1 Samuel 25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 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. I. Tidings of the death of Samuel could not but trouble him, 1 Sam. 25:1. But, II. The abuse he received from Nabal is more largely recorded in this chapter. 1. The character of Nabal, 1 Sam. 25:2, 3. 2. The... read more

Matthew Henry

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

We have here a short account of Samuel's death and burial. 1. Though he was a great man, and one that was admirably well qualified for public service, yet he spent the latter end of his days in retirement and obscurity, not because he was superannuated (for he knew how to preside in a college of the prophets, 1 Sam. 19:20), but because Israel had rejected him, for which God thus justly chastised them, and because his desire was to be quiet and to enjoy himself and his God in the exercises of... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 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, Jude 1:12. We have hare Nabal thrice dead, though but just now wonderfully rescued from the sword of David and delivered from so great a death; for the preservations of wicked men are but reservations for some further sorer strokes of divine wrath. Here is, 1. Nabal dead drunk, 1 Sam. 25:36. Abigail came home, and, it should seem, he had so many people and so much... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 25 This chapter gives an account of the death of Samuel, and of the ill treatment David met with from Nabal; it begins with the death of Samuel, which was greatly lamented in Israel, 1 Samuel 25:1 ; it draws the character of Nabal, and his wife, 1 Samuel 25:2 ; records a message of David to him, by his young men, desiring he would send him some of his provisions made for his sheep shearers, 1 Samuel 25:4 ; and Nabal's ill-natured answer to him reported by... read more

John Gill

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

And Samuel died ,.... In the interval, when Saul and David were parted, and before they saw each other again; according to the Jewish chronology F7 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 13. p. 37. , Samuel died four months before Saul; but other Jewish writers say F8 In Kimchi & Abarbinel in loc. he died seven months before; Abarbinel thinks it was a year or two before; which is most likely and indeed certain, since David was in the country of the Philistines after this a full year and four... 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

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