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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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:10

And Nabal answered David's servants, and said ,.... In a very haughty manner, in great wrath, just as churlish covetous persons do, when they do not care to give what is asked of them: who is David? and who is the son of Jesse ; his two questions, which relate to the same person, do not well agree together, since by both he would suggest as if he knew not the person they came from, and whose name they made use of: had he stopped at the first question, it might have gone so, but his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:11

Shall I then take my bread, and my water ,.... Which include all food and liquors, everything eatable and drinkable; and "water" may be particularly mentioned, because very scarce in the wilderness, and so precious; though the Septuagint version has "wine" instead of "water": and my flesh which I have killed for my shearers ; whether oxen, or sheep, or lambs, as there might be of each sort, for an entertainment made on such an occasion: and give it unto men whom I know not whence... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:12

So David's young men turned their way ,.... Their backs on him, without making any reply; and though they did not return railing for railing, they treated him with silent contempt; and though they did not offer to do any injury to his person, nor to take anything away by force, yet they were determined to report this usage to David, who they doubted not would avenge the affront put on him and them: and went again ; to the wilderness from whence they came: and came and told him all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 25:10

Who is David ? - Nabal's answer shows the surliness of his disposition. It was unjust to refuse so reasonable a request; and the manner of the refusal was highly insulting. It is true what his own servants said of him, He is such a son of Belial that one cannot speak to him, 1 Samuel 25:17 . 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 25:10-11

There be many servants, etc. Nabal would scarcely have ventured to speak in so insulting a manner if David had been at Maon, but as he had moved with his men a long distance towards the south, he. gave free vent to his rude feelings without restraint. David was to him a mere slave who had run away from his master, Saul. My bread,… my water. These are the necessaries of life, while the flesh was the special luxury provided for the festival. David's ten young men would not literally carry... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:12-13

Gird ye on, etc. David's determination was fierce and violent. No doubt Nabal's insult irritated him, and possibly also the rude outlaws round him would have protested against any other course; but Nabal's words, rude though they were, would not justify David in the rough vengeance which he meditated. Abigail throughout her speech argues that David was taking too violent a course, and one for which he would afterwards have been sorry. ABIGAIL PACIFIES DAVID ( 1 Samuel 25:14-35 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:11

The mention of water indicates a country where water was scarce (compare Joshua 15:19). Or “bread and water” may be equivalent to “meat and drink.” read more

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