1 Samuel 25
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Setting the Story
Setting the Story
King David has been through a lot.
In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel anoints David as king because God has rejected Saul. Saul had his opportunity but failed to live up to it.
In 1 Samuel 17, David defeats Goliath and begins to gain a reputation throughout Israel.
In 1 Samuel 18–19, Saul becomes increasingly jealous and fearful of David. Seeing David as a threat to his throne, Saul’s solution is to kill him. This begins a long, repeated cycle: Saul tries to kill David, and David flees.
Over time, however, David grows a following. Though he is a fugitive, he is also the Lord’s anointed—destined to be king as part of God’s sovereign plan. During these years of wandering, David gathers around him a group of loyal men.
1 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.
Then in the next chapter, this grows into 600. 1 Samuel 23:13
13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go.
All of this unfolds over the course of two to four years. Despite living on the run, David’s reputation continues to grow, and he’s developing his own following. Though we don’t have specific names at this point, many scholars believe that some of David’s mighty men—those legendary warriors who could defeat hundreds on their own—had already joined him during this time. God’s promise is unfolding: David will be king.
But Saul remains jealous and obsessed. He’s still trying to kill David. In 1 Samuel 24, while searching for David in the wilderness of Engedi, Saul enters a cave to relieve himself—unaware that David and his men are hiding in the innermost part of that very cave.
David quietly cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe to show that he had the opportunity to kill him but chose not to. David shows mercy to someone who did not deserve it—a pattern that will prove important again in the chapter I will be going over with you all today. Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father,
We do not deserve your mercy. When we read about David and how he was merciful to Saul, how much more are you God, the one who embodies what mercy is.
God, be merciful to us this morning. Let us study your word, know that it is alive and working through your spirit.
You have raised us to life from death. We have the ability to hear and learn from your word. Illuminate our minds. Make us wise.
Only through you, and you alone Jesus.
Amen
The Exposition (Verses 1-8)
The Exposition (Verses 1-8)
In this chapter, the writer of 1 Samuel is building toward a climactic moment that comes roughly twenty verses later. But before that turning point, we’re given a detailed setup, essential context that frames the story. A lot is happening here: David is still in exile, wandering the wilderness, running from Saul. Despite being on the run, David has shown restraint, most recently sparing Saul’s life (cf. 1 Samuel 24), and is steadily growing in strength and leadership. Though not yet enthroned, he is beginning to function like a king.
Before the main narrative unfolds, the chapter opens with a somber yet significant transition: the death of the prophet Samuel.
The death of Samuel marks the end of an era. Israel mourns the passing of a prophet who had served faithfully from the days of Eli to Saul’s reign. Yet God’s purposes continue, not through Samuel now, but through David. Samuel had anointed David, and the torch of divine promise is now clearly with him. Though David's journey to kingship is still unfolding, the line that will lead to Jesus (cf. Matthew 1:6) is already moving forward.
1 Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah.
Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
After the memorial, David and his people are in the wilderness of Paran and they are going to come across a man who is very well off. This man, Nabal, has thousands of sheep and goats and he is married to a beautiful lady. Now when the bible mentions a detail, it is always good to take notice, because David obviously took notice.
2 And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3 Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite. 4 David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. 5 So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. 6 And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. 7 I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. 8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.’ ”
Some will call this passage the beauty and the beast. Not the Disney movie that we are familiar with but that she was indeed very beautiful and her husband, was indeed a beast. We don’t have a description of his looks so to say but he was harsh, badly behaved, a drunk, a fool, and much worse. Some translations do say that he was Nasty.
Nabal simply translated, means fool. A fool may sound less harsh nowadays, but we should not take it lightly because scripture describes exactly what a fool is and its a disgrace.
6 For the fool speaks folly,
and his heart is busy with iniquity,
to practice ungodliness,
to utter error concerning the Lord,
to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied,
and to deprive the thirsty of drink.
Remember these last two lines, because we will read on how Nabal fulfills the definition of the fool. Nabal is everything that a man should be yet his wife is everything that a woman should be.
The context of sheep-shearing is also important. In ancient Israel, sheep-shearing was a time of celebration and generosity—much like a harvest festival (cf. 2 Samuel 13:23–24). David knew this and expected to receive hospitality, not just as a social courtesy but as payment in kind for his protection of Nabal’s shepherds. Verse 7 underscores this: David’s men ensured Nabal’s flocks were safe. Without David’s help, Nabal’s wealth could have been diminished.
So David sends ten young men as envoys to Nabal, not to demand, but to respectfully request provision. His message is marked by blessing and peace. It’s courteous, reasonable, and timely, he appeals to honor, gratitude, and generosity. But knowing the definition of what a fool is and how Nabal’s name means fool, how do you think he will respond?
The Rising Action
The Rising Action
The last two lines of Isaiah 32:6
to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied,
and to deprive the thirsty of drink.
As I’m sure all of you were able to guess, Nabal lives up to his reputation and not only denies but mocks David.
9 When David’s young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. 10 And Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. 11 Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?”
David’s reputation preceded him, he was known throughout Israel. This question is not Nabal truly asking who is David? No, he knows who he is by even referencing who his father is. This is a response of pride. We could translate Nabal saying this: Who does David think he to request food and drink from me? He builds on this saying David is a rebellious servant and does not deserve “my bread, my water, and my meat”. Let’s see how David reacts:
12 So David’s young men turned away and came back and told him all this. 13 And David said to his men, “Every man strap on his sword!” And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage.
David is mad and although we don’t quite know David’s intention yet, I think we can all guess what David is about to do since the word sword is mentioned three times.
The tension is building, and in verses 14-17, a discerning servant reports to Abigail, Nabal’s wife, who is both beautiful and discerning. The servant shows to provide a reliable testimony: he describes how David’s men had provided protection, acting as a wall around the shepherds, day and night. But more than that, the servant emphasizes the urgency of the situation. David’s protection has now turned into a potential threat. While David was merciful, he is also powerful enough to destroy Nabal and his entire household. The servant also points out another critical fact: Nabal, unlike David, cannot be reasoned with.
17 Now therefore know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.”
Nabal exhbits the heart of a fool in every way. He is a man that can’t be reasoned with.
Church, just a quick note, always be one who can be reasoned with. Never let your emotions get you to a place where you can’t listen. Never feel so prideful that you are always right and no one can convince you otherwise. That is foolish and a very sinful place to be.
So Abigail takes initiative. In the following verses, she quickly gathers supplies, bread, wine, lamb, grain, and fruit, and sends them with her servants to intercept David. She herself rides down the mountain to face David personally.
David then reveals his intent:
22 God do so to the enemies of David and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him.”
David is mad. He’s already marching up to Nabal’s home and he is ready to slaughter. We could all say he is right to be angry, but what he is about to do is not right.
The Climax
The Climax
We now come to a turning point in the story. We see a Christlike character in this moment. One who would intervene and intercede for her husband and servants to save their lives. David is angry and about to act out on his anger but lets read to see what happens:
23 When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. 24 She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant. 25 Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent. 26 Now then, my lord, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, because the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be as Nabal. 27 And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord. 28 Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live.
Before we move on to what I see being the main point of Abigail’s speech, there are many elements that I want to point out.
She shows respect and honor by bowing on her face to the ground before David.
She offers her life for her servants. “on me alone, my Lord, be the guilt”
She is trying to help David see that just because Nabal deserves to die, doesn’t mean the rest have to. She almost suggests at the end of verse 26 that it would be okay to kill Nabal.
She offers a present to David and asks for forgiveness.
She lifts him up and reminds him of who is sovereign. David does not need to take matters into his own hand. The Lord has promised David many things and the Lord is fighting David’s battles.
What a great reminder for all of us. It can be so easy to want and take matters into our own hands. To act out in anger, in impatience, in jelousy, out of hate. However, we as believers must be reminded of this truth that Abigail shared with David. The Lord fights our battles. He gives us strength. He gives us peace. He provides. I am not saying be passive, but don’t try to be God. We must be active and go to God
She then makes her main point that convicts David.
29 If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God. And the lives of your enemies he shall sling out as from the hollow of a sling. 30 And when the Lord has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you and has appointed you prince over Israel, 31 my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself. And when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.”
What amazing truth’s she is providing.
In verse 29, she is showcasing the sovereignty of God. She is saying that David’s life is in the care of God and that He is for David. David’s enemies are God’s enemies but God will deal with them as God will deal with them.
In verse 30, she is declaring God’s faithfulness! Last week, Trinity Church celebrated 73 years of being a Church. Our church anthem is to sing the hymn great is thy faithfulness. This is the truth, God has been faithful to Trinity Church and He always will be. We have to hold on to that core doctrine for when our life is heavy and difficult. Because God is still working and when he says in Romans 8:28: that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. This is what comforts us. Rather to respond in sin, we should turn to God. Abigail is reminding David all of the things God has promised him, and that God will do it.
In the first part of verse 31, she does not want David to have regret by him trying to take save himself or kill innocent people and have that come back to haunt him. God does forgive sins but sin will affect us for a long time. I have sins that I’ve committed 10 years ago that I regret to this day. I’ve confessed it to God and I know he’s forgiven me but that is how sin operates and works.
Now how does David respond? With Humility. Yes, he was in the wrong as he was about to kill innocent people, he was still a man who could be reasoned with and recegonizes God was speaking through her!
32 And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! 34 For as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male.” 35 Then David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have obeyed your voice, and I have granted your petition.”
David’s wrath is no more and his heart is softened because of Abigail’s bravery and discernment. It also probably helped that she was pretty.
The Falling Action and Resolution
The Falling Action and Resolution
I’ll make this simple, since I don’t have too much time for you all:
Abigail goes back to her home and sees her husband drunk. She decides to tell him all of what was about to happen in the morning. She shares with him the info and then Nabal’s heart stopped. We are unsure if this was stroke, although most scholars lean that’s what happened. God then officially kills Nabal 10 days after.
David rejoices that God avenged him but also kept him from doing something he’ll regret. David
David takes Abigail to be his wife as well as another named, Ahinoam.
