Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Society today encourages us to “live and let live” and “mind our own business”., yet as Christians we cannot sit idly by while evil is at work ().

Abigail is a testament to such action.

Look at ;

Abigail, whose name combines the Hebrew words for “father” (אָב, av) and “joy” (גיל, gyl)

In the Biblical period, Carmel was both politically and economically important.

Its political importance derived from its strategic position as part of the defense system of the Judean wilderness, and its economic importance was based on its suitability to animal breeding.

The Connection of Carmel

Go back to

In the aftermath of his battle against the Amalekites, Saul had raised a monument to himself at the town of Carmel.

In so doing, he had laid claim to sovereignty over the area.

This fact, perhaps along with some sense of indebtedness to Saul for expelling the Amalekites, may have contributed to Nabal’s utter disregard for David.

Meaning of Nabal’s name

The name “Calebite” may indicate that Nabal is a descendant of Caleb, one of the faithful spies () whose inheritance was in the area of Hebron, where this story takes place.

The name “Calebite” may indicate that Nabal is a descendant of Caleb, one of the faithful spies () whose inheritance was in the area of Hebron, where this story takes place.

Quite possibly—in view of the genealogical information in , which links the settlement of Bethlehem with the descendants of Caleb (see especially , , )—Nabal the Calebite was a kinsman of David, making David’s request of him all the more reasonable.

The name Nabal means “foolish” or “boorish”.

Nabal’s wife Abigail is a different woman from David’s sister Abigail (), who married a different man, Ithra (Jether) the Ishmaelite (; ).

Go to 1 Samuel 25:14-17

What qualities do we look for in another if we go to them for advice or with a concern?

25:3 Means “fool.”

Most translations render the Hebrew phrase used here as “he was a Calebite,” but some translate “he was as his heart.”

There is a difference between what is written in the Hebrew and how it has traditionally been read.

“As his heart” is what is written, and “Calebite” is how it is traditionally read.

The name “Calebite” may indicate that Nabal is a descendant of Caleb, one of the faithful spies (Num 13–14) whose inheritance was in the area of Hebron, where this story takes place (Josh 14:13–14; 15:13).

Also, since the Hebrew name Caleb (kalev) sounds similar to the Hebrew word for “dog” (kelev), this may be a play on words that indicates both Nabal’s ancestry and his churlish character—dogs were viewed negatively in ancient Israel.

Abigail was discerning (v.3), which indicates she would not make rash judgments.

Same as us - we should listen and contemplate our actions.

25:3 Calebite.

Since the time of the Israelite conquest and settlement of the Negev, Hebron was associated with the hero Caleb (Jos 14:13–15; Jdg 1:20).

Quite possibly—in view of the genealogical information in 1Ch 2:18–55, which links the settlement of Bethlehem with the descendants of Caleb (see especially 1Ch 2:19, 50–51, 54)—Nabal the Calebite was a kinsman of David, making David’s request of him all the more reasonable.

25:3 The name Nabal means “foolish” or “boorish” (see v. 25).

It appears to be his real name, but since it is unlikely that someone would be given a name with that meaning, its origin may have been another Hebrew word that is now unknown.

Calebite may mean a descendant of Caleb, one of the scouts who was willing to enter Canaan (Num.

14:6–7) and who was given the land around Hebron (Josh.

14:6–14).

Thus it would mean that Nabal was prominent both by wealth and by descent.

Nabal’s wife Abigail is a different woman from David’s sister Abigail (1 Chron.

2:16–17), who married a different man, Ithra (Jether) the Ishmaelite (2 Sam.

17:25; 1 Chron.

2:17).

David will later marry Nabal’s wife Abigail (1 Sam.

25:42).

25:14–17.

One of the young men told Abigail how Nabal had scorned David’s men.

He used a meaningful metaphor to communicate to her how David’s men protected them: they were a wall to us both by night and by day (v.

16).

The young man called Nabal a worthless man (lit., “a son of Belial”; see the comments on 2:12).

How does verse 16 further illustrate God’s favor was no longer with Saul?

Those who remain sided with Saul such as Nabal are painted in a negative light

Night and day they were a wall around us.

With these words, one of Nabal’s servants explicitly confirmed to Abigail that David’s claim to have safeguarded Nabal’s flocks was true.

For this service, Nabal’s servants had as much reason to be grateful to David as Nabal himself.

Let’s move to

How did she approach David?

In complete humility.

She wisely asked for permission to speak.

Her words are some of the wisest words in Scripture.

She explained to David that her husband’s name summed up who he was.

Nabal (“fool”) was his name, and folly was in him (v.

25).

She calms him.

Abigail first calms David’s anger.

She says, On me alone … be the guilt, i.e., “If you kill anybody, kill me,” but then explains why he should not kill her: he can hardly kill a woman traveling alone who humbly presents him with provisions!

25:3 Means “fool.”

Most translations render the Hebrew phrase used here as “he was a Calebite,” but some translate “he was as his heart.”

There is a difference between what is written in the Hebrew and how it has traditionally been read.

“As his heart” is what is written, and “Calebite” is how it is traditionally read.

The name “Calebite” may indicate that Nabal is a descendant of Caleb, one of the faithful spies () whose inheritance was in the area of Hebron, where this story takes place (; ).

Also, since the Hebrew name Caleb (kalev) sounds similar to the Hebrew word for “dog” (kelev), this may be a play on words that indicates both Nabal’s ancestry and his churlish character—dogs were viewed negatively in ancient Israel.

She prevented David from shedding blood, not from physical harm, but from a bruised ego.

25:3 Calebite.

Since the time of the Israelite conquest and settlement of the Negev, Hebron was associated with the hero Caleb (; ).

Quite possibly—in view of the genealogical information in , which links the settlement of Bethlehem with the descendants of Caleb (see especially , , )—Nabal the Calebite was a kinsman of David, making David’s request of him all the more reasonable.

25:3 The name Nabal means “foolish” or “boorish” (see v. 25).

It appears to be his real name, but since it is unlikely that someone would be given a name with that meaning, its origin may have been another Hebrew word that is now unknown.

Calebite may mean a descendant of Caleb, one of the scouts who was willing to enter Canaan () and who was given the land around Hebron ().

Thus it would mean that Nabal was prominent both by wealth and by descent.

Nabal’s wife Abigail is a different woman from David’s sister Abigail (), who married a different man, Ithra (Jether) the Ishmaelite (; ).

David will later marry Nabal’s wife Abigail ().

Abigail first calms David’s anger.

She says, On me alone … be the guilt, i.e., “If you kill anybody, kill me,” but then explains why he should not kill her: he can hardly kill a woman traveling alone who humbly presents him with provisions!

Abigail first calms David’s anger.

She says, On me alone … be the guilt, i.e., “If you kill anybody, kill me,” but then explains why he should not kill her: he can hardly kill a woman traveling alone who humbly presents him with provisions!

She reasons with him.

assuming that he has already agreed with her (the Lord has restrained you; v. 26).

Assuming that he has already agreed with her (the Lord has restrained you; v. 26).

Abigail reminded David of the Lord’s providential work in his life, noting that the Lord had restrained him from shedding blood.

She was probably referring to David’s having spared Saul’s life in the cave.

In complete humility.

She wisely asked for permission to speak.

Her words are some of the wisest words in Scripture.

She explained to David that her husband’s name summed up who he was.

Nabal (“fool”) was his name, and folly was in him (v.

25).

She reminded him that vengeance is the Lord’s (v.

26), a lesson David learned in chap.

24, one that would be reinforced in chap.

26, and one that he was in the process of learning under different circumstances in this chapter.

25:26–31.

Abigail reminded David of the Lord’s providential work in his life, noting that the Lord had restrained him from shedding blood.

She was probably referring to David’s having spared Saul’s life in the cave.

She reminded him that vengeance is the Lord’s (v.

26), a lesson David learned in chap.

24, one that would be reinforced in chap.

26, and one that he was in the process of learning under different circumstances in this chapter.

Not to take vengeance on the king is one thing, but it is altogether another test of godly resolve not to take vengeance on a fool who has held one in contempt.