1 Samuel Chapter 25

The Death of Samuel

1And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

David and Nabal

2And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb. 4And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep. 5And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: 6And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast. 7And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. 8Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.

9And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. 10And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. 11Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? 12So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings. 13And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

14But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. 15But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: 16They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. 17Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

Abigail Intercedes for Nabal

18Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. 19And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal. 20And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them. 21Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good. 22So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

23And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, 24And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. 25Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

26Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. 27And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. 28I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. 29Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling. 30And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; 31That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.

32And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: 33And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. 34For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. 35So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

36And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light. 37But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. 38And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.

David Marries Abigail

39And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife. 40And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife. 41And she arose, and bowed herself 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. 42And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.

43David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.

44But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Death of Samuel

1 Samuel died; and all Israel gathered themselves together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

David, Nabal, and Abigail

2 There was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good understanding, and of a beautiful face: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb. 4 David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. 5 David sent ten young men, and David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. 6 You shall tell him, ‘Long life to you! Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. 7 Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds have now been with us, and we didn’t hurt them, neither was there anything missing from them, all the while they were in Carmel. 8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore, let the young men find favor in your eyes; for we come in a good day. Please give whatever comes to your hand, to your servants, and to your son David.’”

9 When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. 10 Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants who break away from their masters these days. 11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don’t know where they come from?” 12 So David’s young men turned on their way, and went back, and came and told him according to all these words. 13 David said to his men, “Every man put on his sword!” Every man put on his sword. David also put on his sword. About four hundred men followed David; and two hundred stayed by the baggage.

14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to Greet our master; and he railed at them. 15 But the men were very good to us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we anything, as long as we went with them, when we were in the fields. 16 They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. 17 Now therefore know and consider what you will do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his house; for he is such a worthless fellow that one can’t speak to him.”

Abigail Intercedes for Nabal

18 Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two bottles of wine, five sheep ready dressed, five measures of parched grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. 19 She said to her young men, “Go on before me. Behold, I come after you.” But she didn’t tell her husband, Nabal. 20 It was so, as she rode on her donkey, and came down by the covert of the mountain, that behold, David and his men came down toward her; and she met them. 21 Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him. He has returned me evil for good. 22 God do so to the enemies of David, and more also, if I leave of all that belongs to him by the morning light so much as one who urinates on a wall.”

23 When Abigail saw David, she hurried, and alighted from her donkey, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground. 24 She fell at his feet, and said, “On me, my lord, on me be the iniquity; and please let your handmaid speak in your ears. Hear the words of your handmaid. 25 Please don’t let my lord regard this worthless fellow, even Nabal; for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; but I, your handmaid, didn’t see the young men of my lord, whom you sent.

26 Now therefore, my lord, as Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, since Yahweh has withheld you from blood guiltiness, and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now therefore let your enemies, and those who seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. 27 Now this present which your servant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord. 28 Please forgive the trespass of your handmaid. For Yahweh will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights the battles of Yahweh; and evil shall not be found in you all your days. 29 Though men may rise up to pursue you, and to seek your soul, yet the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with Yahweh your God. He will sling out the souls of your enemies, as from the hollow of a sling. 30 It shall come to pass, when Yahweh has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you, and shall have appointed you prince over Israel, 31 that this shall be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. When Yahweh has dealt well with my lord, then remember your handmaid.”

32 David said to Abigail, “Blessed is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 Blessed is your discretion, and blessed are you, that have kept me this day from blood guiltiness, and from avenging myself with my own hand. 34 For indeed, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, who has withheld me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, surely there wouldn’t have been left to Nabal by the morning light so much as one who urinates on a wall.” 35 So David received of her hand that which she had brought him: and he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. Behold, I have listened to your voice, and have granted your request.”

36 Abigail came to Nabal; and behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken. Therefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light. 37 It happened in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. 38 It happened about ten days after, that Yahweh struck Nabal, so that he died.

David Marries Abigail

39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed is Yahweh, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from evil. Yahweh has returned the evildoing of Nabal on his own head.” David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to him as wife. 40 When the servants of David had come to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you, to take you to him as wife.” 41 She arose, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, “Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” 42 Abigail hurried, and arose, and rode on a donkey, with five ladies of hers who followed her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.

43 David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they both became his wives.

44 Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.

The Death of Samuel

1 When Samuel died, all Israel gathered to mourn for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah.

Then David set out and went down to the Wilderness of Paran. a

David, Nabal, and Abigail

2 Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. 3 His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. 5 So David sent ten young men and instructed them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel. Greet him in my name 6 and say to him, ‘Long life to you, and peace to you and your house and to all that belongs to you. 7 Now I hear that it is time for shearing. When your shepherds were with us, we did not harass them, and nothing of theirs was missing the whole time they were in Carmel. 8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on the day of a feast. Please give whatever you can afford to your servants and to your son David.’ ”

9 When David’s young men arrived, they relayed all these words to Nabal on behalf of David. Then they waited.

10 But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. 11 Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”

12 So David’s men turned around and went back, and they relayed to him all these words.

13 And David said to his men, “Strap on your swords!” So David and all his men put on their swords, and about four hundred men followed David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

14 Meanwhile, one of Nabal’s young men informed Nabal’s wife Abigail, “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he scolded them. 15 Yet these men were very good to us. When we were in the field, we were not harassed, and nothing of ours went missing the whole time we lived among them. 16 They were a wall around us, both day and night, the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. 17 Now consider carefully what you must do, because disaster looms over our master and all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that nobody can speak to him!”

Abigail Intercedes for Nabal

18 Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, b a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys 19 and said to her young men, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

20 As Abigail came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming down toward her, and she met them.

21 Now David had just finished saying, “In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good. 22 May God punish David, c and ever so severely, if I let one of Nabal’s men survive until morning.”

23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him. 24 She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. 25 My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, d for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.

26 Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, the LORD has held you back from coming to bloodshed and avenging yourself with your own hand. May your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal.

27 Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you. 28 Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.

29 And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling. e

30 When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel, 31 then my lord will have no remorse or guilt of conscience over needless bloodshed and revenge. And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, may you remember your maidservant.”

32 Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day! 33 Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand. 34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light.”

35 Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him, and he said to her, “Go home in peace. See, I have heeded your voice and granted your request.”

36 When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.

37 In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these events, and his heart failed within him and he became like a stone. 38 About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead.

David Marries Abigail

39 On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.”

Then David sent word to Abigail, asking for her in marriage. 40 When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.”

41 She arose, then bowed facedown and said, “Here is your maidservant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

42 So Abigail hurried and got on a donkey, and attended by five of her maidens, she followed David’s messengers and became his wife.

43 David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel. So she and Abigail were both his wives. 44 But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti f son of Laish, who was from Gallim.

Footnotes:

1 a Hebrew and some LXX manuscripts; other LXX manuscripts Maon
18 b 5 seahs  is approximately 33 dry quarts or 36.5 liters of roasted grain.
22 c Some LXX manuscripts; MT David’s enemies
25 d Nabal  means fool .
29 e Literally fling away the souls of your enemies as from the pocket of a sling
44 f Palti  is a variant of Paltiel ; see 2 Samuel 3:15.

The Death of Samuel

1And Samuel dieth, and all Israel are gathered, and mourn for him, and bury him in his house, in Ramah; and David riseth and goeth down unto the wilderness of Paran.

David and Nabal

2And there is a man in Maon, and his work is in Carmel; and the man is very great, and he hath three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats; and he is shearing his flock in Carmel. 3And the name of the man is Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail, and the woman is of good understanding, and of fair form, and the man is hard and evil in doings; and he is a Calebite. 4And David heareth in the wilderness that Nabal is shearing his flock, 5and David sendeth ten young men, and David saith to the young men, 'Go ye up to Carmel, and ye have come in unto Nabal, and asked of him in my name of welfare, 6and said thus: To life! and thou, peace; and thy house, peace; and all that thou hast -- peace! 7and, now, I have heard that thou hast shearers; now, the shepherds whom thou hast have been with us, we have not put them to shame, nor hath anything been looked after by them, all the days of their being in Carmel. 8'Ask thy young men, and they declare to thee, and the young men find grace in thine eyes, for on a good day we have come; give, I pray thee, that which thy hand findeth, to thy servants, and to thy son, to David.'

9And the young men of David come in, and speak unto Nabal according to all these words, in the name of David -- and rest. 10And Nabal answereth the servants of David and saith, 'Who is David, and who the son of Jesse? to-day have servants been multiplied who are breaking away each from his master; 11and I have taken my bread, and my water, and my flesh, which I slaughtered for my shearers, and have given it to men whom I have not known whence they are!' 12And the young men of David turn on their way, and turn back, and come in, and declare to him according to all these words. 13And David saith to his men, 'Gird ye on each his sword;' and they gird on each his sword, and David also girdeth on his sword, and there go up after David about four hundred men, and two hundred have remained by the vessels.

14And to Abigail wife of Nabal hath one young man of the youths declared, saying, 'Lo, David hath sent messengers out of the wilderness to bless our lord, and he flieth upon them; 15and the men are very good to us, and have not put us to shame, and we have not looked after anything all the days we have gone up and down with them, in our being in the field; 16a wall they have been unto us both by night and by day, all the days of our being with them, feeding the flock. 17And, now, know and consider what thou dost; for evil hath been determined against our lord, and against all his house, and he is too much a son of worthlessness to be spoken to.'

Abigail Intercedes for Nabal

18And Abigail hasteth, and taketh two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep, prepared, and five measures of roasted corn, and a hundred bunches of raisins, and two hundred bunches of figs, and setteth them on the asses. 19And she saith to her young men, 'Pass over before me; lo, after you I am coming;' and to her husband Nabal she hath not declared it; 20and it hath come to pass, she is riding on the ass and is coming down in the secret part of the hill-country, and lo, David and his men are coming down to meet her, and she meeteth them. 21And David said, 'Only, in vain I have kept all that this one hath in the wilderness, and nothing hath been looked after of all that he hath, and he turneth back to me evil for good; 22thus doth God do to the enemies of David, and thus He doth add, if I leave of all that he hath till the light of the morning -- of those sitting on the wall.'

23And Abigail seeth David, and hasteth and cometh down from off the ass, and falleth before David on her face, and boweth herself to the earth, 24and falleth at his feet and saith, 'On me, my lord, the iniquity; and let, I pray thee, thy handmaid speak in thine ear, and hear the words of thy handmaid. 25Let not, I pray thee, my lord set his heart to this man of worthlessness, on Nabal, for as his name is so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; and I, thine handmaid, did not see the young men of my lord whom thou didst send;

26and now, my lord, Jehovah liveth, and thy soul liveth, in that Jehovah hath withheld thee from coming in with blood, and to save thy hand to thee -- now let thine enemies be as Nabal, even those seeking evil unto my lord. 27'And, now, this blessing which thy maid-servant hath brought to my lord -- it hath been given to the young men who are going up and down at the feet of my lord. 28Bear, I pray thee, with the transgression of thy handmaid, for Jehovah doth certainly make to my lord a stedfast house; for the battles of Jehovah hath my lord fought, and evil is not found in thee all thy days. 29And man riseth to pursue thee and to seek thy soul, and the soul of my lord hath been bound in the bundle of life with Jehovah thy God; as to the soul of thine enemies, He doth sling them out in the midst of the hollow of the sling. 30'And it hath been, when Jehovah doth to my lord according to all the good which He hath spoken concerning thee, and appointed thee for leader over Israel, 31that this is not to thee for a stumbling-block, and for an offence of heart to my lord -- either to shed blood for nought, or my lord's restraining himself; and Jehovah hath done good to my lord, and thou hast remembered thy handmaid.'

32And David saith to Abigail, 'Blessed is Jehovah, God of Israel, who hath sent thee this day to meet me, 33and blessed is thy discretion, and blessed art thou in that thou hast restrained me this day from coming in with blood, and to restrain my hand to myself. 34And yet, Jehovah liveth, God of Israel, who hath kept me back from doing evil with thee, for unless thou hadst hasted, and dost come to meet me, surely there had not been left to Nabal till the light of the morning, of those sitting on the wall.' 35And David receiveth from her hand that which she hath brought to him, and to her he hath said, 'Go up in peace to thy house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and accept thy face.'

36And Abigail cometh in unto Nabal, and lo, he hath a banquet in his house, like a banquet of the king, and the heart of Nabal is glad within him, and he is drunk unto excess, and she hath not declared to him anything, less or more, till the light of the morning. 37And it cometh to pass in the morning, when the wine is gone out from Nabal, that his wife declareth to him these things, and his heart dieth within him, and he hath been as a stone. 38And it cometh to pass, in about ten days, that Jehovah smiteth Nabal, and he dieth,

David Marries Abigail

39and David heareth that Nabal is dead, and saith, 'Blessed is Jehovah who hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and His servant hath kept back from evil, and the wickedness of Nabal hath Jehovah turned back on his own head;' and David sendeth and speaketh with Abigail, to take her to him for a wife. 40And the servants of David come in unto Abigail at Carmel, and speak unto her, saying, 'David hath sent us unto thee to take thee to him for a wife.' 41And she riseth and boweth herself -- face to the earth -- and saith, 'Lo, thy handmaid is for a maid-servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.' 42And Abigail hasteth and riseth, and rideth on the ass; and five of her young women who are going at her feet; and she goeth after the messengers of David, and is to him for a wife.

43And Ahinoam hath David taken from Jezreel, and they are -- even both of them -- to him for wives;

44and Saul gave Michal his daughter, wife to David, to Phalti son of Laish, who is of Gallim.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 25?

1.1Introduction to 1 Samuel 25

1.2Context of 1 Samuel 25

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.51 Samuel 25 Unique Insights

1.61 Samuel 25 Connections to Yeshua

1.71 Samuel 25 Scriptural Echoes

1.81 Samuel 25 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 25?

Introduction to 1 Samuel 25

1 Samuel 25 presents a pivotal narrative showcasing divine providence and wisdom through an unexpected source. This chapter introduces us to Abigail, whose quick thinking and godly wisdom prevents David from bloodshed that would have stained his future kingship. The story unfolds against the backdrop of shepherding life in ancient Israel, where hospitality customs and honor codes played crucial roles in maintaining social order.

This chapter serves as a masterclass in godly character, contrasting the foolishness of Nabal with the wisdom of Abigail, while revealing David’s humanity and growth as a future king. Through this dramatic encounter, we witness how God’s providence works through human agency to accomplish His purposes and protect His anointed one.

Context of 1 Samuel 25

This chapter is strategically positioned between two instances where David spares Saul’s life (1 Samuel 24 and 1 Samuel 26). This placement is significant as it demonstrates David’s ongoing development as a leader. While he shows remarkable restraint with Saul, God uses Abigail to prevent him from acting rashly with Nabal, teaching him crucial lessons about vengeance and justice that would be essential for his future role as king.

Within the broader narrative of 1 Samuel, this chapter provides a crucial pause in the Saul-David conflict, offering insights into David’s character development during his wilderness years. The episode demonstrates how God was shaping David’s character through various trials and encounters, preparing him for kingship through both successes and potential failures.

In the larger biblical narrative, this chapter serves as a vital link in the chain of events leading to David’s kingship, illustrating how God’s providence works through human instruments to accomplish His purposes. The themes of wisdom, foolishness, and divine protection echo throughout Scripture, from the wisdom literature to the New Testament teachings about godly character and leadership.

Ancient Key Word Study

נָבָל (Nabal) – Meaning “fool” or “senseless person.” This name isn’t merely descriptive but carries deep theological significance in Hebrew wisdom literature. The term appears in Psalm 14:1 describing one who denies God’s existence through their actions. The word plays on the concept of moral folly rather than mere intellectual deficiency.
אֲבִיגַיִל (Abigail) – Meaning “my father is joy” or “father of joy.” The name combines “ab” (father) with “gil” (joy/rejoicing), possibly indicating her character as one who brings joy through wisdom. Her name becomes synonymous with wisdom and discernment in Jewish tradition.
שָׁלוֹם (shalom) – Used in Abigail’s greeting, this term encompasses more than “peace,” suggesting wholeness, completeness, and well-being. Her use of this term is diplomatically significant in the context of averting bloodshed.
נְבָלָה (nebalah) – Meaning “foolishness” or “disgraceful thing,” this word shares the same root as Nabal’s name. Its usage in verse 25 creates a powerful wordplay emphasizing the connection between Nabal’s name and his character.
גָיִל (gayil) – Meaning “to rejoice” or “joy,” this root appears in descriptions of Abigail’s actions, suggesting that true wisdom brings joy and celebration, contrasting with the false festivities of Nabal’s feast.
חֶסֶד (chesed) – Appearing in the context of David’s protection of Nabal’s shepherds, this term denotes covenant faithfulness and loyal love, highlighting the social obligations Nabal violated.
תְּבָרֵךְ (tevarekh) – The blessing formula used by Abigail carries significant theological weight, recognizing divine sovereignty and appealing to God’s covenant promises.
נְקָמָה (neqamah) – The concept of vengeance that David initially seeks is portrayed as belonging to God alone, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.
כָּלֵב (Caleb) – Nabal is identified as a Calebite, connecting him to the faithful spy who inherited Hebron. This detail adds irony to his unfaithful behavior.

Compare & Contrast

1 Samuel 25:6 – The greeting “Peace be to you” (לְחָי) uses an unusual form that literally means “to life.” This specific construction, rather than the more common “shalom,” emphasizes the life-and-death nature of the encounter about to unfold.
1 Samuel 25:18 – The detailed list of provisions Abigail prepares uses precise measurements and terms, emphasizing both abundance and thoughtful preparation. The text could have simply stated she brought food, but the specificity highlights her wisdom in practical matters.
1 Samuel 25:24 – Abigail’s address to David as “my lord” (אֲדֹנִי) appears repeatedly, showing careful diplomatic language rather than mere flattery. The Hebrew emphasizes her recognition of his future kingship.
1 Samuel 25:26 – The phrase “as the LORD lives” (חַי־יְהוָה) is a solemn oath formula that Abigail uses strategically to align her appeal with David’s own covenant relationship with God.
1 Samuel 25:29 – The metaphor of the “bundle of the living” (צְרוֹר הַחַיִּים) draws on imagery of precious items being bound up for safekeeping, a powerful poetic device unique to this passage.
1 Samuel 25:37 – The description of Nabal’s heart dying “within him” uses the phrase “died within him” (וַיָּמָת לִבּוֹ בְּקִרְבּוֹ) to emphasize the internal nature of God’s judgment.
1 Samuel 25:41 – Abigail’s response to David’s marriage proposal uses humble language that echoes Ruth’s words to Boaz, creating an intentional literary connection to another redemptive story.

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1 Samuel 25 Unique Insights

The chapter contains a fascinating parallel to the Jewish wedding customs that would later develop. Abigail’s interaction with David mirrors elements of ancient betrothal practices, where the bride (representing the people of God) accepts the authority of the bridegroom (representing the Messiah). Her quick response to David’s messengers and her immediate readiness to become his wife prefigures the ideal response to the Messiah’s call.

The timing of this encounter during sheep-shearing season is significant in Jewish tradition. Sheep-shearing was traditionally a time of celebration and hospitality, making Nabal’s inhospitality even more egregious. The Midrash notes that sheep-shearing celebrations were moments when God often orchestrated significant encounters, as with Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38), and here with David and Abigail.

The rabbinical tradition identifies Abigail as one of seven prophetesses mentioned in Scripture, alongside Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Huldah, and Esther. Her prophetic insight is evident in her words to David, where she speaks of his future dynasty with remarkable clarity. The early Jewish commentators note that her ability to see David’s true destiny despite his current circumstances marks her as a woman of exceptional spiritual discernment.

The passage contains what some scholars identify as a chiastic structure centered on Abigail’s encounter with David, with themes of foolishness and wisdom bracketing the central message about divine providence and protection. This literary structure emphasizes the theological truth that God’s purposes prevail even through human foolishness and wisdom.

1 Samuel 25 Connections to Yeshua

This chapter prefigures several aspects of the Messiah’s ministry and relationship with His people. David’s role as the rejected but divinely appointed king parallels Yeshua’s experience as the rejected Messiah who will ultimately rule. The chapter’s emphasis on divine protection and providence foreshadows how the Father preserves His Son’s mission despite human opposition.

Abigail’s intercession on behalf of her household presents a beautiful type of the Messiah’s intercessory role. Just as she stands between David’s righteous anger and her foolish husband’s household, Yeshua stands between God’s righteous judgment and sinful humanity. Her wisdom in averting bloodshed points to the Messiah’s perfect wisdom in establishing peace between God and man through His own blood, rather than requiring ours.

1 Samuel 25 Scriptural Echoes

The chapter’s themes resonate throughout Scripture. The contrast between wisdom and foolishness echoes the wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs 31, where Abigail exemplifies the wise woman who “opens her mouth with wisdom” and whose value is “far above jewels.”

The concept of divine protection seen in Abigail’s words about David being “bound in the bundle of the living” finds parallel expressions in Psalm 91 and throughout the Psalms where David later reflects on God’s faithful protection. The theme of God’s restraining grace preventing His chosen ones from sin is echoed in Psalm 19:13.

1 Samuel 25 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our responses to provocation and injustice. Like David, we may face situations where we feel justified in taking revenge, but God calls us to a higher path. Abigail’s example teaches us the power of wise, grace-filled words to deflect anger and prevent sin.

The contrast between Nabal and Abigail invites us to consider our own character. Are we, like Nabal, foolishly ignoring God’s work in others’ lives? Or do we, like Abigail, have the wisdom to recognize God’s hand and align ourselves with His purposes? The chapter reminds us that true wisdom is not merely intellectual but is demonstrated in practical actions and words that bring peace.

Did You Know

The amount of provisions Abigail prepared (200 loaves, 2 skins of wine, 5 sheep, etc.) would have fed David’s entire band of 600 men, showing both her generosity and practical wisdom.
The name Nabal (נָבָל) appears in ancient Near Eastern texts outside the Bible as a term for social outcasts or foolish nobles who abused their position.
Sheep-shearing festivals in ancient Israel were significant social events that could last several days and were traditionally times of exceptional hospitality and celebration.
The area where this story takes place, around Carmel in Judah, was known for its excellent grazing lands and was particularly valuable during the dry season.
Abigail’s description of David as one who “fights the LORD’s battles” uses military terminology that would later become associated with the Messiah in prophetic literature.
The “bundle of the living” metaphor Abigail uses derives from the practice of binding valuable items together for safekeeping during travel, a common custom in ancient near eastern cultures.
Archaeological evidence from this period shows that wine skins like those Abigail brought could hold approximately 5-7 gallons each, making her gift substantial.
The timing of Nabal’s death, ten days after his encounter with Abigail, corresponds to the traditional period of repentance in Jewish tradition.
The location of Maon and Carmel where this story takes place was strategically significant, being near important trade routes that David’s men likely helped protect.

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Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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