1 Samuel 25

hurting thee.] David knew full well that he durst not trust his own heart; and, being jealous over himself with godly jealousy, ever made God his refuge. In this instance, when he had been kept back from sin, on an opportunity provoking him thereto, he blessed God for it, ver. 32; for he saw that it was God’s doing, more than his own. Thus, without God’s help and blessing, all human endeavours are vain: His help and blessing must therefore be especially sought for by prayer. Bp. Sanderson. Who would not think that the ungrateful conduct of Nabal, heightened by reproachful language, would have warranted the sharpest revenge; such as began to broil and burn in the breast of this great warrior? But vengeance is so much the prerogative of the Almighty, so absolutely the peculiar of heaven, that no consideration whatever can warrant the best of men in indulging such a feeling. On this occasion, David, being prevented, by a happy and seasonable pacification, from acting a bloody tragedy on which he was entering, and so turning his eyes from the baseness of him, who had stirred up his revenge, to the goodness of that God who had prevented it, breaks forth into the triumphant praises and thanksgivings here expressed; which serve to teach us the important truth, that prevention of sin is one of the greatest mercies which God can vouchsafe to us in this world. Dr. South.

1 Samuel 25:5

5. — and greet him in my name.] This message of David to Nabal affords a fine picture of ancient and true politeness. The message is directed “to him that liveth;” that is, that liveth in prosperity: in Scripture, living, and being happy, are frequently synonymous; and now, David’s benevolent spirit suggested to him, that, being happy ourselves, we should endeavour to make others share in our happiness. The great beauty and propriety of that ancient Eastern salutation, “Peace be to thee,” is very emphatical, inasmuch as the best blessings of life, and all the social affections, attend upon peace: the modesty too of the message is very remarkable; for, though David had much real merit towards Nabal, yet he puts his request on having no demerit towards him; and at the same time referring him to his servants for fuller information. Harmer.

6. — lay in the trench.] Or rather, in his chariot; for so the Greek translators have rendered the Hebrew word here. Bp. Patrick. Perhaps a place surrounded with the carriages. Dr. Wells. — the people pitched round about him.] An Arab camp is always round, when the disposition of the ground will admit it; the prince being in the middle, and the Arabs about him at a respectful distance. Their lances are fixed near them in the ground all the day, ready for action. D’Arvieux’s Travels in Palestine. We have several representations in Homer of the chiefs wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

1 Samuel 25:7

7. So David and Abishai came—by night:] This may seem a strange and bold attempt, for two persons to go into the midst of an army of 3000 chosen men. It should be considered, however, that while historians relate something similar of several gallant men, David had throughout an assurance given him, that God would preserve him in all dangers to succeed to the kingdom; and that, at this time, he may have had a particular impulse and incitement from God, in order that he might have a second opportunity of manifesting to Saul his innocence, and the justice of his cause. Dr. Delaney, Stackhouse. 9. — who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed.] Although David was himself anointed king, and cruelly persecuted by Saul; and though he might have pleaded necessity and providence as much as any persons ever could, (when Saul was thus strangely delivered into his hands,) yet we see what opinion he had of the sacredness of the person of even a bad king. It was not his modesty or policy which kept him from injuring Saul; for he expressly declares, that it was the sin of so doing which kept him from it. He knew it was sufficient (as he states in the next verse) to leave the judgment of Saul’s conduct to God. Bp. Stillingfeet.

1 Samuel 25:10

10. — there be many servants now a days &c.] This was one of the most atrocious reproaches that could be

cast upon a well born and innocent man; implying those crimes, on account of which bad servants become fugitives from their masters. Dr. Chandler. Nabal’s answer was agreeable to his character, rude and sullen; a strong image of ungoverned brutality, and very natural to that insolence, which wealth is too apt to dictate to undisciplined spirits. Dr. Delaney.

1 Samuel 25:11

11. — my bread, and my water.] Water is considered as an important part of the provision made for a repast in Eastern countries, and is sent as such to shearers and reapers in particular. The words of Nabal, in reply to David’s messengers, are not in the least surprising. The following passage from Drummond’s Travels affords proof of their propriety: “the men and women were then employed in reaping: other females were employed in carrying water to the reapers; so that none but infants were unemployed.” Harmer.

1 Samuel 25:13

13. — abode by the stuff.] Remained in the wilderness to guard their property. Dr. Wells.

1 Samuel 25:17

17. — such a son of Belial.] So wilful and obstinate. Bp. Patrick.

1 Samuel 25:18

18. — two bottles of wine.] It must be obvious to

1 Samuel 25:35

35. — and have accepted thy person.] I have accepted thy interposition for Nabal, and for thy sake will not execute my intended vengeance. Dr. Chandler.

1 Samuel 25:37

37. — he became as a stone.] He was struck with such astonishment, according to Josephus, that he fell into a dead numbness all over his body. Stackhouse.

1 Samuel 25:38

38. — the Lord smote Nabal, that he died.] The history is here not recording a miracle, but only the man’s being struck with a mortal disease. This and other such expressions are frequently nothing more than figurative acknowledgments of the universal superintendency of Providence over all human events. Dr. S. Clarke. There are two reflections to be made on the history of Nabal. 1. The example of Nabal, who, by his greediness and churlishness, well nigh caused the ruin of his whole family, should teach us, that covetousness and ill nature may bring upon us great evils: we learn also from Nabal’s death, that avarice, anger, and drunkenness, are generally attended with fatal consequences, and even sometimes occasion the death of those who run into these excesses. 2. From the conduct of David, who, in a transport of rage, vowed to destroy him and his whole family, we may learn how dangerous it is to suffer ourselves to be carried away by passion and resentment; that what is done in anger often occasions repentance and remorse of conscience, and that we ought to thank God when He keeps us from offending against His laws, and executing our evil intentions. Ostervald.

1 Samuel 25:39

39. — Blessed be the Lord.] David does not rejoice in the death of Nabal, who was a worthless wretch; but in the justice of God, who shewed in this instance that right will be done to men, provided they have patience, without their taking vengeance into their own hands. Bp. Patrick. In the whole of this affair with Nabal, it must be allowed, that David’s passion, and his oath to destroy Nabal and his family, are by no means to be vindicated: although the provocation given him was of the highest nature, particularly to a military man, and aggravated by circumstances of outrage, yet the oath was rash and the resolution cruel. Still, as the most generous minds are apt to be soonest irritated and most easily pacified, David was quickly soothed by Abigail’s prudence; and then blessed the Lord God of Israel for sending her, blessed her advice, and blessed herself for keeping him from bloodshed: all this indicated an ingenuous disposition, and great moderation and humanity of temper. Dr. Chandler. How fine a lesson is this to mankind to forgive injuries, to refer themselves and their concerns to the Saul cometh against David. David preserveth Saul’s life. Before CHRIST about 1066. self on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord. feet.

1 Samuel 25:44

44. But Saul had given] Rather, For Saul had given: it is assigned as a reason for David’s taking another wife, that Saul had deprived him of his former wife. Bp. Patrick. Chap. XXVI. ver. 2. Then Saul arose.] The inconstancy, falseness, and implacable rage of this prince, are really inconceivable. Not long before, he had been indebted to David for his life, had acknowledged his own errour, and made David swear he would be kind to his posterity: yet here he openly declares himself his enemy again, and seeks to take his life. Bp. Patrick.