Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 25:39
And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
39 44. David’s marriage with Abigail
39. pleaded the cause, &c.] Exacted from Nabal a due penalty for the injury he did me. Cp. 1Sa 24:15. In those days godly men looked for visible judgments upon the wicked in this world, and rejoiced in them as a vindication of God’s righteous government.
hath kept his servant from evil, &c.] The E. V. misses the striking contrast between David and Nabal. Render, hath restrained his servant from wickedness, but the wickedness of Nabal hath Jehovah returned upon his own head.
Verse 39. To take her to him to wife.] It is likely that he had heard before this that Saul, to cut off all his pretensions to the throne, had married Michal to Phalti; and this justified David in taking Abigail or any other woman; and, according to the then custom, it was not unlawful for David to take several wives. By his marriage with Abigail, it is probable he became possessed of all Nabal’s property in Carmel and Maon. How could David rejoice at the death of his enemy? Answ. Although it may be said that he rejoiced not in Nabals death as such, but only in the declaration of Gods justice in punishing so great a wickedness; which was an honour to God, and a document, and therefore a benefit to mankind, and so a public good, and cause of joy; yet the matter is not weighty, if we confess that this was another instance of human infirmity in David, and that it is not proposed for our imitation, but for our caution. Yet it may be further said, that this was not purely an act of private revenge, because David was a public person, and anointed king; and therefore Nabals reproach cast upon David above, 1Sa 25:10,11, was a contempt of God, and of his ordinance and appointment; which was vindicated by this remarkable judgment. Hath kept his servant from evil, i.e. from the sin of bloodshed and self-revenge, 1Sa 25:33. David sent, to wit, messengers; which he thought fitter than to go himself; partly because if he had met with a repulse, it had been less ignominious; and partly because he would leave her to her freedom and choice, and would not so much as seem to take her by violence. But this doubtless was not done immediately after Nabals death, but in some convenient space of time after it; though such circumstances be commonly omitted in the sacred history, which gives only the threads and most important passages of things. 39-42. the Lord hath returned thewickedness of Nabal upon his own headIf this was an expressionof pleasure, and David’s vindictive feelings were gratified by theintelligence of Nabal’s death, it was an instance of human infirmitywhich we may lament; but perhaps he referred to the unmeritedreproach (1Sa 25:10; 1Sa 25:11),and the contempt of God implied in it. David sent and communed withAbigail, to take her to wifeThis unceremonious proceeding wasquite in the style of Eastern monarchs, who no sooner take a fancyfor a lady than they despatch a messenger to intimate their royalwishes that she should henceforth reside in the palace; and her dutyis implicitly to obey. David’s conduct shows that the manners of theEastern nations were already imitated by the great men in Israel; andthat the morality of the times which God permitted, gave its sanctionto the practice of polygamy. His marriage with Abigail brought him arich estate. And when David heard that Nabal was dead,…. As he soon might, Maon and Carmel not being far from the wilderness where David was:
he said, blessed [be] the Lord, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal; not that he rejoiced at the death of Nabal, simply considered, or from a private spirit of revenge; but because of the glory of divine justice, which he had shown to him in vindicating him from the reproach Nabal had cast upon him, and particularly was thankful for what follows;
and hath kept his servant from evil; from slaying Nabal with his own hand, and doing hurt to his family:
for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head; and upon no other, none of his family suffered but himself, and which was another cause of thankfulness to David; had he been suffered to have done as he in his wrath determined, not only Nabal, but all the males in his house, had been cut off; but now, through the righteous judgment of God, only Nabal suffered, and not any of his family:
and David sent and communed with Abigail; by his messengers to her; or “concerning” her h, about marrying her:
to take her to him to wife; for being both a beautiful and wise woman, he thought her a proper person to be his wife; which she might lawfully become, Nabal being dead, and Michal, David’s wife, being taken from him, and given to another man, with whom she lived in adultery; or as divorced by David, as the Jews say, David by the law of God was free from her. These messengers were sent by David at a convenient time, at a proper distance from the death of Nabal; and he chose rather to send messengers than to go himself, lest being denied he should be put to shame, she being a rich widow, and he a poor persecuted man, and that her answer might be entirely free and unawed by him, and that it might appear that she was not taken to him by force; and besides, such a method has been always reckoned most honourable with great personages.
h , Sept. “de Abigail”, Vatabulus.
Davids Wives. 1Sa. 25:39-44
39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the Lord that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
40 And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife. 42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife, 17.
Was Davids marriage to Abigail an honorable one? 1Sa. 25:39
From the beginning it was not Gods intention that man should have more than one wife. The Law was given at a time when men were practicing polygamy, and God did not reveal the full Christian standard at that time. He did give legislation to regulate polygamy, and this led men to the place where they could receive Christs full revelation. In the light of the dispensation it was perfectly permissible for David to marry Abigail. Her husband was dead, and she was free from her obligations to him. Abigail was a very wise woman, viewing herself as unworthy of the love of David (1Sa. 25:41).
18.
What kind of woman was Abigail? 1Sa. 25:42
Abigail was an honorable person and made a good wife for David. She was the mother of Chileab, Davids son, of whom little is known (2Sa. 3:3). Her conduct showed her to be discrete in that she did not reveal her actions to her husband when he could have stopped her. She was humble (1Sa. 25:23), generous (v, 27), god-fearing (1Sa. 25:29), knowledgeable (1Sa. 25:30), and affluent (1Sa. 25:42).
19.
Who was Davids other wife? 1Sa. 25:43
Davids other wife was Ahinoam (1Sa. 25:43). Ahinoam is introduced only as the Jezreelitess. Jezreel must have been a town in the mountains of Judah (Jos. 15:56), and not the city of that same name in the tribe of Issachar (Jos. 19:18). The place in Issachar is so far north that it would seem improbable that David would have been in that area.
20.
What had happened to Michal? 1Sa. 25:44
Michal was Davids first wife. She had lied about his threat to her when David fled from their home as Saul came to kill him. Saul had then given Michal to Phalti, the son of Laish of Gallim. Phalti is called Paltiel in 2Sa. 3:15. Gallim was a place between Gibeah of Saul and Jerusalem. David later persuaded Ish-bosheth and Abner to bring Michal back to him (2Sa. 3:14).
39. My reproach The disgrace and contempt David received from Nabal.
David sent to take her to wife How soon after Nabal’s death is not said, but probably not long. She doubtless mourned, according to custom, a set time for her husband, (comp. 2Sa 11:26,) but the haste with which, seemingly, David consummated his marriage with her as ill agrees with our notions of propriety as does his polygamy with our Christian law of marriage.
David, Having Lost His Wife Through Saul’s Conniving, Receives Two Wives in Her Place (25:39c-44).
Once David had fled from Saul he became an outlaw. Thus Saul considered that his marriage to Michal was consequently at an end, and gave Michal to someone else. But we learn that YHWH then adequately compensated him by giving him instead two wives, first Ahinoam, a Jezreelite, and now Abigail the Wise and Beautiful.
Analysis.
a b And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you, to take you to him to wife” (1Sa 25:40).
c And she arose, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, “Look, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord” (1Sa 25:41).
b And Abigail hurried herself, and arose, and rode on an ass, with five damsels of hers who followed her, and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife (1Sa 25:42).
a David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel, and they became both of them his wives. And Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim’ (1Sa 25:43-44).
Note that in ‘a’ David decided to take Abigail to be his wife, and in the parallel took Ahinoam to be his wife, having lost Michal. In ‘b’ David sent his servants for Abigail, and in the parallel Abigail hastened to go with them to be his wife. Centrally in ‘c’ Abigail accepted David’s proposal.
1Sa 25:39 c ( e-Sword Note: For commentary on “a” and “b” of verse 39, read the end of the commentary on 1Sa 25:38.)
‘And David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
David had clearly been impressed by Abigail, and once he had learned that she was now free he decided to take her as his wife, in addition to Ahinoam from Jezreel whom he had previously married. By this means he would probably gain control of great wealth and provision through Abigail which would provide resources for his men, unless of course Nabal had an adult son. But in that case the lands would probably be confiscated by Saul once he learned of the situation.
There must, however, have been a decent interval between Nabal’s death and this final incident for custom would have demanded that Abigail mourn for Nabal for a reasonable period (compare Gen 50:1; Num 20:29, and those were just the periods of official mourning. A further discreet period would also probably be expected).
1Sa 25:40
‘ And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you, to take you to him to wife.”
So he sent his servants to Abigail to explain that David wanted her as his wife.
1Sa 25:41
‘ And she arose, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, “Look, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.”
Abigail received them with courtesy and discreetly accepted what, once David had made his choice, must have been seen as inevitable. She was in no position to refuse him. On the other hand the fact that she hurried to respond may suggest great willingness. After all, she knew that he was the heir apparent to the throne of Israel.
Her response should not be taken too literally. To wash the feet of someone’s servants was the job of the meanest slave. It was merely an exaggerated way of accepting David’s offer and expressing her willingness to obey him in all things.
1Sa 25:42
‘ And Abigail hurried herself, and arose, and rode on an ass, with five damsels of hers who followed her, and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.’
In the same way as Abigail had hurried to set out in order to appease David in 1Sa 25:18, so now she hurried to go to meet him as her future husband, taking with her five maidens for company, and travelling in the company of David’s men. And once she had arrived at his camp she became his wife, no doubt through the ministry of Abiathar.
1Sa 25:43
‘ David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel, and they became both of them his wives.’
We should probably translate as ‘had taken’ for 2Sa 3:2 suggests that Ahinoam was David’s first wife after Michal. She came from Jezreel which was also in the hill country of Judah (Jos 15:55-56). Whether consciously or unconsciously David was by this preparing the way for the future, for by these marriages he was establishing his identity among the southern tribes and their allies and gaining family rights over large areas of land. It would do him no harm once the throne of Israel/Judah became vacant.
1Sa 25:44
‘ And Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.’
We are then informed why David needed further wives. It was because Michal had been taken from him by Saul and had been married to another. Having made David an outlaw, and having determined on his death, he wanted his daughter removed from such a parlous situation. Saul also probably had the aim of scotching any idea that David could claim the throne as Saul’s son-in-law. So many of Saul’s wrong actions were the result of his passion to ensure the establishment of his own dynasty. Samuel’s twofold rejection of him had bitten deeply into his life. We know nothing of Palti other than the fact that he came from Gallim (compare Isa 10:30) and was the son of Laish, and that he truly loved Michal and was heartbroken when after Saul’s death David demanded that she be restored to him (2Sa 3:13-16).
1Sa 25:39. When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, &c. David, hearing of the death of Nabal, adores the divine justice so remarkably displayed in the punishment of this wicked man; and is full of thankfulness, that his cause was thus remarkably pleaded, without any intervention of his own. How fine a lesson is this to mankind, to remit injuries; to refer themselves and their concerns to the providence of God; to quell the spirit of revenge in the haughty heart, and to recede from rash and wicked resolutions, even though backed by solemn oaths!
(39) And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
What must have been the thoughts of David when these tidings were brought him. Reader! it is a blessed thing when God’s people can leave all their affairs with their God. The apostle’s advice is founded on this; Rom 12:19-21 .
1Sa 25:39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
Ver. 39. And hath kept his servant from evil. ] It is a very great mercy when God either leadeth us not into temptation, or delivereth us from the evil of it, or, lastly, raiseth us again by repentance; since it is not the falling into the water that drowneth, but the too long lying under it.
For the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal.
To take her to him to wife. wickedness. Hebrew. ra`a`. App-44.
Blessed: 1Sa 25:32, Jdg 5:2, 2Sa 22:47-49, Psa 58:10, Psa 58:11, Rev 19:1-4
pleaded: Pro 22:23, Lam 3:58-60, Mic 7:9
kept his servant: 1Sa 25:26, 1Sa 25:34, Hos 2:6, Hos 2:7, 2Co 13:7, 1Th 5:23, 2Ti 4:18
hath returned: 2Sa 3:28, 2Sa 3:29, 1Ki 2:44, Est 7:10, Psa 7:16
to take her: It is probable that David had heard that Saul, to cut off his pretensions to the throne, had married Michal to Phalti; and this justified him in taking Abigail, it not being then unlawful for a man to have several wives. This conduct of David’s corresponds with the manner in which the Oriental princes generally form their matrimonial alliances. “The king of Abyssinia,” says Mr. Bruce, “sends an officer to the house where the lady lives, who announces to her that it is the king’s pleasure she should remove instantly to the palace. She then dresses herself in the best manner, and immediately obeys. Thenceforward he assigns her an apartment in the palace, and gives her a house elsewhere in any part she chooses.” Pro 18:22, Pro 19:14, Pro 31:10, Pro 31:30
Reciprocal: Gen 24:27 – Blessed 1Ch 3:1 – of Abigail Psa 5:10 – let Psa 19:13 – Keep Psa 37:10 – thou Psa 119:22 – Remove Isa 51:22 – pleadeth Rom 7:3 – though
1Sa 25:39. Blessed, &c. This was another instance of human infirmity in David. David sent But this doubtless was not done immediately after Nabals death, but some time after it; though such circumstances be commonly omitted in the sacred history, which gives only the heads and most important passages of things.
25:39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to {s} take her to him to wife.
(s) For he had experienced her great godliness, wisdom and humility.
David’s marriage to Abigail 25:39-43
David thanked God for vindicating him and for preventing him from doing evil. Abigail had been the instrument that God had used to do this (1Sa 25:39). It was proper for David to give thanks since he had left Nabal in the Lord’s hands and had not sought revenge.
It is easy to see why David found Abigail so attractive. Not only was she intelligent (cf. 2Ch 30:22; Psa 111:10; Pro 13:15) and beautiful (1Sa 25:3; cf. Gen 29:17; Est 2:7), but she was also a soul sister with David (cf. Jonathan). She shared his view of life and his commitment to God. However, since from creation God’s will has been monogamy (Gen 2:24), it was wrong for him to marry her (1Sa 25:39). He had also previously married Ahinoam of Jezreel (1Sa 25:43). Perhaps he justified his second marriage with the fact that Saul had taken Michal from him (1Sa 25:44). Perhaps he got into polygamy also because it was customary in the ancient Near East for great warriors and monarchs to have many wives and concubines (mistresses). Yet God forbade this of Israel’s kings (Deu 17:17).
David did not restrain himself in his relations with women, and this caused him major problems later in his life. The same words "sent" and "took her" appear both here (1Sa 25:40) and in the account of David’s affair with Bathsheba (2Sa 11:4). We see here the seed problem that bore bitter fruit in David’s adultery.
Should Abigail have agreed to become David’s wife? It appears that she had a choice (1Sa 25:42). I do not believe she should have agreed to marry David, who was already married to someone else (Gen 2:24), if she was truly free to decide. Abigail may have felt a need for security since her husband had died, and David was an attractive man with whom she shared much in common. Furthermore he was destined to become king. Yet he was married. Her decision is certainly understandable, though not commendable.
We can learn a great deal from wise Abigail. We can see how a godly person responds to a spouse’s folly: by preserving and protecting the spouse rather than by ignoring the folly. We see how a godly person responds to a foolish spouse: by honoring him or her rather than by despising him or her. We see how a godly person responds to favors bestowed: by returning them generously rather than by taking them for granted. We see how a godly person responds to other godly people: by helping them rather than by opposing them. We see how a godly person responds to being vulnerable: by sacrificing oneself for others rather than by becoming arrogant. We see how a godly person responds to the threat of danger: by trusting in God and behaving wisely rather than by ignoring the danger. We see how a godly person responds to the desire for security. In this last lesson Abigail is a negative example rather than a positive one. We do so by relying on God to provide legitimately rather than by seizing security.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
41 And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.
43 David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives,
44 But Saul had given Michal his daughter, Davids wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)