Westminster Annotations, 1 Samuel (1 Kings) · Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV.
Vers. 1. SAmuel died] Chap. 28. 3. Ecclus 46. 13, 20.
so Paran] On the south border of the tribe of Judah towards Idumea, Habac. 3. 3.
V. 2. Maon] Maon and Carmel were cities of Judah, Josh. 15. 55. neer the southerly frontier. Another Carmel was in the tribe of Issachar, 1 King. 18. 19. and 1 Sam. 15. 12.
possessions] Or, businesse.
very great] That is, wealthy. So 2 Sam. 29. 32.
V. 3. evill in] That is, evill conditioned.
Caleb] See Chap. 30. 14.
V. 5. greet him in my name] Heb. ask him in my name of peace.
V. 7. hurt] Heb. shamed.
ought missing] Which favour seldom befalleth them that live by souldiers, who often want necessaries.
V. 8. a good day] That is, a day of mirth and feasting, in which you enjoy all plenty, and abound with Gods blessings; and therfore are bound by Gods law to communicate with those that are in want, Deut. 14. 23, 29. and 15. 7. Esther 9. 19.
to thine hand] That is, hast ready, and art willing to bestow.
thy son] Who beareth a son-like affection towards thee.
V. 9. and ceased] Heb. rested; To wit, to speak any more, expecting Nabals answer.
V. 10. the son of Jesse] So he calleth him in contempt.
from his master] As David himself hath don… from Saul, and animated many others of his followers to follow his example, Chap. 22. 2.
V. 11. my water] Which was scarce in that hot and dry countrey, Gen. 21. 25. 26. 15. and put generally for drink.
flesh that I have killed] Heb. slaughter.
V. 12. went again] Or, went their way and returned.
V. 14. young men] Of Nabals servants.
railed on them] Heb. flew upon them, like a bird of prey; That is, suddenly and fiercely.
V. 15. unto us] To wit, when we lived by them in the wildernesse of Paran, and there kept our sheep.
hurt] Heb. shamed.
V. 16. a wall] That is, to protect and defend us from any hurt by wilde beasts or men.
V. 17. Belial] See Judg. 19. 22. Deut. 13. 13.
to him] Who is so harsh and churlish, that he hath no patience to hear a man speak; and therefore I addreste my self unto thee.
V. 18. clusters] lumps.
V. 19. she told not] Because she knew him to be of such a crooked nature, that he would rather have perished, then consent to her enterprise.
V. 21. had said] To wit in Abigals hearing.
V. 22. So and more] That is, God grant that all the enemies of David may fare so, and no better nor worse then as Lintend to do to this ungratefull fellow. See Ruth. 1. 17.
that pisseth] A proverbiall speech used with the Hebrews, signifying a totall extermination of an house, so as not so much as a dog should escape unkilled. So 1 King. 14. 10. and 21. 21. 2 King. 9. 8. This was a rash and sinfull oath, seeing thereby he bindeth himself to take private revenge, and to slaughter the innocent as well as the guilty.
V. 24. Ʋpon me] That is, let me be punished in stead of my husband, and his family, if I do not clear my …nnocency, so that thou wilt vouchsafe to hear me: or, let me be reputed an offender, rather then thou shouldest be guilty of sinning, in, seeking private revenge.
audience.] Heb. ears.
V. 25. regard] Heb. lay it to his heart.
Nabal is] That is, a fool, and churl, and therefore nothing but foolish and churlish words can be expected from him.
V. 26. hath withholden] By my humble mediation, and poor present that I have brought unto thee, vers. 33.
avenging thy self] Heb. saving thy self; To wit, upon my wicked husband.
now let] Or, now shall thine enemies, or else here were no oath.
as Nabal] That is, as weak and contemptible, and as unworthy to become the objects of your anger and revenge: Or in as desperate a condition as he would be, if you should proceed in this your design.
V. 27. blessing] Or, present.
the young men] That is, though it be so mean, that it is not worthy thy acceptance, yet let thy servants have it to supply their present necessity.
follow my lord] Heb. walk at the feet of, &c.
V. 28. forgive the] Seeing I took all the blame upon my self, that I might appease thy wrath against my husband.
a sure house] That is, not flitting, as now, from place to place, but fixed and permanent: not for a short time, like Sauls, but durable and perpetuall: q. d. Thou shalt have …n everlasting kingdom, and nothing better becometh a king then clemency.
and evill] That is, self-revenge, and cruelty especially; and therefore do not now lose, the honour of thy former innocency and mercy, by staining them with blood.
V. 29. Yet a man] That is, Saul (though all in vain) seeketh, thy life.
in the bundle] That is, shall be safely preserved, at men binde up things which they esteem in bundles, that they may not be scattered and lost, Psal. 116. 1….
with the Lord] And therefore must needs be safe, being in his custody.
as out of the middle of a sling] Heb. in the midst of the bought of a sling; That is, as men use to sling out stones, that is, suddenly, swiftly, and farre off, Jere. 10. 18.
V. 30. And it shall] The conclusion of her suit grounded upon the condition of Gods promises; and Davids injoying them.
V. 31. That this] To wit, from which I have disswaded thee, that is, seeking private revenge, and shedding blood.
no grief] Heb. no staggering, or, slumbling.
offence of heart] That is, heavinesse of minde, and remorse of conscience.
remember] That is, think on me with kingly favour, who by my counsell have kept thee from sinning against God, and disturbing the peace of a good conscience.
V. 34. hurting thee] And thy whole family, as in my rage. I did rashly swear, vers. 22.
V. 35. accepted thy person] That is, received thee into grace, and granted all which thou desirest. See Genesis 19. 21. and 32. 20.
V. 36. a feast] As they used to do at their sheep-shearing, 2 Sam. 13. 23.
V. 37. when the wine] That is, when he had out-slept his drunkennesse.
things] That is, Davids resolution to have killed him, and all his family, and how by her counsell she had prevented the danger.
as a stone] That is, dis-animated and astonished with fear, without all sense and feeling.
V. 38. smote Nabal] With some sicknesse or plague.
V. 39. from the hand] That is, offered unto me by Nabal.
evil] That is, the mischievous revenge which I intended.
cen…ned] To wit, by his messengers, after the time of her mourning was past.
V. 40. to wise] Having had experience of her godlinesse, wisdom and humility.
V. 41. bowea her self] That is, in honour of David, before his commissioners, as representing his person.
let thine hand-maid] A most humble complement, wherein she acknowledgeth her self so far unfit …or such an high advancement, that she was unworthy the place of one of his meanest servants of his servants.
V. 42. after her] Heb. at her feet.
V. 43. Jezreel.] Joshua 15. vers. 56. A city in the tribe of Judah.
V. 44. given Michal] 2 Sam. 3. 14, 15. The which is here rendered as the cause, why David took to him those other wives.
Gallim], In the tribe of Benjamin, not far from G…beah-Saul, Isai. 10. 30.