1 Samuel 25:1-38
Summary for 1Sam 25:1-44: 25:1-44 a This episode about Nabal falls between two accounts in which Saul pursued David and David spared Saul’s life. Nabal was similar to Saul. 25:1 b Maon: This town in southern Judah (see study note on 23:24) was likely Nabal’s home. The wilderness of Paran, located in the northern half of the Sinai Peninsula, was too far south. The wilderness of Paran served as a place of refuge (Gen 21:21 c; 1 Kgs 11:18 d).25:2 e Carmel was a village near Maon, not to be confused with the famous mountain from the Elijah narrative in 1 Kgs 18 f. It was in this village that Saul had erected his monument to celebrate victory over the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:12 g).
25:3 h Nabal: See 25:25 i for insight into the irony of his name.
• Unlike her husband, Abigail was a sensible and wise person, as the narrative shows.
25:8 j Sheep-shearing time for herdsmen was like harvest time for farmers, a time of celebration and thankfulness for blessings.
25:10 k son of Jesse: Like Saul (20:27 l, 31 m; 22:7 n), Nabal used this designation disrespectfully.
25:21 o he has repaid me evil for good: Cp. 24:17 p.
25:26 q Abigail began and ended (25:31 r) her plea by declaring that God had kept you from murdering and taking vengeance: David could have killed Nabal (and Saul), but he didn’t.
25:28 s a lasting dynasty: See 2 Sam 7 t.
• fighting the Lord’s battles: David was known and loved for his victories over Israel’s enemies (1 Sam 18:7 u, 13 v, 16 w).
• have not done wrong: This comment does not indicate that David was sinless, but rather that he was innocent in his quest for the throne (as 25:29-31 x makes clear).
25:29 y The phrase like stones shot from a sling is a fitting metaphor for David, considering his defeat of Goliath with a sling (17:32-51 z).
25:36 aa like a king: Nabal was like Saul (see study note on 25:1-44).
25:37 ab Nabal was so stunned by the revelation that he had a stroke or a heart attack.
Copyright information for
TNotes