1 Samuel 25:15-16 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:12-17

Here is, I. The report made to David of the abuse Nabal had given to his messengers (1 Sam. 25:12): They turned their way. They showed their displeasure, as became them to do, by breaking off abruptly from such a churl, but prudently governed themselves so well as not to render railing for railing, not to call him as he deserved, much less to take by force what ought of right to have been given them, but came and told David that he might do as he thought fit. Christ's servants, when they are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:15

But the men were very good unto us ,.... Very kind and civil, yea, very useful and serviceable, even all the messengers David sent and Nabal railed on, yea, all David's men, and therefore deserved better treatment than they met with from Nabal: and we were not hurt ; neither by them nor others: neither missed we anything : of our flocks, or anything belonging to us; they neither robbed us themselves, nor suffered others to rob us: as long as we were conversant with them, when we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:16

They were a wall unto us both by night and day ,.... Protecting and defending them against the Philistines, who, as they robbed the threshing floors of Keilah, would have plundered the flocks of Nabal; or it may be rather against the incursions of the Arabs in the wilderness of Paran, the posterity of Ishmael, who lived by plunder, and against the wild beasts of the desert, who otherwise would have carried off many of their sheep and lambs, by night or by day: all the while we were with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:13-17

Creed and practice. The facts are— 1 . David, stung by the insult, prepares to take summary vengeance on Nabal. 2 . A servant, overhearing his intention, reports it to Abigail. 3 . He also relates to her the circumstances of David's kindness to Nabal's men, and appeals to her for intervention, as he has no faith in Nabal's wisdom or generosity. The course taken by David would ordinarily be termed natural for an Eastern chieftain; that of the servant was more considerate than... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:14-17

One of the young men. Hebrew, "a lad of the lads," i.e. one of the servants (see on the word 1 Samuel 1:24 ); when used in this sense it has no reference to age (see 1 Samuel 2:17 ). This man was probably some old and confidential servitor. To salute. Hebrew, "to bless" (see 1 Samuel 13:10 ; 2 Kings 4:29 ). He railed on them. Literally, "flew upon them like a bird of prey." We were not hurt. Literally, "not put to shame" (see on 1 Samuel 25:7 ). The language of a people... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:16

A wall - To protect them from the attacks of the Bedouins, etc. They had been as safe with David’s men around them as if they had been dwelling in a walled town. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 25:14-17

1 Samuel 25:14-17. But one of the young men told Abigail, &c. One of those belonging to Nabal. Who can help admiring the wisdom and fidelity of this shepherd, who admonished his mistress of the danger her family was in; as he rationally concluded from the rude abuse that had been put upon David, whose merits he honestly set forth before her. They were a wall unto us This servant says more than David’s men had said of themselves; that they not only did them no harm, but were a guard to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:1-44

David marries Abigail (25:1-44)At this point we are told that Samuel died (25:1). David, at the time, was having trouble supporting his six hundred men. It seems that his men provided protection for farmers against the raiding Philistines (see v. 16, 21), and then demanded that the farmers pay them by giving them food supplies (see v. 8, 18, 27, 35). One wealthy farmer, Nabal, refused to pay and insulted David. Furious at Nabal’s response, David set out with four hundred of his men to deal with... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 25:14-17

A servant’s appeal to Abigail 25:14-17Nabal’s servant appealed to Abigail to reverse Nabal’s orders. He testified that God had blessed Nabal’s shepherds greatly through David. David’s soldiers had been a wall of protection for them (1 Samuel 25:16). One of the characteristics of a fool is that he or she does not listen to other people (1 Samuel 25:17). Nabal was such a fool that he did not even listen to God. If he had, he would have known that David was the Lord’s anointed servant (cf. 1... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 25:1-44

Death of Samuel. The Incident of Nabal. David and Abigail1. Paran] That part of the desert between Sinai and Palestine which bordered on Judah.2. Possessions] rather, ’occupation,’ ’business.’ Carmel] see on 1 Samuel 15:12. Great] has frequently the meaning of ’rich’: cp. 2 Samuel 19:32.Shearing his sheep] A special occasion for festivity and entertainment: cp. 1 Samuel 25:36; 2 Samuel 13:23.Of the house of Caleb] This district of the S. of Judah had been conquered and settled by Caleb. It is... read more