1 Samuel 25 - Printer Friendly

What does 1 Samuel 25 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

David (1 Samuel 16:11–13) will one day be king (1 Samuel 24:20–22), and the current king, Saul, doesn't like it. So far, David has fled at least two spear attacks (1 Samuel 18:11; 19:9–10), one potential battle in a city, and two potential battles in the wilderness (1 Samuel 23—24). Each time, either God helped David escape, or David chose not to fight God's anointed. But when a rich fool insults David's honor, David isn't so circumspect.

This chapter begins with the death of the prophet Samuel, for whom the book is named. Samuel, the last of Israel's judges, anointed both the first two kings of Israel at the direction of the Lord (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:13). He dies while the first, Saul, is trying to kill the second, David (1 Samuel 25:1).

As 1 Samuel 25 opens, Saul and David have a temporary truce (1 Samuel 24:17–22). David and his men have been protecting shepherds in Carmel. The shepherds work for a rich but foolish man named Nabal. David sends messengers to respectfully ask for food in exchange for their service. Nabal refuses and goes so far as to claim David is Saul's runaway slave. When David hears Nabal's response, he prepares 400 of his 600 men to go down and destroy Nabal and his entire camp (1 Samuel 24:35). This contrasts with David's overwhelming tolerance for Saul, a man who has actively tried to kill him. But while Saul was placed on his throne by God, Nabal is just a rude, cruel businessman (1 Samuel 25:2–13).

Knowing what's coming, one of Nabal's servants tells his wife, Abigail. The servant explains that David's protection was perfect. It was certainly worth some food in return. Nabal has not only cruelly refused, but he has stupidly responded with insults (Proverbs 18:6). The servant has come to Abigal because it's pointless to try to explain it to a worthless man like Nabal (1 Samuel 25:14–17).

Abigail is not stupid. She realizes that offending a famous warrior (1 Samuel 18:7) for his kindness is suicidal. Her suspicions are true: David's attack party is getting closer. David grumbles about his mistreatment and plans to kill every male in Nabal's company. Abigail loads a massive amount of food on donkeys and tells a servant to take it to David while she follows. She doesn't tell Nabal (1 Samuel 25:18–22).

When Abigail arrives, she falls to the ground in front of David. In typical ancient fashion, she takes responsibility for Nabal's dishonor. Yet she also admits her husband is worthless and foolish. She implies that if she had been there when David's men made their request, she might have convinced Nabal to make a better choice. She doesn't stop there. Abigail takes the bold step of giving David advice. She knows David will be king. Her arrival is God protecting and blessing him. It would be terrible for David to take the throne carrying guilt for the blood of Nabal's innocent servants, not to mention their foolish master. David shouldn't begin his reign with such a reputation (1 Samuel 25:23–31).

To his credit, David responds to her wise words (Proverbs 12:15). David praises God for sending Abigail and blesses her for stopping him from taking revenge. He sends her back home in peace, knowing she has averted a great tragedy (1 Samuel 25:32–35).

When Abigail returns home, Nabal is drunk. The next morning, she tells him how close David came to killing him and all his servants. He appears to have a heart attack or a stroke. Whether this is from anger, fear, or his unrestrained lifestyle, Nabal's reaction is severe. He may have lapsed into some sort of coma. One way or another, by God's hand, he dies ten days later (1 Samuel 25:36–38).

David hears about these events and praises the Lord once again. David was convinced to leave vengeance to God, and this was the right choice. Further, this means Abigail is no longer married. Saul had apparently given David's wife Michal to someone else. So, David marries the beautiful, intelligent Abigail. Then, for reasons not stated, he also takes a second wife, Ahinoam. God warned about polygamy in kings (Deuteronomy 17:17). Yet David is already showing signs of a weakness (2 Samuel 11:2–4) that will later cause immense suffering (1 Samuel 25:39–44).

Before long, King Saul will forget his truce with David and chase after him again. While Saul and his army sleep, David and Abishai will infiltrate to the heart of the camp. Once again, David will refuse to kill the king. But he will steal Saul's spear and water jar. Once David is out of reach, he will call out and explain what he's done. Saul will once again be chastened (1 Samuel 24:10–11, 18) and beg David's forgiveness (1 Samuel 26). This will be the last time Saul tries to kill David. From this point until his death, Saul will be too busy fighting Philistines.

First Samuel 25:1 briefly and simply records the death of Samuel, the last judge and first of the kingdom-era prophets. Samuel's mother, Hannah, had dedicated him to God's service. Samuel's first duty was to tell the chief priest he and his sons would die (1 Samuel 3). When the Israelites demanded a king, Samuel felt the rejection of his service (1 Samuel 8). He anointed Saul as king, then watched Saul's poor choices earn God's rejection. He anointed David, then watched as Saul tried to kill his rival (1 Samuel 10—24). Though he passes away, Samuel will appear again in this story, when Saul commissions a medium to ask for his counsel one last time (1 Samuel 28).

First Samuel 25:2–8 describes David's attempt to feed his men by appealing to the shepherds they have been protecting. David and his men are enjoying temporary peace with Saul and guarding herdsmen and flocks near Carmel. The owner is the foolish Nabal, but Nabal's wife Abigail is wise and beautiful. David asks for food for his men: a token of appreciation for their service. Nabal refuses and insults David. Only Abigail's quick actions will keep David from killing them all (1 Samuel 25:9–35).

First Samuel 25:9–13 proves that Nabal deserves his name, which means "fool." David's men have been protecting Nabal's shepherds, who haven't lost a single lamb. But when David requests a bit of gratitude (1 Samuel 25:2–8), Nabal sneers and calls David a runaway slave. David is furious. He takes 400 armed men to kill Nabal and all his male servants. Fortunately, Nabal's wise wife, Abigail, will intercept David with both food and wise counsel (1 Samuel 25:14–35).

First Samuel 25:14–22 records Abigail's plan. A servant warns her that David's men have protected her husband's shepherds well. But Nabal, her foolish spouse, refuses to reward them and speaks with insults. Both the servant and Abigail suspect David will respond to this dishonor immediately and with violence. She orders servants to take a feast to David while she rides behind. Meanwhile, David and 400 men get closer, determined to kill every male on the estate. When they meet, David accepts Abigail's gift and her humble rebuke, and Nabal and the servants are saved (1 Samuel 25:23–35).

First Samuel 25:23–31 describes a wise appeal which averts bloodshed. David is on his way to kill Abigail's foolish husband, Nabal, and all their male servants because Nabal insulted David. But Abigail meets David with the reward his men deserve as well as sensible advice (1 Samuel 25:9–22). The servants are innocent, and Nabal isn't worth the effort. David mustn't take the throne carrying the shame of their murders. David will bless God and Abigail for saving him from such a sin and leave Abigail in peace. God will strike Nabal dead. In thanks, David will ask Abigail to marry him (1 Samuel 25:32–42).

First Samuel 25:32–38 shows the right way to respond to good advice. David listens to Abigail, the wife of a foolish husband who severely dishonored David. In return, David vowed to kill every male on the estate. Abigail quickly sent David a feast and gently rebuked him: he must not become king with innocent blood on his hands (1 Samuel 25:2–31). David praises her and God for stopping him. He takes his men and leaves. Abigail tells Nabal, who suffers a debilitating reaction and is struck dead by God ten days later. When David's men return, they will ask Abigail to marry the future king (1 Samuel 25:39–42).

First Samuel 25:39–42 summarizes how Abigail marries David. David had been marching to take revenge on Nabal, Abigail's foolish husband. Abigail stopped David, reminding him he should not have the blood of the innocent servants on his hands when he becomes king. Days later, God struck Nabal dead (1 Samuel 25:2–38). David praises God for avenging him and preventing him from making a bloody mistake. David sends servants to bring Abigail to be his wife.

First Samuel 25:43–44 gives an update on David's wives. David first married Saul's daughter Michal. After David escaped Saul, Saul married her off to someone else. When David is king, he'll take her back (1 Samuel 18:27; 19:11–17; 2 Samuel 3:15–17). David married Abigail after her husband dies (1 Samuel 25:39–42). For unknown reasons, he almost immediately takes a second wife, Ahinoam. God had warned kings not to take "many" wives since their primary loyalty must be to God (Deuteronomy 17:17). Eventually, David will take further wives (2 Samuel 11) and concubines (2 Samuel 16:22), leading to tragedy.

Chapter Summary:

David learns to give grace to people other than King Saul. Samuel dies, and Saul temporarily leaves David alone. David and his men protect the shepherds of the foolish Nabal. When Nabal refuses to reward David, David vows revenge on him and all his male servants. Nabal's wife, Abigail, rushes to David with food and a warning that David shouldn't carry the shame of killing Nabal and the servants when he becomes king. David listens, Nabal dies, and David marries Abigail. Soon the truce will end, and David will meet Saul one last time (1 Samuel 26).

Chapter Context:

David spared Saul's life, and the grateful king gives David some peace (1 Samuel 24). God has protected David numerous times from having to fight Saul. When a wealthy fool insults David, only the fool's wife, Abigail, keeps David from destroying the entire estate. Once again, God has kept David from needless bloodshed. Saul will later break the truce, but David still refuses to kill his enemy (1 Samuel 26). When David is ready to battle Saul, God prevents it (1 Samuel 29).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

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