1 Samuel 25:18-35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 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... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 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. I. David gives God thanks for sending him this happy check to a sinful way (1 Sam. 25:32): Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:18

Then Abigail made haste ,.... As the case required, her family being in imminent danger: and took two hundred loaves ; of bread; of what size or weight they were is not said; though it may be reasonably concluded they were pretty large, since they are not called cakes, but loaves, and since they were to be a present to David and his men, who were numerous: and two bottles of wine ; not such as ours are, which would have borne no proportion to the rest of the provision; but these were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:19

And she said to her servants, go on before me ,.... With the present, the sight of which she wisely considered would in a great measure pacify David, and prepare him to hear patiently what she had to say to him: behold, I come after you ; signifying it would not be long before she came up to them, and overtook them: but she told not her husband Nabal ; neither the danger he and his family were in through his conduct, nor the preparations she had made to prevent it; knowing his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:20

And it was so, as she rode on the ass ,.... After her servants: that she came down, by the covert of the hill ; by the side of it, which was covered with bushes, and she rode among them, in a way that led through them, and so was not seen by David and his men; or by the shadow of the hill, toward the bottom of it, where by reason of that, and the opposite hill, it was darkish, and they could not see each other: and, behold, David and his men came down against her ; came down a hill... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:21

Now David had said ,.... When the messengers returned and told him how they had been used by Nabal; or he "said" F3 אמר "ait", V. L. "dixit", Pagninus, Montanus; "dicebat", Vatablus. , or was saying within himself, or to his men, what follows, just as Abigail met him: surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness ; which shows that lie was in a violent passion, and had Nabal in the utmost contempt and indignation, in that he mentions not his name, only... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:22

So and more also do God unto the enemies of David ,.... Give them as much health and prosperity, as much wealth and riches, as Nabal has, and much more: if I leave of all that pertain to him, by the morning light, any that pisseth against the wall ; which is generally understood of a dog, that he, would not leave him so much as a dog: but it is better, with Ben Gersom, to interpret it of the males in his house, himself, his sons, and servants; and so the Targum paraphrases it of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:23

And when Abigail saw David ,.... Whom she either knew personally, or rather supposed who he was by the number of men that followed him: she hasted, and alighted off the ass ; on which she rode: and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground ; in respect to, and reverence of, so great a person as David was. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:24

And fell at his feet ,.... As an humble supplicant, having a favour to ask of him; it is very probable David was on foot: and said, upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be ; which her husband had been guilty of; she desires it might be transferred from him to her, and be reckoned as if done by her; she would have it imputed to herself, and all the blame lie upon her, and the punishment for it be inflicted on her; for iniquity may be put for the punishment of iniquity: this... read more

John Gill

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

Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial , even Nabal ,.... He is a worthless man, it must be owned, a weak foolish man, rather to be despised than regarded by him; what either he says or does is unworthy of the notice of any, and much less of so great a person as David was: for as his name is , so is he ; his natural disposition, genius, and conduct, agree with his name; when anyone knows his name, he may judge what is to be expected from him: Nabal is his... read more

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