iii. She asked him to let the LORD settle the matter instead of taking vengeance into his own hands. First Samuel 25:1-31 shows us the Lord's restraining providence in the life of his servant. And there was a man in Maon, whose business was in Carmel. If David had slaughtered Nabal and his household it would forever be a black mark against David among Israelites. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. 39-42. the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head--If this was an expression of pleasure, and David's vindictive feelings were gratified by the intelligence of Nabal's death, it was an instance of human infirmity which we may lament; but perhaps he referred to the unmerited reproach ( 1 Samuel 25:10 1 Samuel 25:11 ), and the contempt of God implied in it. Here, David certainly remembered her and he took her as his wife. Abigail’s appeal to David was so glorious because it lifted him up instead of beating him down. c. Blessed is your advice, and blessed are you: David was man enough and wise enough to take counsel from a woman. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes. Sidlow Baxter - In the Hebrew manuscripts, 1 and 2 Samuel form but one book, as also do 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles. THE CHURLISH ANSWER PROVOKES HIM. The preparations of David to chastise his insolent language and ungrateful requital are exactly what would be done in the present day by Arab chiefs, who protect the cattle of the large and wealthy sheep masters from the attacks of the marauding border tribes or wild beasts. David did well both to receive her advice and to praise her for her boldness in bringing it. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Though there is no explanation in the Bible perhaps it was justified because this was a legitimate life-or-death situation. Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > Study Guide. She guided David to look beyond the immediate aggravating circumstances to the bigger promise of God. “Sheep-shearing was traditionally celebrated by feasting, with enough and to spare.” (Baldwin). In 1 Samuel 25:33, David was grateful that Abigail’s appeal had kept him from avenging myself with my own hand. He did it through messengers so Nabal would not be intimidated. About four hundred men went with David: David is not coming to Nabal just to make a statement, but to wipe him out. Like the feast of a king: All Nabal had to do was invite David to this tremendous feast and Nabal’s life would have been spared. The Death of Samuel. David's own good conduct, however, as well as the important services rendered by him and his men, were readily attested by Nabal's servants. David and his men earned their subsistence by making reprisals on the cattle of these freebooting Ishmaelites; and, frequently for their useful services, they obtained voluntary tokens of acknowledgment from the peaceful inhabitants. But the point of the passage is how submissive and respectful Abigail is towards David, not Nabal. Nabal’s own greed and foolishness was his undoing. Nabal--signifying fool, gave pertinence to his wife's remark. David, at the time, was having trouble supporting his six hundred men. Nabal's refusal, therefore, was a violation of the established usages of the place. Please forgive the trespass of your maidservant. Nabal did shear his sheep, and David sent out ten young men, &c.--David and his men lurked in these deserts, associating with the herdsmen and shepherds of Nabal and others and doing them good offices, probably in return for information and supplies obtained through them. Part 1 - 1 Samuel chapter 1 - Samuel: the boy whose mother gave him to God. She openly and severely criticized her husband to David (this scoundrel Nabal… Nabal is his name, and folly is with him). Workbook on 1 Samuel Page #8 Assignments on 1 Samuel 2 Please read 1 Sam. In 1 Samuel 25:33, David was grateful that Abigail's appeal had kept him from avenging myself with my own hand. We may request cookies to be set on your device. 44. Seeing the Lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood — Nothing could possibly be spoken to David with more effect, to turn away his wrath, than thus to insinuate such an opinion of his goodness and clemency, as already to conclude she had diverted him from his purpose; or, rather, that God had interposed by his good providence to hinder him from shedding blood. Then David’s messengers simply waited for the reply. b. Often, this is true measure of our character – not how we treat our superiors, but how we treat our equals or those “beneath” us in some way or another. 1 Samuel 25:26. Was this inappropriate? Watch our overview video on the book of 1 Samuel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. i. David took his 400 men to do what God could do as easily as throwing a stone out of sling. (1 Samuel 18:27) The writer of 1 Samuel explains that at this time, David was not married to Michal, because Saul had taken her away and given her to another man to spite David (David will get Michal back in 2 Samuel 3:13-16). For he is such a scoundrel that one cannot speak to him.”, a. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Abigail asked David not to do something he would later regret, when God’s promise was ultimately fulfilled (that this will be no grief to you… that you have shed blood without cause). We don’t know who wrote the books; certainly, Samuel was a major contributor, but much of the book takes place after his death in 1 Samuel 25. How did a woman like this ever get matched up with a man like Nabal? Abigail plainly, straightforwardly, asked for forgiveness (Please forgive the trespass of your maidservant). But because David never really followed God’s plan and purpose for marriage, his family life was never blessed and peaceful. 14-18. c. Shall I then take my bread… my water… my meat… my shearers, and give it: Nabal showed what an ungenerous man he was. Saul caught up with David near the wilderness of Engedi, but David spared Saul’s life. No wife should speak this way of her husband and no husband should speak this way of his wife. He had the facts straight, but not his heart. Samuel dies and the people mourn for him. 1 Samuel 1 – The Birth of Samuel 1 and 2 Samuel form one book in the ancient Hebrew manuscripts. Nabal Angers David. i. be as Nabal--be as foolish and contemptible as he. Jesus may have had Nabal in mind when He taught the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:15-21). . This had to make a startling impression on David. c. The name of the man was Nabal: This is another indication of his character, because the name Nabal means fool. a. Submission means I should shut up.” That is wrong, and they should look to Abigail as an example. Perhaps God knew that you needed the fiery trial to humble you and make you a testimony to your partner. ii. There are riches in what you have, riches in what you do, riches in what you know, and riches in what you are – riches of character. With her first words to David Abigail immediately took the blame on herself (On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be!). David certainly would have killed Nabal and it is certain that God will judge the sinner who continues to reject Him. She almost suggested to David that he kill the guilty Nabal (let your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be as Nabal), but that he spare the rest of the household because they were innocent (shed blood without cause). Yet a man has risen to pursue you and seek your life, but the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with the LORD your God; and the lives of your enemies He shall sling out, as from the pocket of a sling. Unlike David (see 1 Samuel 22:10, 15), Saul is not accustomed to seeking divine guidance. . In 1 Samuel 25:33, David was grateful that Abigail’s appeal had kept him from avenging myself with my own hand. Abigail reminded David of the LORD’s promise for his life (the LORD will certainly make for my lord an enduring house). But I, your maidservant, did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent. © Copyright - Enduring Word | . There are four kinds of riches. The Death of Samuel. 13. two hundred abode by the stuff--This addition to his followers was made after his return into Judah (see 1 Samuel 22:2 ). Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel; and the man was very rich, and he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. That parable describes a man who dies with everything – and nothing. Ask the class to follow along, looking for who David encountered in … 1 Samuel 25 Samuel died; and all Israel gathered themselves together, and mourned for him, and buried him at his house at Ramah.Then David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran. Now Eli the priest … But the men were very good to us, and we were not hurt, nor did we miss anything as long as we accompanied them, when we were in the fields. Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > Study Guide. May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light.”. After Samuel’s funeral, David and his men went into the wilderness. The *Philistines return the *ark of God to *Israel. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. ii. i. Abigail smoothly suggested the positive outcome to David in her appeal (the LORD has held you back from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand). David and Abigail. 119. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. 3. Your shepherds were with us, and we did not hurt them, nor was there anything missing from them all the while they were in Carmel. his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him--He probably fainted from horror at the perilous situation in which he had unconsciously placed himself; and such a shock had been given him by the fright to his whole system, that he rapidly pined and died. vii. . 37, 38. in the morning . NABAL'S DEATH. 1-Samuel 25:27: 1 Samuel 25: 1-Samuel 25:29 "Please forgive the transgression of your maidservant; for the LORD will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the LORD, and evil will not be found in you all your days. 2 and answer the following questions. But don't worry, he'll be back. This is not a high moment for David. See, I have heeded your voice and respected your person.”. "And she [was] in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore." He confessed not his sins, offered no sacrifices, and presented no supplications. David’s men have treated Nabal’s shepherds kindly, protecting them from harm or at the very least not stealing anything themselves (1 Sam. iii. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. b. What did Hannah say to praise God in 2:1,2? Accompanying this act of courtesy with the lowest form of prostration, she not only by her attitude, but her language, made the fullest amends for the disrespect shown by her husband, as well as paid the fullest tribute of respect to the character and claims of David. i. Was this inappropriate? Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. c. David sent ten young men: This shows that David made the request politely. 25. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord--Transported by passion and blinded by revenge, he was on the eve of perpetrating a great injury. When David received it from Abigail he acknowledged that Nabal had paid the bill and there was nothing outstanding. vi. v. Abigail brought David a present (now this present) but was wise enough to say that it was for the young men who follow David, not for David himself. the wilderness of Paran--stretching from Sinai to the borders of Palestine in the southern territories of Judea. Though named after its main character, the Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. b. 1 Samuel 25:1-2. 1 Samuel 25:3. parched corn--It was customary to eat parched corn when it was fully grown, but not ripe. e. For we come on a feast day: David politely reminded Nabal of the traditions of generosity surrounding harvest and sheep shearing time. The Greek translation of the Bible, the Septuagint, was the first version to divide the material into two parts. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. 1 Samuel 25:1. i. So it was, as she rode on the donkey, that she went down under cover of the hill; and there were David and his men, coming down toward her, and she met them. 1 Samuel 25:3. "And prayed … And he has repaid me evil for good. David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel, and so both of them were his wives. Family trouble brought David some of the greatest trials of his life. Then David moved down to the wilderness of Maon. c. His heart died within him, and he became like stone… the LORD struck Nabal, and he died: Abigail’s wise action saved Nabal from David and saved David from himself. a. Abigail’s submission to Nabal was not outstanding but her submission to David was. 2. in Carmel--now Kurmul. If this much food was on hand, it makes Nabal’s ungenerous reply to David all the worse. Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him at his home in Ramah. d. Abigail… a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance: Nabal’s wife was both beautiful and wise, in contrast to Nabal himself. You can also change some of your preferences. Nabal answered David's servants, . b. 8 # Short Commentary & Lesson From 1 Samuel 12.12-25 Following the ceremony at Gilgal that acknowledged Saul as the first king of Israel, Samuel reminded the people again that they had sinned by asking for a king. b. iv. bottles--goatskins, capable of holding a great quantity. David was clearly in the wrong, and Abigail wanted to guide him into the right. Hebrews 11:33 puts Samuel among God’s “Heroes of Faith.”. I believe they are included for a specific purpose. a. The district takes its name from this town, now a mass of ruins; and about a mile from it is Tell Main, the hillock on which stood ancient Maon. i. Salem Media Group. i. "To the wilderness of Paran" (1 Samuel 25:1 b). Now therefore, know and consider what you will do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his household. And David arose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. Scriptures: 1 Samuel 25:14-17, 23-28, 32-35. iv. Michal--By the unchallengeable will of her father, she who was David's wife was given to another. In verses 43 and 44, we are informed that while David has gained a second wife, he has lost another (Michal). 2 And there was a man in z Maon whose business was in a Carmel. Please print this section if you would like to study the Book of 1 Samuel with a group of people. 23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. 23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. 29. the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God--An Orientalism, expressing the perfect security of David's life from all the assaults of his enemies, under the protecting shield of Providence, who had destined him for high things. The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. 1 Samuel 25:1. The modern Arabs celebrate the season with similar hilarity. He knew that the issue wasn’t Abigail’s gender, but that God used her at that time and place. Then it came about, after about ten days, that the LORD struck Nabal, and he died. 1 Samuel Chapter 25. 143 It was not Saul’s idea to inquire of a “seer” to learn where his father’s lost donkeys might be (1 Samuel 9:5-9). God’s work never is dependent on only one man. Jesus may have had Nabal in mind when He taught the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:15-21). Wolf, Herbert M. “1-2 Samuel.” In The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, edited by Gary M. Burge and Andrew E. Hill. Previous Next . And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand. Their division into two books each, as we now have them, originates with the so-called Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, said to have been made in the third century B.C. 1 Samuel 25:14-35 . But Nabal is not dealing with a weak, no-account man; David was a great soldier and warrior. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. To say that it was for David would suggest that he was in this just for the money, and that David’s insulted dignity could be bought off with money. 1 Chronicles 9:22 suggests he organized the Levites in the service of the sanctuary which was completed by David and Solomon. i. In verse 1, we are told that Samuel has died. The Israelites gathered together and lamented for him: Samuel seemed to be unappreciated by Israel during his life (1 Samuel 8:1-7) but at least he was honored in his death. (Matthew 5:38-39). Part 1 - 1 Samuel chapter 1 - Samuel: the boy whose mother gave him to God. Samuel has been one of the central personalities in the Book of 1 Samuel, which is named after him. ABIGAIL PACIFIES HIM. David protected Nabal’s shepherds and flocks a long time but did not expect to be compensated until Nabal himself made his money at the “harvest” of sheep shearing. Click on the different category headings to find out more. And David arose and went down to the Wilderness of Paran. c. David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel, and so both of them were his wives: Though Abigail was David’s “second marriage,” with Ahinoam David took a second wife and will add many more wives. Your enemies are like rocks that the LORD will sling away.” This invites David to act like a man who is close to the LORD. In his angry, agitated state, something unexpected made David and his whole company come to an immediate stop: a great procession of gifts, and at the head of that procession, a beautiful woman bowing down before David. Through her wise words, Abigail focused David’s attention from Nabal back unto the LORD. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Like other wildernesses, it presented large tracts of natural pasture, to which the people sent their cattle at the grazing season, but where they were liable to constant and heavy depredations by prowling Arabs. To revile means, “to treat with contemptuous language.”. So she fell at his feet and said: “On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be! And he was of the house of Caleb. For the LORD has returned the wickedness of Nabal on his own head.” And David sent and proposed to Abigail, to take her as his wife. At all events, it was the means of opening his eyes to the moral character of the course on which he had been impetuously rushing; and in accepting her present, he speaks with lively satisfaction as well as gratitude to Abigail, for having relieved him from bloodshed. For their own sake and for the sake of the household they asked Abigail to do something (consider what you will do). Let this be a warning to drunkards.” (Trapp). If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Providence favoured him with a breathing time, and yet this chapter gives us instances of the troubles of David. For the LORD has returned the wickedness of Nabal on his own head: David knew the death of Nabal was God’s judgment, which the LORD showed when David decided to let the LORD avenge him instead of avenging himself. b. David sent and proposed to Abigail: In 1 Samuel 25:31, Abigail asked David, then remember your maidservant. There he was, holding a feast in his house: Nabal lived up to his name; he was a fool. Unlike David (see 1 Samuel 22:10, 15), Saul is not accustomed to seeking divine guidance. 25 u Now Samuel died. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and your son David: David made this request because he performed a valuable service for Nabal, protecting his flocks when Philistine raids were common. i. Scripture David was on the run from King Saul, who wanted to kill David. This is high ground to walk on, but it is commanded by Jesus: Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Saul caught up with David near the wilderness of Engedi, but David spared Saul’s life. Nabal was never out of God’s reach and when it was the right time, God took care of him. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. a. Abigail made haste: Since she was a woman of good understanding (1 Samuel 25:3), she knew that time was of the essence and something had to be done quickly. b. She greeted the servants of David with the greatest humility. “All which time he lay like a block in his bed, without repentance or confidence in God; but condemned of his own conscience, he went to his place without noise. They were a wall to us both by night and day, all the time we were with them keeping the sheep. Chapter 25. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. Those have hard hearts, who can bury faithful ministers without grief; who do not feel their loss of those who have prayed for them, and taught them the way of the Lord. It might also seal his doom before Saul, because for the first time David would have given Saul a legitimate reason to hunt him down as a criminal. ii. We have here some intermission of David’s troubles by Saul. And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to … Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. When others sin against us, we may feel justified in sinning against them, but we are never justified by our hurt feelings. a. Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich. on StudyLight.org The men were very good to us: Nabal’s servants told Abigail of the valuable service David’s men performed. In our modern way of speaking, Nabal said, “Who does he think he is?”. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. 1 Samuel 25. In our modern way of speaking, David would have said to his men, “Lock and load!” In a western movie, he would have said, “Mount up, boys!” David was ready to fight. 2. There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master: Nabal deepened his insult, saying that David is simply a rebellious servant. God would have us bear insults with love and kindness, returning their evil with our good. Hence when Nabal held his annual sheep-shearing in Carmel, David felt himself entitled to share in the festival and sent a message, recounting his own services and asking for a present. 23. she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face--Dismounting in presence of a superior is the highest token of respect that can be given; and it is still an essential act of homage to the great. In ancient Israel names were often connected with a person’s character. The writer mentions Samuel only once more (at the end of chapter 19) before his death in 25:1. ix. You have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand: David can also thank God because Abigail successfully reminded him of his destiny – to reign over Israel in righteousness and integrity. And it came about while he was shearing his sheep in Carmel . When the servants of David had come to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her saying, “David sent us to you, to ask you to become his wife.” Then she arose, bowed her face to the earth, and said, “Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” So Abigail rose in haste and rode on a donkey, attended by five of her maidens; and she followed the messengers of David, and became his wife. 36. he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king--The sheep-shearing season was always a very joyous occasion. In this regard, Nabal is a picture of the sinner who goes on rejecting God without regard to God’s coming judgment. But there are many Abigails today who are in that place not because the marriage was arranged but because they chose it. i. The fact that he was of the house of Caleb may also be a bad description of Nabal, because Caleb means dog, and to be of the house ofa dog was no compliment. And now this present which your maidservant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord. The Hebrews took as great care to provide sepulchers anciently as people do in the East still, where every respectable family has its own house of the dead. Then David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! His life was in imminent danger – his wife knew it, all his servants knew it, but he didn’t know it. In your own words explain the main point of Hannah’s prayer in 2:3-10. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Therefore, they made this life-or-death appeal to Abigail. Abigail not only sent her servants in this way, but resolved to go in person, following her present, as is commonly done, to watch the impression which her munificence would produce. ( AG) 24 She fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, ( AH) and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. And boy, will I!” That is wrong, and they should look to Abigail as an example. She didn’t come to David as a superior (as the beautiful, rich, and privileged often do) or even as an equal; she came to David as his humble servant. Then Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, “Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? Doubtless, the timely appearance and prudent address of Abigail were greatly instrumental in changing his purpose. the man was very great--His property consisted in cattle, and he was considered wealthy, according to the ideas of that age. b. This proves that David did not need to avenge himself with his own hand; God was more than able to do it. He prayed daily for them. Who is David? Invite a student to read 1 Samuel 25:2–3 aloud. “As the word caleb signifies a dog, the Septuagint have understood it as implying a man of a canine disposition, and translate it thus… he was a doggish man. And please let your maidservant speak to you, and listen to the words of your maidservant. Despite David’s present anger and agitation – which is clearly sin – Abigail spoke of David’s character in high terms, regarding his present unmentioned state as an aberration (my lord fights the battles of the LORD, and evil is not found in you throughout your days). If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary 1 Samuel 25:2. For indeed, as the LORD God of Israel lives, who has kept me back from hurting you, unless you had hastened and come to meet me, surely by morning light no males would have been left to Nabal!” So David received from her hand what she had brought him, and said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. On such a festive occasion, near a town or village, even in our own time, an Arab sheik of the neighboring desert would hardly fail to put in a word either in person or by message; and his message, both in form and substance, would be only a transcript of that of David" [ROBINSON]. “It is remarkable how many Abigails get married to Nabals. Abigail asked permission to speak instead of taking command of the conversation (Please let your maidservant speak in your ears). When lots were drawn to learn who God had chosen as Israel’s king, Saul was not a part of that process; he was hiding (10:22). Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. And David’s submission to the LORD was equally outstanding; by giving up the fight, he had to trust God to take care of Nabal. 1 Chronicles 26:27-28 says Samuel began collecting treasures for building the temple in Solomon’s day. Get out the tissues, Shmoopers. She knew this was an urgent situation, so she acted with urgency. And the man was very rich: The first thing we learn about this man is where he lived (Maon, with his business in Carmel), and that he was a very rich man (three thousand sheep and a thousand goats). This proves that David did not need to avenge himself with his own hand; God was more than able to do it. We read more about his life than … When she first heard of the crisis, she immediately went into action (Then Abigail made haste, 1 Samuel 25:18). And please let your maidservant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your maidservant. i. David is being taught a good lesson – our hurt feelings never justify disobedience. Youngblood, Ronald F. “1, 2 Samuel.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 Samuel–2 Kings (Revised Edition), edited by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, Vol. c. Know and consider what you will do, for harm is determined: Nabal’s servants read the handwriting on the wall.
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