1 Samuel 25

1 Samuel 25:1

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.

1 Samuel 25:2

Maon] Maon and Carmel were cities of Judah, Joshua 15:55. neer the southerly frontier. Another Carmel was in the tribe of Issachar, 1 Kings 18:19. and 1 Samuel 15:12.

possessions] Or, businesse.

very great] That is, wealthy. So 2 Samuel 29:32.

1 Samuel 25:3

evill in] That is, evill conditioned.

Caleb] See Chap. 30. 14.

1 Samuel 25:5

greet him in my name] Heb. ask him in my name of peace.

1 Samuel 25:7

hurt] Heb. shamed.

ought missing] Which favour seldom befalleth them that live by souldiers, who often want necessaries.

1 Samuel 25:8

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.

1 Samuel 25:9

and ceased] Heb. rested; To wit, to speak any more, expecting Nabals answer.

1 Samuel 25:10

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.

1 Samuel 25:11

my water] Which was scarce in that hot and dry countrey, Genesis 21:25. 26. 15. and put generally for drink.

flesh that I have killed] Heb. slaughter.

1 Samuel 25:12

went again] Or, went their way and returned.

1 Samuel 25:14

young men] Of Nabals servants.

railed on them] Heb. flew upon them, like a bird of prey; That is, suddenly and fiercely.

1 Samuel 25:15

unto us] To wit, when we lived by them in the wildernesse of Paran, and there kept our sheep.

hurt] Heb. shamed.

1 Samuel 25:16

a wall] That is, to protect and defend us from any hurt by wilde beasts or men.

1 Samuel 25:17

Belial] See Judg. 19. 22. Deuteronomy 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.

1 Samuel 25:18

clusters] lumps.

1 Samuel 25:19

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.

1 Samuel 25:21

had said] To wit in Abigals hearing.

1 Samuel 25:22

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 Kings 14:10. and 1 Kings 3:21. 2 Kings 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.

1 Samuel 25:24

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.

1 Samuel 25:25

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.

1 Samuel 25:26

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.

1 Samuel 25:27

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.

1 Samuel 25:28

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.

1 Samuel 25:29

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, Jeremiah 10:18.

1 Samuel 25:30

And it shall] The conclusion of her suit grounded upon the condition of Gods promises; and Davids injoying them.

1 Samuel 25:31

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.

1 Samuel 25:34

hurting thee] And thy whole family, as in my rage. I did rashly swear, vers. 22.

1 Samuel 25:35

accepted thy person] That is, received thee into grace, and granted all which thou desirest. See Genesis 19. 21. and 32. 20.

1 Samuel 25:36

a feast] As they used to do at their sheep-shearing, 2 Samuel 13:23.

1 Samuel 25:37

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.

1 Samuel 25:38

smote Nabal] With some sicknesse or plague.

1 Samuel 25:39

from the hand] That is, offered unto me by Nabal.

evil] That is, the mischievous revenge which I intended.

cenned] To wit, by his messengers, after the time of her mourning was past.

1 Samuel 25:40

to wise] Having had experience of her godlinesse, wisdom and humility.

1 Samuel 25:41

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.

1 Samuel 25:42

after her] Heb. at her feet.

1 Samuel 25:43

Jezreel.] Joshua 15. vers. 56. A city in the tribe of Judah.

1 Samuel 25:44

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 Gbeah-Saul, Isaiah 10:30.