Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light." OtherwiseThis word serves as a pivotal transition, indicating a conditional statement. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "כִּי" (ki), which often introduces a reason or explanation. Here, it sets the stage for understanding the gravity of the situation and the divine intervention that prevented bloodshed. It underscores the importance of Abigail's timely intervention and the potential consequences had she not acted. as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives
This phrase is a solemn oath, invoking the living God as a witness to the truth of the statement. The Hebrew name for God here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness. This oath reflects David's deep reverence for God and his acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over the events of his life. It also highlights the cultural and religious practice of swearing by God's name to affirm the truthfulness of one's words. who has restrained me from harming you
The Hebrew root for "restrained" is "עָצַר" (atsar), meaning to hold back or prevent. This indicates divine intervention, suggesting that God actively prevented David from committing an act of vengeance. It reflects the biblical theme of God's providence and His ability to guide human actions according to His will. This restraint is a testament to God's mercy and His desire for justice rather than retribution. if you had not come quickly to meet me
The urgency in Abigail's actions is emphasized here. The phrase "come quickly" highlights her wisdom and discernment in acting promptly to avert disaster. In the cultural context, swift action was often necessary to prevent escalating conflicts. Abigail's initiative is portrayed as a model of peacemaking and courage, qualities that are highly valued in biblical narratives. surely not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light
This phrase underscores the severity of the impending judgment that David intended to carry out. The expression "not one male" is a translation of the Hebrew idiom "אִישׁ לֹא יִשָּׁאֵר" (ish lo yishar), which literally means "not a man would remain." It reflects the customary practice of total destruction in warfare, often seen as a form of divine judgment. The mention of "morning light" signifies the completeness and inevitability of the intended action, had it not been for divine intervention through Abigail's wise and timely actions. This serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked anger and the importance of seeking God's guidance in all decisions. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe future king of Israel, who is on the run from King Saul. In this chapter, he is angered by Nabal's refusal to provide provisions for his men. 2. AbigailThe intelligent and discerning wife of Nabal, who intervenes to prevent David from taking vengeance on her household. 3. NabalA wealthy but foolish man whose name means "fool." He disrespects David, leading to the conflict. 4. CarmelThe region where Nabal's property is located and where the events of this chapter take place. 5. The LORD, the God of IsraelThe divine being who David acknowledges as having restrained him from committing bloodshed. Teaching Points Divine RestraintRecognize God's hand in preventing us from making rash decisions. Just as God restrained David, He can guide us away from sin if we are attentive to His leading. The Power of IntercessionAbigail's intervention is a powerful example of how one person's wisdom and courage can prevent disaster. We should be willing to step in and mediate conflicts with grace and wisdom. Responding to InsultsDavid's initial reaction to Nabal's insult was anger and a desire for revenge. However, through Abigail's intervention, he learns to respond with restraint. We should seek to respond to insults with patience and wisdom. The Role of Women in ScriptureAbigail's role in this account highlights the significant impact women can have in God's plans. Her wisdom and courage are commendable and serve as a model for both men and women. Acknowledging God's SovereigntyDavid's acknowledgment of God's restraint reminds us to see God's sovereignty in our lives, trusting that He is in control even when we are tempted to take matters into our own hands. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's acknowledgment of God's restraint in 1 Samuel 25:34 challenge us to recognize divine intervention in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we emulate Abigail's wisdom and courage in our daily interactions, especially when faced with potential conflict? 3. How does the account of David and Nabal illustrate the biblical principle of leaving vengeance to God, as seen in Romans 12:19? 4. What can we learn from Abigail's approach to conflict resolution that aligns with the wisdom found in Proverbs 15:1? 5. How does this passage encourage us to see the role of women in God's plans, and how can we apply this understanding in our church communities today? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 20The account of Abimelech, where God restrains him from sinning against Abraham and Sarah, showing God's intervention in human actions. Proverbs 15:1This verse speaks to the power of a gentle answer to turn away wrath, much like Abigail's wise and humble approach to David. Romans 12:19Paul advises believers to leave vengeance to God, echoing the restraint David shows in this passage. People Abigail, Ahinoam, Caleb, David, Israelites, Jesse, Jezreel, Laish, Maon, Michal, Nabal, Palti, Paltiel, Phalti, Samuel, SaulPlaces Carmel, Gallim, Hebron, Maon, Paran, RamahTopics Alive, Belonging, Dawn, Daybreak, Deed, Evil, Except, Hadst, Harming, Haste, Hasted, Hurried, Hurting, Indeed, Kept, Male, Man-child, Meet, Meeting, Morning, Nabal, Nabal's, Nevertheless, Pisseth, Quick, Quickly, Restrained, Sitting, Surely, Till, Truly, Unless, Urinates, Wall, Withheld, Withholden, Wouldn't, YetDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 25:2-35 5745 women 1 Samuel 25:4-35 5325 gifts 1 Samuel 25:14-35 5744 wife
5922 prudence 1 Samuel 25:30-34 5033 knowledge, of good and evil 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 25:34 NIV1 Samuel 25:34 NLT1 Samuel 25:34 ESV1 Samuel 25:34 NASB1 Samuel 25:34 KJV
1 Samuel 25:34 Commentaries
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