1 Samuel 25:2-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:2-11

Here begins the story of Nabal. I. A short account of him, who and what he was (1 Sam. 25:2, 3), a man we should never have heard of if there had not happened some communication between him and David. Observe, 1. His name: Nabal?a fool; so it signifies. It was a wonder that his parents would give him that name and an ill omen of what proved to be this character. Yet indeed we all of us deserve to be so called when we come into the world, for man is born like the wild ass's colt and foolishness... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:2

And there was a man in Maon ,.... A city of the tribe of Judah, from whence the wilderness had its name before mentioned; of which place, see Joshua 15:55 ; though Ben Gersom takes it to signify a dwelling place; and that this is observed to show, that he did not dwell in a city, but had his habitation where his business lay, which was in Carmel, where his fields, gardens, and vineyards were: wherefore it follows: whose possessions were in Carmel ; not Carmel in the tribe of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:3

Now the name of the man was Nabal ,.... Which signifies a "fool"; one would think his parents should not give him this name, though it is a name proper enough to men in common; and Kimchi thinks this was a nickname, which men gave him agreeably to his genius and conduct, and which is not improbable: and the name of his wife Abigail ; which signifies "my father's joy", he delighting in her for her wit and beauty, as follows: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 25:3

The name of the man was Nabal - The word נבל nabal signifies to be foolish, base, or villanous; and hence the Latin word nebulo , knave, is supposed to be derived. The name of his wife Abigail - The joy or exultation of my father. A woman of sense and beauty, married to the boor mentioned above, probably because he was rich. Many women have been thus sacrificed. Of the house of Caleb - כלבי והוא vehu Chalibbi , "he was a Calebite." But as the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:1-12

Honour to the dead and insult to the living. The facts are— 1 . Samuel dies, and is buried at Ramah amidst the sorrow of Israel. 2 . David, returning to the wilderness, sends a greeting to Nabal, a wealthy man at Carmel, and asks for some favour to his young men on account of the friendly aid recently rendered to Nabal's shepherds. 3 . Nabal, in a churlish spirit, sends an insulting reply, and refuses the request. 4 . Whereupon David resolves on taking revenge for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:2

A man in Maon. Though strictly by descent belonging to Maon (for which see on 1 Samuel 23:24 ), his possessions —rather, "his business," "occupation" (see Genesis 47:3 , and Ecclesiastes 4:3 , where it is translated work )— were in Carmel, the small town just north of Maon, where Saul set up a trophy at the end of the Amalekite war ( 1 Samuel 15:12 ), and to which Abigail belonged ( 1 Samuel 27:3 ). He is described as very great because of his wealth arising from his large... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:3

Nabal , the word rendered fool in Psalms 14:1 ; literally, "flat," "vapid." Abigail means "one who is the cause (father) of joy," i.e. one who gives joy. She, with her bright understanding and beautiful person (the Hebrew word takes in much more than the countenance; see 1 Samuel 16:18 , where it is rendered comely person ) , is in contrast with the coarse, churlish man who was her husband. His name was either one which he had acquired by his conduct, or if given him by his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:2

Carmel - Not Mount Carmel on the west of the plain of Esdraelon, but the Carmel close to Maon (marginal references).Shearing his sheep - Which was always a time of open-handed hospitality among flock-masters Genesis 38:12-13; 2 Samuel 13:23-24. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 25:2

1 Samuel 25:2. Whose possessions were in Carmel In some part of this wilderness Israel wandered, when they came out of Egypt. The place would bring to David’s mind God’s care over them, which he might now improve for his own encouragement. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 25:3

1 Samuel 25:3. The name of his wife was Abigail That is, the joy of his father; yet he could not promise himself much joy of her, when he married her to such a husband; it seems, by inquiring (no unfrequent thing) more after his wealth than after his wisdom. He was of the house of Caleb This is added to aggravate his crime, that he was a degenerate branch of that noble stock of Caleb, and consequently of the tribe of Judah, as David was. read more

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