1 Samuel 25:38

And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(38) The Lord smote Nabal.—That is to say, that after ten days had passed the Lord put an end to the base life by a second apoplectic stroke. Although the death was a sequel to the selfishness, the passion, and the intemperance, it does not appear that anything more than the operation of natural causes occasioned the end here. In the language of these old divinely inspired writers, disease and sickness are often spoken of as the special “shafts” aimed by the Most High, as in fact they are.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

25:32-39 David gives God thanks for sending him this happy check in a sinful way. Whoever meet us with counsel, direction, comfort, caution, or seasonable reproof, we must see God sending them. We ought to be very thankful for those happy providences which are the means of keeping us from sinning. Most people think it enough, if they take reproof patiently; but few will take it thankfully, and commend those who give it, and accept it as a favour. The nearer we are to committing sin, the greater is the mercy of a seasonable restraint. Sinners are often most secure when most in danger. He was very drunk. A sign he was Nabal, a fool, that could not use plenty without abusing it; who could not be pleasant with his friends without making a beast of himself. There is not a surer sign that a man has but little wisdom, nor a surer way to destroy the little he has, than drinking to excess. Next morning, how he is changed! His heart overnight merry with wine, next morning heavy as a stone; so deceitful are carnal pleasures, so soon passes the laughter of the fool; the end of that mirth is heaviness. Drunkards are sad, when they reflect upon their own folly. About ten days after, the Lord smote Nabal, that he died. David blessed God that he had been kept from killing Nabal. Worldly sorrow, mortified pride, and an affrighted conscience, sometimes end the joys of the sensualist, and separate the covetous man from his wealth; but, whatever the weapon, the Lord smites men with death when it pleases him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

He became as a stone - Probably his violent anger at hearing it brought on a fit of apoplexy to which he was disposed by the drunken revel of the night before. After lying senseless for ten days he died.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

37, 38. in the morning … his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him—He probably fainted from horror at the perilous situation in which he had unconsciously placed himself; and such a shock had been given him by the fright to his whole system, that he rapidly pined and died.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

God either inflicted some other stroke or disease upon him, or increased his grief and fear to such a height as killed him.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And it came to pass, about ten days after,.... After he had lain in this stupid and senseless manner for ten days:

that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died; with some disease or increased the grief of his heart, and the fears of his mind that he died therewith.

Geneva Study Bible

And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

38. the Lord smote Nabal] His death was a divine judgment none the less that a partly natural cause may be assigned for it in his intemperance and passion. For “smote” comp. the use of the same word in ch. 1 Samuel 26:10, and 2 Chronicles 13:20 (E. V. struck).

1 Samuel 25:38

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

About ten days later the Lord smote him so that he died, i.e., the Lord put an end to his life by a second stroke.