1 Samuel 25:40

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 25:40

And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel ,.... For though Nabal lived in Maon, yet having possessions in Camel, he had no doubt an house there also; and here Abigail was, and perhaps chose to be after his death, rather than at Maon: they spake unto her ; delivered the message to her they were sent with by David: saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife ; that is, to treat with her about his marriage to her, to propose it to her, and, if they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:36-44

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:39-42

Hath pleaded the cause of my reproach. In the causes tried at the gate of an Israelite city the friends of the accused both pleaded his cause, defended him from wrong, and punished any who had wronged him. So God had avenged David, while preventing him by Abigail s interference from avenging himself (see 1 Samuel 24:13 ). As a widow's legal mourning seems to have lasted only seven days, David, on hearing of Nabal's death, sent messengers to Abigail at Carmel to ask her in marriage. He was... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:40

There is no note of the exact interval that elapsed between Nabal’s death and David’s hearing of it, or, again, between David’s hearing of it and his message to Abigail; nor is there any reason to suppose that the marriage took place with unbecoming haste. The widow of such a husband as Nabal had been could not, however, be expected to revere his memory. After the usual mourning of seven days, she would probably feel herself free to act as custom allowed. (See 2 Samuel 11:26.) 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 Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 25:40

1 Samuel 25:40. When the servants of David were come to Abigail— We would just remark, that in this, as in their historical details in general, the sacred writers are very concise. There can be no doubt, but that a decent time passed before David's proposals were made to Abigail, and that his servants omitted nothing to convince her of the respectful and tender sentiments wherewith her virtue and beauty had inspired the heart of David. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 25:39-43

David’s marriage to Abigail 25:39-43David thanked God for vindicating him and for preventing him from doing evil. Abigail had been the instrument that God had used to do this (1 Samuel 25:39). It was proper for David to give thanks since he had left Nabal in the Lord’s hands and had not sought revenge.It is easy to see why David found Abigail so attractive. Not only was she intelligent (cf. 2 Chronicles 30:22; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 13:15) and beautiful (1 Samuel 25:3; cf. Genesis 29:17;... 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 25:40

(40) When the servants of David were come to Abigail.—The time that had elapsed between the death of Nabal and this mission of David to Abigail is not specified. The legal time of mourning was fixed at only seven days, but a very considerable period may have elapsed in this case. S. Ambrose allegorises here, as is usual in Patristic expositions, and compares the espousals of Abigail to David after Nabar’s death to the union of the Church (i.e., the Gentile world) to Christ after the cessation... read more

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