1 Samuel 25:14-17

One of the young men. Hebrew, "a lad of the lads," i.e. one of the servants (see on the word 1 Samuel 1:24 ); when used in this sense it has no reference to age (see 1 Samuel 2:17 ). This man was probably some old and confidential servitor. To salute. Hebrew, "to bless" (see 1 Samuel 13:10 ; 2 Kings 4:29 ). He railed on them. Literally, "flew upon them like a bird of prey." We were not hurt. Literally, "not put to shame" (see on 1 Samuel 25:7 ). The language of a people always bears witness to their character, and it is a mark of the high spirit of the Israelites that they thought less of the loss than of the disgrace of an injury. As long as we were conversant with them. Hebrew, "as long as we went about with them." In the fields. Really, "in the field," the wilderness, the common pasture land. A wall. I.e. a sure protection both against wild beasts and Amalekite and other plunderers. A son of Belial. A worthless, bad man (see on 1 Samuel 1:16 ), so coarse and violent that it is hopeless to expostulate with him.