Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys Then Abigail hurriedThe Hebrew root for "hurried" is "מָהַר" (mahar), which conveys a sense of urgency and promptness. Abigail's quick action reflects her wisdom and discernment, recognizing the imminent danger posed by David's anger. Her haste is a testament to her proactive nature and her role as a peacemaker, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention in conflict resolution. and took two hundred loaves of bread
Bread, in ancient Israel, was a staple of daily life, symbolizing sustenance and hospitality. The large quantity indicates Abigail's wealth and her willingness to use her resources to avert disaster. This act of generosity aligns with the biblical principle of using one's blessings to serve others, highlighting the virtue of selflessness. two skins of wine
Wine, often associated with joy and celebration in the Bible, here serves a dual purpose: as a gift of goodwill and a means to soften David's heart. The use of "skins" for storage reflects the historical context of wine preservation in animal skins, a common practice in the ancient Near East. five dressed sheep
Sheep were valuable assets in agrarian societies, representing wealth and provision. By offering dressed sheep, Abigail not only provides a meal but also demonstrates respect and honor towards David. This gesture underscores the biblical theme of reconciliation through sacrificial giving. five seahs of roasted grain
A "seah" is a unit of measure, roughly equivalent to seven quarts or liters. Roasted grain was a nutritious and easily transportable food, often used in offerings. Abigail's inclusion of this item signifies her comprehensive approach to appeasing David, ensuring that all needs are met. a hundred cakes of raisins
Raisins, made from dried grapes, were a sweet delicacy and a source of energy. The abundance of raisin cakes reflects Abigail's thoughtfulness in providing not just necessities but also comforts, illustrating the biblical principle of going above and beyond in acts of kindness. and two hundred cakes of pressed figs
Pressed figs were another form of preserved fruit, valued for their sweetness and longevity. This offering highlights the cultural practice of using fruits as gifts, symbolizing prosperity and goodwill. Abigail's provision of figs complements her overall strategy of peace-making through generosity. and loaded them on donkeys
Donkeys were essential for transportation in ancient times, known for their endurance and reliability. By loading the provisions on donkeys, Abigail ensures the swift and efficient delivery of her peace offering. This practical step reflects her strategic planning and commitment to resolving the conflict. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbigailA wise and discerning woman, the wife of Nabal, who acts swiftly to prevent disaster. 2. NabalA wealthy but foolish man, whose name means "fool" in Hebrew, known for his harsh and surly behavior. 3. DavidThe future king of Israel, who is on the run from King Saul and has been protecting Nabal's shepherds. 4. CarmelThe location where Nabal's business and household are situated, and where Abigail prepares her offering. 5. The EventAbigail's quick and generous response to David's impending attack due to Nabal's insult, showcasing her wisdom and peacemaking skills. Teaching Points Wisdom in ActionAbigail's quick and thoughtful response demonstrates the importance of acting wisely and decisively in times of crisis. PeacemakingAbigail's intervention highlights the value of being a peacemaker, seeking to resolve conflicts and prevent violence. Generosity and ProvisionHer generous offering to David and his men shows the power of generosity in diffusing tension and building goodwill. Courage and InitiativeAbigail's courage to act independently and take initiative in a male-dominated society is a model of bravery and leadership. God's ProvidenceAbigail's actions are part of God's providential plan to protect David and ultimately lead to her becoming his wife, showing how God works through individuals to fulfill His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Abigail's response to the crisis with David and Nabal demonstrate wisdom and discernment, and how can we apply this in our own lives? 2. In what ways does Abigail's role as a peacemaker reflect the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, and how can we be peacemakers in our communities? 3. What can we learn from Abigail's generosity and resourcefulness, and how can these qualities impact our relationships and conflicts? 4. How does Abigail's courage to act independently challenge us to take initiative in difficult situations, especially when it involves standing up for what is right? 5. Reflect on a time when you saw God's providence at work in a challenging situation. How can recognizing God's hand in our lives encourage us to trust Him more fully? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 31Abigail's actions reflect the qualities of a virtuous woman, as described in Proverbs 31, who is resourceful, wise, and acts for the good of her household. Matthew 5:9Jesus' teaching on peacemakers being blessed can be seen in Abigail's role as a peacemaker between David and Nabal. James 1:19Abigail exemplifies being "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry," as she acts with discernment and urgency. Romans 12:18Abigail's efforts to live at peace with everyone align with Paul's exhortation to pursue peace as much as it depends on us. Proverbs 15:1Abigail's gentle and generous approach turns away David's wrath, illustrating the proverb about a gentle answer turning away wrath. People Abigail, Ahinoam, Caleb, David, Israelites, Jesse, Jezreel, Laish, Maon, Michal, Nabal, Palti, Paltiel, Phalti, Samuel, SaulPlaces Carmel, Gallim, Hebron, Maon, Paran, RamahTopics Abigail, Ab'igail, Already, Asses, Bottles, Bread, Bunches, Cakes, Clusters, Cooking, Corn, Donkeys, Dressed, Dry, Fig-cakes, Figs, Full, Grain, Grapes, Haste, Hasteth, Hundred, Hurried, Jugs, Laid, Loaded, Loaves, Lost, Measures, Parcels, Parched, Prepared, Pressed, Quickly, Raisin-cakes, Raisins, Ready, Roasted, Seahs, Setteth, Sheep, Skin-bottles, Skins, Taketh, WineDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 25:18 4404 food
4418 bread
4440 fig-tree
4456 grain
4684 sheep
5268 cooking
5616 measures, dry 1 Samuel 25:2-35 5745 women 1 Samuel 25:4-35 5325 gifts 1 Samuel 25:14-19 4458 grape 1 Samuel 25:14-20 4548 wineskin 1 Samuel 25:14-28 6206 offence 1 Samuel 25:14-31 8458 peacemakers 1 Samuel 25:14-35 5744 wife
5922 prudence 1 Samuel 25:18-20 4450 fruit 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 25:18 NIV1 Samuel 25:18 NLT1 Samuel 25:18 ESV1 Samuel 25:18 NASB1 Samuel 25:18 KJV
1 Samuel 25:18 Commentaries
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