Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 25:21

Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this [fellow] hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that [pertained] unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

21. Surely in vain ] Only to be deceived and disappointed. The same word is used in Jer 3:23.

pertained ] i.e. belonged. “Pertain” is derived from Lat. pertineo, through O. Fr. partenir. Cp. “appertain” from appartenir.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

In vain – i. e., under false expectation.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

David had said; either in his journey, or as soon as he heard that reproachful answer.

This fellow; whom he thought unworthy to be named, for his barbarous ingratitude and churlishness.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

Now David had said,…. When the messengers returned and told him how they had been used by Nabal; or he “said” c, or was saying within himself, or to his men, what follows, just as Abigail met him:

surely in vain have I kept all that this [fellow] hath in the wilderness; which shows that lie was in a violent passion, and had Nabal in the utmost contempt and indignation, in that he mentions not his name, only says “this”, this man or follow; leaving a blank to be filled up with the most ignominious name and character that could be thought of; and repents that he had taken so much care of his flocks when they were feeding by him in the wilderness:

so that nothing was missed of all that [pertained] unto him; and seems to have wished he had suffered his flocks to have been robbed by the Arabs, or worried by wild beasts, since he had been such an ungrateful wretch to him:

and he hath requited me evil for good; he had requited evil to him by denying to send him any of his provisions, and by abusing him and his men with opprobrious language; and this was done in return for the good deeds he had done in protecting his servants and his flocks in the wilderness, and for the good words and respectful message he had sent unto him.

c “ait”, V. L. “dixit”, Pagninus, Montanus; “dicebat”, Vatablus.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(21) Now David had said.This verse and the following (22nd) must be understood as a kind of parenthesis in the narrative. They express what David felt, and, as it were, his justification in his own mind for the violent and vengeful act he was about to carry out. The argument was, Nabal had returned indeed evil for good. For a long time Davids band had guarded faithfully his vast scattered flocks, and had preserved them safely, and now, when he asked a small favour in return, the churl repaid him by throwing in his teeth the taunt that he was a rebel and a runaway slave.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

1Sa 25:21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this [fellow] hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that [pertained] unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

Ver. 21. Now David had said, ] viz., Either before he set forth, or else whilst he was upon the way: and so, haply, Abigail might overhear him, and thereupon fall down at his feet and say, “Upon me, upon me be this iniquity,” &c. 1Sa 25:24

And he hath requited me evil for good. ] This is gross ingratitude, and doth mainly provoke. Such was that of Michael Balbus to Leo Armenius, the emperor, of Parry to Queen Elizabeth, of Bonner to Bishop Ridley, &c.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Surely: 1Sa 25:13, Job 30:8, Psa 37:8, Eph 4:26, Eph 4:31, 1Th 5:15, 1Pe 2:21-23, 1Pe 3:9

he hath requited: Gen 44:4, Psa 35:12, Psa 38:20, Psa 109:3-5, Pro 17:13, Jer 18:20, Rom 12:21, 1Pe 2:20, 1Pe 3:17

Reciprocal: 1Sa 25:7 – we hurt 1Sa 25:15 – very good 2Sa 12:5 – David’s 2Ch 18:26 – this fellow Pro 15:1 – soft Ecc 7:9 – hasty Mat 15:9 – in 1Co 13:4 – vaunteth not itself

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1Sa 25:21. Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath Though David justly thought he had no right to take any part of the flock of Nabal by way of plunder; yet, when he and his men had taken the trouble of defending them for some time from all damage, which, probably, they otherwise could not have escaped, he concluded, with much reason, that he and his men, when reduced to necessity, had cause to expect something by way of gratuity from Nabal, for the services they had done him.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments