1 SAMUEL CHAPTER 25 Samuel dieth: David goeth to the wilderness of
Paran, 1 SAMUEL 25:1. Nabal's riches, 1 SAMUEL 25:2. His and his wife
Abigail's nature and condition, 1 SAMUEL 25:3. David requesteth of
Nabal some relief for his camp: he entreateth David's messengers
scornfully. David is provoked,... [ Continue Reading ]
MAON; a place in or near to the wilderness of Paran. See 1 SAMUEL
23:24. CARMEL; not that Carmel in Issachar, of which see 1 SAMUEL
15:12 1 KINGS 18:19; but another in the tribe of Judah, near unto
Maon, as appears from JOSHUA 15:55.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is added to aggravate his crime, that he was a degenerate branch
of that noble stock of Caleb, and consequently of the tribe of Judah,
as David was.... [ Continue Reading ]
Which times were celebrated with feasting and jollity. See 2 SAMUEL
13:23,24.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT LIVETH IN PROSPERITY, Heb. to him that liveth. Life is oft
put for a prosperous and happy life, as in that prayer, _Let the king
live_, 1 SAMUEL 10:24 1 KINGS 1:25, and in other passages of
Scripture, and other authors; for an afflicted and calamitous life is
unworthy of the name of life... [ Continue Reading ]
Which, considering the licentiousness of soldiers, and the necessities
which David and his men were oft exposed to, was no small favour and
privilege, which Nabal was bound both ill justice, and gratitude, and
prudence to requite.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A GOOD DAY, i.e. in a day of feasting and rejoicing; when men are
most cheerful and liberal; when thou mayst relieve us out of thy
abundance without damage to thyself; when thou art receiving the
mercies of God, and therefore obliged to pity and relieve distressed
and indigent persons, DEUTERONOM... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS DAVID? what relation or obligation have I to David? THERE BE
MANY SERVANTS NOW A DAYS THAT BREAK AWAY; hereby he taxeth both David,
as one revolted from and risen up against Saul his lord and master;
and his soldiers as runagates from their masters and creditors, &c.
See 1 SAMUEL 22:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY WATER; he speaketh thus, either because in those hot and dry parts
water was scarce and precious; or _water_ is here put for any kind of
drink, as bread is oft taken for all sorts of meat.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIRD YE ON EVERY MAN HIS SWORD; having resolved and sworn to revenge
himself of Nabal, as is expressed, 1 SAMUEL 25:21,22. BY THE STUFF.
See 1 SAMUEL 17:22, 1 SAMUEL 30:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
One of the young men told Abigail; wisely considering the mischievous
effects likely to follow so churlish a message.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
A WALL, i.e. a defence against wild beasts, and robbers, and enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVIL IS DETERMINED AGAINST OUR MASTER; which it was easy to guess;
either from some threatening expressions which David's men used; or
from the consideration of David's great power, and that rage which so
high a provocation was likely to produce in military persons. A MAN
CANNOT SPEAK TO HIM, to wit... [ Continue Reading ]
ABIGAIL TOOK TWO HUNDRED LOAVES; which she did without his leave, and
against his mind, because it was a case of apparent necessity, for the
preservation of herself, and husband, and all the family from imminent
ruin. And surely that real and urgent necessity which dispenseth with
God's positive com... [ Continue Reading ]
I COME AFTER YOU; for she knew she could quickly over take them.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE COVERT OF THE HILL; in the lower part and under the shadow of
the hill, or of the trees that grew upon it; so that David did not see
her till she met him. David and his men came down, to wit, from
another opposite hill.... [ Continue Reading ]
David had said; either in his journey, or as soon as he heard that
reproachful answer. THIS FELLOW; whom he thought unworthy to be named,
for his barbarous ingratitude and churlishness.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THE ENEMIES OF DAVID, i. e. Unto David himself. But because it
might seem ominous and unnatural to curse himself, therefore by a
figure called _euphemismus_, instead of David, he mentions David's
enemies. See 1 SAMUEL 20:16. The words may be thus rendered: SO AND
MORE ALSO LET GOD DO FOR (the H... [ Continue Reading ]
Not only in token of deep reverence, but as a most humble supplicant,
as 2 KINGS 4:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON ME LET THIS INIQUITY BE; impute Nabal's sin to me, and, if thou
pleasest, punish it in me, who here offer myself as a sacrifice to thy
just indignation. This whole speech of Abigail is done with great
artifice; and she doth here, by an absolute submitting to mercy,
without any pretence of justi... [ Continue Reading ]
Let not my lord regard this man; his person and words deserve thy
contempt, but not thy regard. MAN OF BELIAL; for such he hath showed
himself to be by this wicked and abominable carriage towards thee.
FOLLY IS WITH HIM; his noted folly and stupidity is a more proper
object for thy pity than anger.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEING THE LORD HATH WITHHOLDEN THEE FROM COMING TO SHED BLOOD; seeing
God hath so ordered this business by his wise and wonderful
providence, that I should accidentally and unexpectedly come to the
knowledge of my husband's vile and sordid carriage; and that I should
come to meet thee, and find the... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS BLESSING; so a gift or present is called here, and GENESIS 33:11,
and elsewhere; not only because the matter of it comes from God's
blessing, but also because it is given with a blessing, or with a good
will. LET IT EVEN BE GIVEN UNTO THE YOUNG MEN, as being unworthy of
thine acceptance or use.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TRESPASS OF THINE HANDMAID, i.e. which I have taken upon myself, 1
SAMUEL 25:21, and which, if it be not pardoned, but punished, the
punishment will reach to me. WILL CERTAINLY MAKE MY LORD A SURE HOUSE,
i.e. will give the kingdom to thee, and to thy house for ever, as he
hath promised thee. And... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN, to wit, Saul, though no way injured nor justly provoked by
thee. TO SEEK THY SOUL, i. e. to take away thy life. In the bundle of
life, or, in the bundle, i.e. in the society or congregation of THE
LIVING; out of which men are taken and cut off by death. The phrase is
taken from the common usa... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOR OFFENCE OF HEART UNTO MY LORD; thy mind and conscience will be
free from all the torment which the guilt and shame of such an action
would cause in thee. By which, she cunningly insinuates what a blemish
this would be to his glory, what a disturbance to his peace and
felicity, if he proceeded to... [ Continue Reading ]
Which by his gracious and singular providence so disposed matters that
thou shouldst, come to rule. He rightly begins at the fountain of this
deliverance, which was God; and then proceeds to the instruments.... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED BE THY ADVICE, and blessed be thou, i.e. the Lord bless and
recompense thee for this thy good advice. FROM COMING TO SHED BLOOD,
which I had sworn to do. Hereby it plainly appears that oaths whereby
men bind themselves to any sin are null and void; and as it was a sin
to make them, so it is... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH KEPT ME BACK FROM HURTING THEE; not that he intended to kill her,
but the males only; as was noted in 1 SAMUEL 25:22. But their
destruction was a dreadful affliction and damage to her.... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. Showed my acceptance of thy person, by my grant of thy request:
see GENESIS 19:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE THE FEAST OF A KING; as the manner was upon those solemn
occasions. Sordid covetousness and vain prodigality were met together
in him. SHE TOLD HIM NOTHING; he being then incapable of admonition,
his reason and conscience being both asleep.... [ Continue Reading ]
He was oppressed with grief, and fainted away through the fear and
horror of so great a mischief, though it was past. As one who, having
in the night galloped over a narrow plank, laid upon a broken bridge,
over a deep river, when in the morning he came to review it, was
struck dead with. the horror... [ Continue Reading ]
God either inflicted some other stroke or disease upon him, or
increased his grief and fear to such a height as killed him.... [ Continue Reading ]
How could David rejoice at the death of his enemy? ANSW. Although it
may be said that he rejoiced not in Nabal's death as such, but only in
the declaration of God's justice in punishing so great a wickedness;
which was an honour to God, and a document, and therefore a benefit to
mankind, and so a pu... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
She showed this reverence, and spake thus to them, as representing
David's person.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE WENT AFTER THE MESSENGERS; not immediately, but some convenient
time after they were gone. She considered not David's present straits
and penury, which site thought her plentiful estate might supply; nor
his danger from Saul; but by a true and strong faith rested upon God's
promise made to David... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT, or _for_, as the Hebrew _vau_ is ofttimes used. For this seems to
be added as a reason why David took other wives, because Saul had
given his former wife to another man, that he might as far as he could
extinguish all relation and kindred to him, whom he hated; and withal,
cut off his hopes and... [ Continue Reading ]