1 Samuel 25:17-33 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:23-25

Abigail … fell before David on her face. This very abject obeisance may have been grounded on her belief in David's future kingship, or it may simply mark the inferior position held by women in those days (see 1 Samuel 25:41 ). Her whole address is couched in very humble terms. David ( 1 Samuel 24:8 ) only stooped with his face to the ground before Saul. Upon me. Abigail represents herself as the person really guilty, on whom the iniquity , i.e. the punishment of the offence, must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:26-27

Abigail begins her appeal by affirming that it was Jehovah who thus made her come to prevent bloodshed; she next propitiates David with the prayer that his enemies may be as Nabal, insignificant fools; and finally asks him to accept her present, not for himself,—that would be too great an honour,—but as good enough only for his followers. The first of these affirmations is obscured by the rendering in the A.V and should be translated, "And now, my lord (an ordinary title of respect, like our ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:28

Forgive the trespass of thine handmaid. Reverting to her words in 1 Samuel 25:24 , that the blame and punishment must rest on her, she now prays for forgiveness; but the intermediate words in 1 Samuel 25:26 , emphasised in 1 Samuel 25:31 , have raised her request to a higher level. Her prayer rests on the ground that she was saving David from a sin, and that in his thirst for vengeance he was bringing upon himself guilt. If the form of Abigail's address was most humble, the matter of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:29

The bundle of life and the sling. The appeal of Abigail had all the more persuasiveness that she avowed her sympathy with David's cause, and her faith in the Divine purpose to make him king. Such a conviction was by this time widely diffused in the land among those who feared Jehovah and honoured the prophet Samuel. We have seen that it was confessed by Saul himself, and by Jonathan it was cherished with generous pleasure. But Nabal would not have it mentioned in his presence. In his eyes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:29-31

Yet a man is risen. Rather, "And should any one arise to pursue thee," etc. The reference is of course to Saul, but put with due reserve, and also made general, so as to include all possible injury attempted against David. Bound in the bundle of life. Hebrew, "of the living." The metaphor is taken from the habit of packing up in a bundle articles of great value or of indispensable use, so that the owner may carry them about his person. In India the phrase is common; thus, a just judge is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:32-35

David, in his thankful acknowledgment of Abigail's remonstrance, sees in it the hand of Jehovah the God of Israel, who had sent her, i.e. stirred her up to come. He commends also her advice , literally, her "taste," i.e. wisdom, discretion. It is the word rendered behaviour in 1 Samuel 21:13 . But for this prudent conduct on her part in thus coming to meet him on the way, he solemnly assures her on oath that nothing could have saved Nabal and every male in his household from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:32-35

Restraining mercy. The facts are— 1 . David, recognising the hand of God, expresses his sense of his mercy and blesses Abigail for her advice. 2 . He perceives, in the light of her remonstrance, the terrible evil of the passion that had swayed him. 3 . Accepting her present, he dismisses her in peace. The success of Abigail's wise conduct was now assured in a good man being saved the guilt and shame of acting at variance with his professed trust in God; and while duly honouring... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:18

Two bottles - Rather, “two skins,” each of which would contain many gallons. These leather vessels varied in size according to the skin they were made of, and the use they were to be put to. The smaller and more portable kind, which may not improperly be called bottles, were made of the skin of a kid: larger ones of the skin of a he-goat. The Arabs invariably to this day carry their milk, water, etc., in such leather vessels. One skin of wine was a handsome present from Ziba, sufficient for... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:20

The covert of the hill - Probably a defile or glen, literally a “secret place,” as in 1 Samuel 19:2. She was riding down into this glen from one side, while David and his men were descending the opposite hill. It is perhaps mentioned that she came by this “secret place,” because she chose this path to escape the observation of her husband or of anyone else. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:21

In vain - i. e., under false expectation. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:23-25

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:26-27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:28

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:29

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:29-31

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:32-35

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:32-35

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 25:21

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