About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead. About ten days laterThis phrase marks a significant period of divine patience and judgment. In the Hebrew context, the number ten often symbolizes completeness or divine order. The ten days could represent a period of grace given by God for repentance, reflecting His longsuffering nature. Historically, this timeframe allowed for the unfolding of God's justice in a manner that was unmistakably His doing, rather than a mere coincidence. the LORD
The use of "the LORD" here is a translation of the Hebrew name Yahweh, the covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and faithfulness. This name is a reminder of God's personal relationship with His people and His ultimate authority over life and death. In the context of 1 Samuel 25, it underscores that the events are under divine control, not merely human actions. struck Nabal
The verb "struck" in Hebrew is "נָגַף" (nagaph), which can mean to smite or to inflict a plague. This indicates a direct and decisive action from God, highlighting His power to execute judgment. Nabal's fate serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of foolishness and arrogance against God's anointed, as Nabal had insulted David, the future king. and he died
The finality of this phrase underscores the seriousness of divine judgment. Nabal's death is not just a natural occurrence but a divine act of justice. In the broader biblical narrative, this serves as a warning against opposing God's plans and an encouragement to trust in His timing and righteousness. It also foreshadows the eventual establishment of David's kingship, aligning with God's covenant promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. NabalA wealthy but foolish man whose name means "fool" in Hebrew. He was harsh and evil in his dealings, particularly with David, who had protected his shepherds and flocks. 2. DavidThe future king of Israel, who had been anointed by Samuel. At this time, he was leading a group of men and living in the wilderness, fleeing from King Saul. 3. AbigailNabal's wise and discerning wife, who intervened to prevent David from taking vengeance on Nabal and his household. 4. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, who intervenes in the affairs of men, executing justice and judgment. 5. CarmelThe region where Nabal's estate was located, and where the events of this chapter took place. Teaching Points God's Justice is SureNabal's death serves as a reminder that God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is inevitable. We can trust God to deal with wrongdoers in His perfect timing. The Importance of Wisdom and DiscernmentAbigail's wise intervention contrasts sharply with Nabal's foolishness. Her actions saved her household and demonstrate the value of wisdom in crisis situations. Leave Vengeance to the LordDavid's decision to refrain from taking vengeance into his own hands is a powerful example of faith and obedience. We are called to trust God to right wrongs rather than seeking personal retribution. The Consequences of FoolishnessNabal's account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of living foolishly and arrogantly. It encourages us to seek wisdom and humility in our dealings with others. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Nabal and David illustrate the principle of leaving vengeance to God, and how can we apply this in our own lives? 2. In what ways does Abigail's intervention demonstrate the power of wisdom and discernment? How can we cultivate these qualities in our daily interactions? 3. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced God's justice. How did it strengthen your faith in His sovereignty? 4. How does the fate of Nabal serve as a warning against foolishness and arrogance? What steps can we take to avoid similar pitfalls? 5. Consider the role of divine timing in this account. How can we learn to trust God's timing in dealing with injustices we face? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 10:27This verse speaks to the consequences of wickedness and the longevity of the righteous, highlighting the fate of those who live foolishly like Nabal. Romans 12:19This New Testament passage echoes the principle of leaving vengeance to God, as demonstrated by David's restraint and God's subsequent judgment on Nabal. Psalm 37:28This verse assures that the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints, aligning with how God dealt with Nabal and protected David. People Abigail, Ahinoam, Caleb, David, Israelites, Jesse, Jezreel, Laish, Maon, Michal, Nabal, Palti, Paltiel, Phalti, Samuel, SaulPlaces Carmel, Gallim, Hebron, Maon, Paran, RamahTopics Death, Died, Dieth, Disease, Later, Nabal, Pass, Smiteth, Smote, Struck, TenDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 25:38 1653 numbers, 6-10
7346 death penalty
9021 death, natural 1 Samuel 25:36-38 5965 temperament 1 Samuel 25:38-39 9210 judgment, God's Library If Then to Sin, that Others May not Commit a Worse Sin...
21. If then to sin, that others may not commit a worse sin, either against us or against any, without doubt we ought not; it is to be considered in that which Lot did, whether it be an example which we ought to imitate, or rather one which we ought to avoid. For it seems meet to be more looked into and noted, that, when so horrible an evil from the most flagitious impiety of the Sodomites was impending over his guests, which he wished to ward off and was not able, to such a degree may even that just …
St. Augustine—Against LyingJeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation. …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII How the Meek and the Passionate are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 17.) Differently to be admonished are the meek and the passionate. For sometimes the meek, when they are in authority, suffer from the torpor of sloth, which is a kindred disposition, and as it were placed hard by. And for the most part from the laxity of too great gentleness they soften the force of strictness beyond need. But on the other hand the passionate, in that they are swept on into frenzy of mind by the impulse of anger, break up the calm of quietness, and so throw into …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and the New Testament
THE Parables of the Ten Virgins' and of the Unfaithful Servant' close with a Discourse on the Last Things,' the final Judgment, and the fate of those Christ's Righ Hand and at His Left (St. Matt. xxv. 31-46). This final Judgment by our Lord forms a fundamental article in the Creed of the Church. It is the Christ Who comes, accompanied by the Angelic Host, and sits down on the throne of His Glory, when all nations are gathered before Him. Then the final separation is made, and joy or sorrow awarded …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Letters of St. Bernard
I To Malachy. 1141.[924] (Epistle 341.) To the venerable lord and most blessed father, Malachy, by the grace of God archbishop of the Irish, legate of the Apostolic See, Brother Bernard called to be abbot of Clairvaux, [desiring] to find grace with the Lord. 1. Amid the manifold anxieties and cares of my heart,[925] by the multitude of which my soul is sore vexed,[926] the brothers coming from a far country[927] that they may serve the Lord,[928] thy letter, and thy staff, they comfort …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Exile Continued.
"So David fled, and escaped and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done unto him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth" (1 Sam. xix. 18)--or, as the word probably means, in the collection of students' dwellings, inhabited by the sons of the prophets, where possibly there may have been some kind of right of sanctuary. Driven thence by Saul's following him, and having had one last sorrowful hour of Jonathan's companionship--the last but one on earth--he fled to Nob, whither …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 25:38 NIV1 Samuel 25:38 NLT1 Samuel 25:38 ESV1 Samuel 25:38 NASB1 Samuel 25:38 KJV
1 Samuel 25:38 Commentaries
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