1 Samuel 25:17-33 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:12-17

Here is, I. The report made to David of the abuse Nabal had given to his messengers (1 Sam. 25:12): They turned their way. They showed their displeasure, as became them to do, by breaking off abruptly from such a churl, but prudently governed themselves so well as not to render railing for railing, not to call him as he deserved, much less to take by force what ought of right to have been given them, but came and told David that he might do as he thought fit. Christ's servants, when they are... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:18-31

We have here an account of Abigail's prudent management for the preserving of her husband and family from the destruction that was just coming upon them; and we find that she did her part admirably well and fully answered her character. The passion of fools often makes those breaches in a little time which the wise, with all their wisdom, have much ado to make up again. It is hard to say whether Abigail was more miserable in such a husband or Nabal happy in such a wife. A virtuous woman is a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:32-35

As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear, Prov. 25:12. Abigail was a wise reprover of David's passion, and he gave an obedient ear to the reproof, according to his own principle (Ps. 141:5): Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness. Never was such an admonition either better given or better taken. I. David gives God thanks for sending him this happy check to a sinful way (1 Sam. 25:32): Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:17

Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do ,.... For the preservation of her family: for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household ; which he concluded, either from something that dropped from David's messengers, as they turned away from Nabal; or from the martial spirit of David himself, who would never put up such an affront and indignity cast upon him; or from some intelligence he had of David's arming his men, and marching to take vengeance: for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:18

Then Abigail made haste ,.... As the case required, her family being in imminent danger: and took two hundred loaves ; of bread; of what size or weight they were is not said; though it may be reasonably concluded they were pretty large, since they are not called cakes, but loaves, and since they were to be a present to David and his men, who were numerous: and two bottles of wine ; not such as ours are, which would have borne no proportion to the rest of the provision; but these were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:19

And she said to her servants, go on before me ,.... With the present, the sight of which she wisely considered would in a great measure pacify David, and prepare him to hear patiently what she had to say to him: behold, I come after you ; signifying it would not be long before she came up to them, and overtook them: but she told not her husband Nabal ; neither the danger he and his family were in through his conduct, nor the preparations she had made to prevent it; knowing his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:20

And it was so, as she rode on the ass ,.... After her servants: that she came down, by the covert of the hill ; by the side of it, which was covered with bushes, and she rode among them, in a way that led through them, and so was not seen by David and his men; or by the shadow of the hill, toward the bottom of it, where by reason of that, and the opposite hill, it was darkish, and they could not see each other: and, behold, David and his men came down against her ; came down a hill... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:21

Now David had said ,.... When the messengers returned and told him how they had been used by Nabal; or he "said" F3 אמר "ait", V. L. "dixit", Pagninus, Montanus; "dicebat", Vatablus. , or was saying within himself, or to his men, what follows, just as Abigail met him: surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness ; which shows that lie was in a violent passion, and had Nabal in the utmost contempt and indignation, in that he mentions not his name, only... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:22

So and more also do God unto the enemies of David ,.... Give them as much health and prosperity, as much wealth and riches, as Nabal has, and much more: if I leave of all that pertain to him, by the morning light, any that pisseth against the wall ; which is generally understood of a dog, that he, would not leave him so much as a dog: but it is better, with Ben Gersom, to interpret it of the males in his house, himself, his sons, and servants; and so the Targum paraphrases it of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:23

And when Abigail saw David ,.... Whom she either knew personally, or rather supposed who he was by the number of men that followed him: she hasted, and alighted off the ass ; on which she rode: and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground ; in respect to, and reverence of, so great a person as David was. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:12-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:18-31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:32-35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 25:23

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