignant influence of the stars, sideratus. (Antiquities, vi. 14.) Thus, says he, David "learnt that no wicked person can escape the vengeance of God, and that Providence does not neglect human affairs, and abandon them to chance."

Haydock: 1Sa 25:39 - -- Blessed be, &c. David praises God on this occasion, not out of joy for the death of Nabal, (which would have argued a rancour of heart) but because ...
Blessed be, &c. David praises God on this occasion, not out of joy for the death of Nabal, (which would have argued a rancour of heart) but because he saw that God had so visibly taken his cause in hand, in punishing the injury done to him; whilst, by a merciful providence, he kept him from revenging himself. (Challoner) (Psalm lvii. 10.)

Haydock: 1Sa 25:41 - -- Thy servant. She speaks to David's representatives, as if he had been present. (Haydock) ---
The marriage was proposed probably a month or two aft...
Thy servant. She speaks to David's representatives, as if he had been present. (Haydock) ---
The marriage was proposed probably a month or two after the death of Nabal; and Abigail followed the messengers, in a short time. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Sa 25:43 - -- Took, or "had taken before," according to Josephus. Hence she is placed first, (Calmet) as the mother of David's first-born, Amnon, 2 Kings iii. 2. ...
Took, or "had taken before," according to Josephus. Hence she is placed first, (Calmet) as the mother of David's first-born, Amnon, 2 Kings iii. 2. (Menochius) ---
Michol, whom he married first, had no children. (Haydock) ---
Jezrahel, a city of Juda. (Menochius) (Josue xv. 56.) ---
There was another more famous place of this name is Issachar.

Haydock: 1Sa 25:44 - -- Phalti, or Phaltiel, 2 Kings iii. 15. Saul violated all laws by so doing, and David took her back when he came to the throne, which he could not hav...
Phalti, or Phaltiel, 2 Kings iii. 15. Saul violated all laws by so doing, and David took her back when he came to the throne, which he could not have done if he had given her a bill of divorce, Deuteronomy xxiv. 4. (Calmet) ---
Michol was not blameless in living thus with another man. (Menochius) ---
The Rabbins say that a sword hindered Phalti from approaching her. (Horn in Sulp.) ---
Gallim, a city of Benjamin, Isaias x. 30. (Calmet)
Gill: 1Sa 25:31 - -- This shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord,.... It would give him no trouble, nor distress of mind, or sit uneasy on his cons...
This shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord,.... It would give him no trouble, nor distress of mind, or sit uneasy on his conscience:
either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself; which she suggests it might do, if he had shed the blood of Nabal's family, his children and servants, who were no ways concerned with him in his rudeness and ingratitude; or had avenged himself on him for the same, by taking away his life, which such crimes, however great and aggravated, did not deserve; but, on the contrary, it would be a satisfaction and pleasure to him to reflect upon it, that he had passed over such an offence, and shed no blood on account of it:
but when the Lord shall have dealt well with my lord; by delivering him out of the hands of all his enemies, and have raised him to, and settled him on the throne of Israel, of which she made no doubt:
then remember thine handmaid; the advice she gave not to shed blood, and take vengeance, for which he would then be thankful, and gratefully remember: some, as Ben Gersom, think she said this under a spirit of prophecy, that Nabal should die quickly, and she should be David's wife; but rather her meaning is, that when he should be king, and she should apply to him on any account, to have justice done her, and to be assisted and relieved when oppressed, that he would then remember her, and show her favour.

Gill: 1Sa 25:32 - -- And David said to Abigail,.... Having heard her out, and being overcome with her rhetoric and powerful arguments:
blessed be the Lord God of Israe...
And David said to Abigail,.... Having heard her out, and being overcome with her rhetoric and powerful arguments:
blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me; who put it into her heart to come out and meet him, and endeavour to avert him from his bad design, which his heart was set upon; he saw plainly the hand of God in it, and in the first place acknowledges the goodness of divine Providence, in directing her to take the step she did.

Gill: 1Sa 25:33 - -- And blessed be thy advice,.... Thanks be to God, and to thee for it, being wise, good, and seasonable; or "thy taste" g, thy good sense, knowledge, a...
And blessed be thy advice,.... Thanks be to God, and to thee for it, being wise, good, and seasonable; or "thy taste" g, thy good sense, knowledge, as the Targum, discretion, prudence, and understanding:
and blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood; he came out with a full resolution to shed the blood of Nabal, and of all the males in his house, but was stopped by Abigail; who by her arguments so prevailed upon him as to cause him to desist from his design, and thankful he was to God for it; for though he had vowed he would destroy Nabal and his family, yet being a rash sinful vow, he saw it was better to break it than to keep it:
and from avenging myself with mine own hand; which to do would have been sinful, vengeance only belonging to God; and now he leaves it to him, and is very thankful that he was prevented doing it himself.

Gill: 1Sa 25:34 - -- For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth,.... An oath for the confirmation of what he was about to say:
which hath kept me back from hur...
For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth,.... An oath for the confirmation of what he was about to say:
which hath kept me back from hurting thee: from doing any ill to her family, as he intended, though not to her person, his resolution being only to slay the males; but that would have been an hurt, an evil, an affliction to Abigail, from which the Lord in his providence restrained him, and that through her good advice:
except thou hadst hasted, and come to meet me: if she had not made quick dispatch in preparing her present, or had stayed to persuade her husband into her measures; if she had delayed a little longer, David would have been at Nabal's house, executing his vengeance on him and his:
surely there had not been left unto Nabal, by the morning light, any that pisseth against the wall: See Gill on 1Sa 25:22.

Gill: 1Sa 25:35 - -- So David received of her hand that which she had brought him,.... Her present, 1Sa 25:18; and which he kindly took for his own use, as well as for hi...
So David received of her hand that which she had brought him,.... Her present, 1Sa 25:18; and which he kindly took for his own use, as well as for his men; for it was a present for a prince:
and said to her, go up in peace to thine house; in peace of mind, having her request granted, and nothing to fear from David and his men, and so might return home with the greatest safety in her own person, with those that were with her, and be under no apprehensions of danger and destruction to Nabal and his family:
see, I have hearkened to thy voice; to her arguments and reasonings, which were powerful; to her petitions, which were granted; and to her good counsel and advice, which he took:
and have accepted thy person: done as she desired, forgave the offence, and so lifted her up, as the word signifies, and made her countenance cheerful; received her present kindly, and took well all she said and did; and promised to grant her, for the future, anything that lay in his power, whenever she should apply to him, see Job 42:8.

Gill: 1Sa 25:36 - -- And Abigail came to Nabal,.... Having sped with David, and taken her leave of him, she returned home to her husband Nabal:
and, behold, he held a f...
And Abigail came to Nabal,.... Having sped with David, and taken her leave of him, she returned home to her husband Nabal:
and, behold, he held a feast in his house like the feast of a king; both for the number of dishes on his table and of guests at it though only on the account of sheep shearing; but very probably there were others that were invited to this entertainment besides the shearers; covetous men are generally very profuse when they make feasts:
and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: which was a very ill example for the master of the feast to set, and was one instance among others of his folly, and of his conduct answering to his name:
wherefore she told him nothing less or more until the morning light; where she had been, and what she had been about, the danger that he and the whole family were in through his rude and churlish behaviour towards David and his men, and how she had prevented it by a timely application to David, meeting him when in full march, and in a great passion, and with a firm resolution to destroy him and his; but finding Nabal in such a condition, bereaved of his reason, and incapable of attending to what she should say, said not one word about it till the next morning.

Gill: 1Sa 25:37 - -- But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal,.... When he had slept, and was become sober, and so capable of attending to a...
But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal,.... When he had slept, and was become sober, and so capable of attending to and understanding what might be related to him:
and his wife had told him these things; recorded in this chapter, before observed:
that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone; he swooned away, became as cold as a stone, and remained as senseless, spoke not a word, but lay in a stupor; the Jewish writers generally say this was occasioned by the distress and uneasiness the present his wife carried to David gave him; but it is more likely the sense of the danger that was impressed upon his mind, which he had been exposed to through his carriage to David and his men; who, he feared, notwithstanding all his wife said would return and take vengeance on him.

Gill: 1Sa 25:38 - -- And it came to pass, about ten days after,.... After he had lain in this stupid and senseless manner for ten days:
that the Lord smote Nabal, that...
And it came to pass, about ten days after,.... After he had lain in this stupid and senseless manner for ten days:
that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died; with some disease or increased the grief of his heart, and the fears of his mind that he died therewith.

Gill: 1Sa 25:39 - -- And when David heard that Nabal was dead,.... As he soon might, Maon and Carmel not being far from the wilderness where David was:
he said, blessed...
And when David heard that Nabal was dead,.... As he soon might, Maon and Carmel not being far from the wilderness where David was:
he said, blessed be the Lord, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal; not that he rejoiced at the death of Nabal, simply considered, or from a private spirit of revenge; but because of the glory of divine justice, which he had shown to him in vindicating him from the reproach Nabal had cast upon him, and particularly was thankful for what follows:
and hath kept his servant from evil; from slaying Nabal with his own hand, and doing hurt to his family:
for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head; and upon no other, none of his family suffered but himself, and which was another cause of thankfulness to David; had he been suffered to have done as he in his wrath determined, not only Nabal, but all the males in his house, had been cut off; but now, through the righteous judgment of God, only Nabal suffered, and not any of his family:
and David sent and communed with Abigail; by his messengers to her; or "concerning" her h, about marrying her:
to take her to him to wife; for being both a beautiful and wise woman, he thought her a proper person to be his wife; which she might lawfully become, Nabal being dead, and Michal, David's wife, being taken from him, and given to another man, with whom she lived in adultery; or as divorced by David, as the Jews say, David by the law of God was free from her. These messengers were sent by David at a convenient time, at a proper distance from the death of Nabal; and he chose rather to send messengers than to go himself, lest being denied he should be put to shame, she being a rich widow, and he a poor persecuted man, and that her answer might be entirely free and unawed by him, and that it might appear that she was not taken to him by force; and besides, such a method has been always reckoned most honourable with great personages.

Gill: 1Sa 25:40 - -- And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel,.... For though Nabal lived in Maon, yet having possessions in Camel, he had no doubt an...
And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel,.... For though Nabal lived in Maon, yet having possessions in Camel, he had no doubt an house there also; and here Abigail was, and perhaps chose to be after his death, rather than at Maon:
they spake unto her; delivered the message to her they were sent with by David:
saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife; that is, to treat with her about his marriage to her, to propose it to her, and, if they could prevail upon her, to bring her with them, that David might espouse her.

Gill: 1Sa 25:41 - -- And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth,.... As she did before David, 1Sa 25:23; and did as she would have done had he been present...
And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth,.... As she did before David, 1Sa 25:23; and did as she would have done had he been present, considering his messengers as representing him and therefore showed the same respect and reverence and did the same honour, as if he had been there in person:
and said; expressed herself in such language as if David had been before her:
behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord; which she said through her great humility, this being one of the meanest services she could be put to; intimating, that she was so far from being worthy to be the wife of such a man that she was only fit and it would be honour enough to her to perform the meanest services to those that waited upon him; or her sense is that it would be enough for her to be the wife of one of David's servants, and not his; it being the business of a wife, as Ben Gersom observes to wash the feet of her husband.

Gill: 1Sa 25:42 - -- And Abigail hasted and arose,.... She had no objection nor hesitation in her mind about marrying David but at once consented, and immediately prepared...
And Abigail hasted and arose,.... She had no objection nor hesitation in her mind about marrying David but at once consented, and immediately prepared for her journey, having as high an opinion, and as great an esteem of David, as he of her; and though she was rich and he peer this was no obstacle in the way, she knew and believed he would be king of Israel, 1Sa 25:30; and though he could not support her, she had enough to support herself, and supply him, till he came to the throne: and
rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; whom she took with her, partly to wait upon her, and partly for her honour, and the honour of David, whom she was going to marry:
and she went after the messengers of David: not following them directly, but some time after they were gone; partly for the sake of decency, and partly that they going before might acquaint David with the success of their message, and he might prepare to receive Abigail when she came:
and became his wife; he espoused and married her according to the custom of the times.

Gill: 1Sa 25:43 - -- And David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel,.... A city in the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:56; that is, he took her to wife, and as it seems before Abigail beca...
And David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel,.... A city in the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:56; that is, he took her to wife, and as it seems before Abigail became his wife; see 2Sa 3:2,
and they were also both of them his wives; polygamy, though not agreeably to the law of nature, nor the law of God, was a custom which prevailed in those times, which good men gave into, though not to be commended for it.

Gill: 1Sa 25:44 - -- But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Laish,.... Or "for Saul", &c. i; which is a reason for his marrying again, ...
But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Laish,.... Or "for Saul", &c. i; which is a reason for his marrying again, but no reason for marrying more wives than one. Michal was his first wife, and they lived lovingly together, until David was obliged to flee from Saul, and then he gave her to another; partly to vex David, and partly if he could to break the relation between him and David, that he might not be thought to be his son in law, and he to persecute one in such a relation to him; and that this might not give David any show of claim, or be the means of his rising to the throne. This Phalti, to whom he gave her, is called Phaltiel, 2Sa 3:15,
which was of Gallim; which very probably was a city in the tribe of Benjamin, since it is mentioned with several cities of that tribe, and as near Gibeah of Saul, Isa 10:29.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes





NET Notes: 1Sa 25:37 Heb “and his heart died within him and he became a stone.” Cf. TEV, NLT “stroke”; CEV “heart attack.” For an alter...

NET Notes: 1Sa 25:39 Heb “his servant he has held back from evil, and the evil of Nabal the Lord has turned back on his head.”



Geneva Bible: 1Sa 25:31 That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath ( n ) aveng...

Geneva Bible: 1Sa 25:33 And blessed [be] thy advice, and blessed [be] thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to [shed] blood, ( o ) and from avenging myself with mine ...

Geneva Bible: 1Sa 25:34 For in very deed, [as] the LORD God of Israel liveth, ( p ) which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, s...

Geneva Bible: 1Sa 25:36 And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart [was] merry within him, for he [was]...

Geneva Bible: 1Sa 25:37 But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and h...

Geneva Bible: 1Sa 25:39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath ...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 1Sa 25:1-44
TSK Synopsis: 1Sa 25:1-44 - --1 Samuel dies.2 David in Paran sends to Nabal.10 Provoked by Nabal's churlishness, he minds to destroy him.14 Abigail understanding thereof,18 takes a...
MHCC: 1Sa 25:18-31 - --By a present Abigail atoned for Nabal's denial of David's request. Her behaviour was very submissive. Yielding pacifies great offences. She puts herse...

MHCC: 1Sa 25:32-39 - --David gives God thanks for sending him this happy check in a sinful way. Whoever meet us with counsel, direction, comfort, caution, or seasonable repr...

MHCC: 1Sa 25:39-44 - --Abigail believed that David would be king over Israel, and greatly esteemed his pious and excellent character. She deemed his proposal of marriage hon...
Matthew Henry: 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 ...

Matthew Henry: 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, Pro 25:12. Abigail was a wise reprover of David'...

Matthew Henry: 1Sa 25:36-44 - -- We are now to attend Nabal's funeral and Abigail's wedding. I. Nabal's funeral. The apostle speaks of some that were twice dead, Jud 1:12. We have...
Keil-Delitzsch -> 1Sa 25:2-44
Keil-Delitzsch: 1Sa 25:2-44 - --
The following history of Nabal's folly, and of the wise and generousbehaviour of his pious and intelligent wife Abigail towards David, showshow Jeh...
Constable -> 1Sa 16:1--31:13; 1Sa 21:1--30:31; 1Sa 23:1--26:25; 1Sa 25:1-44; 1Sa 25:23-31; 1Sa 25:32-35; 1Sa 25:36-38; 1Sa 25:39-43; 1Sa 25:44
Constable: 1Sa 16:1--31:13 - --IV. SAUL AND DAVID 1 Sam. 16--31
The basic theme in Samuel, that blessing, and in particular fertility of all ki...

Constable: 1Sa 21:1--30:31 - --C. David in Exile chs. 21-30
In chapters 21-30 we see David's forces growing stronger and stronger while...

Constable: 1Sa 23:1--26:25 - --3. David's goodness to two fools ch. 24-26
". . . chapters 24-26 form a discrete literary unit w...

Constable: 1Sa 25:1-44 - --David's sparing of Nabal's life ch. 25
"Chapter 25 is the central panel in the triptych ...

Constable: 1Sa 25:23-31 - --Abigail's appeal to David 25:23-31
Abigail's approach to David was a model of ta...

Constable: 1Sa 25:32-35 - --David's response to Abigail's appeal 25:32-35
David heard the Lord's voice behin...

Constable: 1Sa 25:36-38 - --Nabal's response to the news of Abigail's appeal 25:36-38
When she returned home...

Constable: 1Sa 25:39-43 - --David's marriage to Abigail 25:39-43
David thanked God for vindicating him and f...
