Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > chapter 25
Abigail had convinced David that he should not attack Nabal’s house. She had saved Nabal’s servants, and she could have saved Nabal’s life too. However, Nabal was much too proud and wicked to receive any benefit from her actions.
Nabal’s proud attitudes astonish us. It did not worry him that he had offended David so seriously. He was not even making plans about how he might defend himself from an attack by David’s men. Instead, he was very happy. He had arranged for himself (and, probably, his friends) a great meal with plenty of food and wine. He was enjoying himself very much.
Probably, Nabal was pleased that he had cheated David’s men. They had worked hard for him for several months, and he had not given them the usual payment. Nabal probably thought that he was very clever. This proud and foolish man thought that it was clever to behave in a wicked manner.
David did not need to punish Nabal. As Abigail had said (25:29), God acted against him. The news of how Abigail had acted to save Nabal and his servants, upset him greatly. The Bible says that his heart became like a stone. He was completely unwilling to change his attitudes; this seems to have caused a terrible illness.
Soon afterwards, Nabal died.
David heard, and he gave thanks to God. He did not thank God for Nabal’s death. He thanked God because God had saved him from the responsibility for an evil deed. David had not carried out his intention to kill Nabal and his servants. Instead, he waited and he allowed God to act against Nabal.
So Nabal died, not because David was angry with him, but because of God’s judgement. David could see that God’s judgement against Nabal, like all God’s judgements, was right and proper.
Next part: Abigail becomes David’s wife (1 Samuel 25:40-44)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.