1 Samuel 25:20

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 25:20

She came down - and David - came down - David was coming down Mount Paran; Abigail was coming down from Carmel. - Calmet. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:18-20

Five measures of parched corn. The measure named here, the seah, contains about a peck and a half. As this seems little, Ewald reads 500 seahs, but probably it was regarded as a delicacy. Clusters of raisins. Rather, as in the margin, lumps of raisins. The bunches of grapes when dried were pressed into cakes. Sending her servants in front leading the asses which carried the present, she followed behind, and met David as she was coming down by the covert of the hill. Hebrew, "in secret of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:18-31

Wise persuasiveness. The facts are— 1 . Abigail, aware of the danger, provides an ample present, and secretly sends on her servants to prepare the mind of David for an interview. 2 . On seeing David she humbly seeks an audience, and intimates that Nabal was not to be regarded as of importance. 3 . She pleads her cause by reminding David of the kind restraint of Providence in keeping him from wrong, of Nabal's utter unworthiness of his notice, of the provision made for the young... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:20

The covert of the hill - Probably a defile or glen, literally a “secret place,” as in 1 Samuel 19:2. She was riding down into this glen from one side, while David and his men were descending the opposite hill. It is perhaps mentioned that she came by this “secret place,” because she chose this path to escape the observation of her husband or of anyone else. 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 25:18-22

Abigail’s preparations for appealing to David 25:18-22As Abimelech had done earlier (1 Samuel 21:4), Abigail prepared to sustain the Lord’s anointed and his men with food. Compare Jacob’s similar scheme to placate Esau (Genesis 32:13-21). Was it proper for Abigail to do this without telling her husband? I would say that it was since she was attempting to save Nabal’s life. If she had told him, he probably would not have permitted her to go and would have died at David’s hand as a result. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 25:1-44

Death of Samuel. The Incident of Nabal. David and Abigail1. Paran] That part of the desert between Sinai and Palestine which bordered on Judah.2. Possessions] rather, ’occupation,’ ’business.’ Carmel] see on 1 Samuel 15:12. Great] has frequently the meaning of ’rich’: cp. 2 Samuel 19:32.Shearing his sheep] A special occasion for festivity and entertainment: cp. 1 Samuel 25:36; 2 Samuel 13:23.Of the house of Caleb] This district of the S. of Judah had been conquered and settled by Caleb. It is... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 25:20

(20) The covert of the hill.—Keil explains the words sether hahar—literally, a hidden part of the mountain—as probably signifying a hollow between two peaks of the mountain; thus each of the advancing parties would “come down”—Abigail, who approached on one side, and David, who came on the other—and would meet in the hollow between. read more

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