And it came to pass, about ten days after ,.... After he had lain in this stupid and senseless manner for ten days: that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died ; with some disease or increased the grief of his heart, and the fears of his mind that he died therewith. read more
For he was very drunken. Hebrew, "and he was very drunken." This was not the cause of his heart being merry, but the result; he gave himself up to enjoyment till he became drunken, and then his merriment was over. When Abigail came back he was stupefied by drink, and it was not until the next day, when his debauch was passing off, that he was capable of being told what his wife had done. And when Abigail recounted to him David's fierce resolve, and how she had pacified him, he seems to have... read more
Contrasts, patience, and domestic ties. The facts are— 1 . Abigail, finding Nabal in the midst of a drunken revel, refrains from speaking of her interview with David. 2 . In the morning, on her relating what had transpired, he became insensible, and soon after dies. 3 . On hearing of his death David recognises afresh the mercy that had restrained him, and sees the wisdom of leaving judgment to the Lord. 4 . David, deprived of his wife Michal, though possessed of Ahinoam,... read more
1 Samuel 25:37-38. His heart died He fainted away through the fear and horror of so great a mischief, though it was past. As one, who, having in the night galloped over a narrow plank, laid upon a broken bridge over a deep river, when in the morning he came to review it, was struck dead with the horror of the danger he had been in. The Lord smote Nabal God either inflicted some other stroke upon him, or increased his grief and fear to such a height as killed him. read more
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
Nabal’s response to the news of Abigail’s appeal 25:36-38When she returned home, Abigail discovered that her foolish husband was drunk from celebrating. He was totally oblivious to his mortal danger. He was feasting rather than fasting. He was behaving like a king, the ultimate authority, rather than as a servant of the next king (cf. 1 Samuel 25:24). Here is another allusion to the similarity between Nabal and Saul who both viewed themselves proudly as kings. Pride was the root of Nabal’s... read more
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
(38) The Lord smote Nabal.—That is to say, that after ten days had passed the Lord put an end to the base life by a second apoplectic stroke. Although the death was a sequel to the selfishness, the passion, and the intemperance, it does not appear that anything more than the operation of natural causes occasioned the end here. In the language of these old divinely inspired writers, disease and sickness are often spoken of as the special “shafts” aimed by the Most High, as in fact they are. read more
CHAPTER XXXII.DAVID AND NABAL.1 Samuel 25:1-44.WE should be forming far too low an estimate of the character of the people of Israel if we did not believe that they were very profoundly moved by the death of Samuel. Even admitting that but a small proportion of them are likely to have been in warm sympathy with his ardent godliness, he was too remark- able a man, and he had been too conspicuous a figure in the history of the nation, not to be greatly missed, and much spoken of and thought of,... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
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