1 Samuel 25:14

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 25:14

But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife ,.... Not one of David's young men, as what follows shows, but one of Nabal's young men or servants, one of those David directs him to for the truth of what he said, 1 Samuel 25:8 ; this was one of those that had been employed in feeding sheep in the wilderness, where David was, and knew him, but was now at Carmel, and was present when David's messengers came to Nabal, and was privy to what passed: saying, David sent messengers out of... 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 25:14

Railed on them - The marginal reading, “flew upon them,” is nearer to the original. 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 25:14

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . railed on them = flew at them, or stormed at them. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 25:14

ABIGAIL LEARNS OF THE DANGEROUS SITUATION"But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, "Behold David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed at them. Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them; they were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the time we were with them keeping the sheep. Therefore know this and consider what you should do; for evil... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 25:14

1 Samuel 25:14. And he railed on them— The Hebrew word ויעט waiiaat, is never used to signify railing, but denotes, he flew at them, like a ravenous bird on its prey: an expression used in almost all languages to denote a violent attack or assault upon any person to abuse and injure him; and it is probable, by David's resentment, that Nabal employed some of his servants to attack them. The same verb is used to denote the sudden, furious, hostile invasion of the prey; ch. 1Sa 25:14 and is there... read more

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