And David sent out ten young men ,.... Such persons, and such a number of them, he sent to show honour and reverence to Nabal: and David said, unto the young men, get ye up to Carmel ; which lay higher than the wilderness, in which he was: and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name ; ask him of his peace and welfare, as the Targum; wish all health and happiness in my name, present my service and best respects to him. read more
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
Though David had gone some distance southward of Carmel, yet it was worth his while to send men to Nabal's sheep shearing, as the maintenance of his numerous force must have been a continual difficulty. The large number, ten , also shows that he expected a liberal gift of food. Probably such missions were not uncommon, and the large sheep masters were glad to supply the wants of one who guarded their flocks and defended them from the incursions of the desert tribes. read more
1 Samuel 25:4-6 . Nabal did shear his sheep Which times were celebrated with feasting. That liveth in prosperity In the Hebrew it is, To him that liveth, but the word life in Scripture often signifies happiness, as death signifies misery. By speaking thus, David both congratulates Nabal’s felicity, and tacitly intimates to him the distress in which he and his men were. 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
1 Samuel 25:5-9. And David sent out, &c.— In this message of David to Nabal, which is a fine picture of ancient and true politeness, there are three things well worth our notice. First, the direction: To him that liveth, 1 Samuel 25:6. (in prosperity is not in the Hebrew); and secondly, the salutation: Peace be to thee, and peace to thine house, &c. In the Scripture, living and being happy, are synonimous: David's own benevolent spirit suggested to him, that, being happy ourselves, we... read more
David’s request of Nabal 25:2-8Both Maon and Carmel ("Garden Spot") stood about 14 miles west of Engedi and about 7 miles south-southeast of Hebron. The reference to Nabal’s 3,000 sheep may be an allusion to Saul’s 3,000 soldiers (1 Samuel 24:2). As the story unfolds, we will discover many similarities between Nabal and Saul, and the writer may have dropped this and other clues to help the reader compare the two men. He used a literary device called narrative analogy in which ironic... 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
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 25:2-11
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