1 Samuel 25:37

But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became [as] a stone.

But it came to pass in the morning {H1242}, when the wine {H3196} was gone out {H3318} of Nabal {H5037}, and his wife {H802} had told {H5046} him these things {H1697}, that his heart {H3820} died {H4191} within {H7130} him, and he became as a stone {H68}.

In the morning, when he was sober and his wife told him what had happened, he had a stroke and became as motionless as a stone.

In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these events, and his heart failed within him and he became like a stone.

And it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:37 KJV

This verse describes the immediate, shocking consequence of Nabal's foolishness and his wife Abigail's revelation. After a night of revelry, Nabal, a rich but churlish man, finally learns how close he came to utter destruction at the hands of David and his men, and what his wise wife did to avert it.

Context

The narrative leading up to this verse is crucial. David, in exile from King Saul, had been providing protection for Nabal's shepherds in the wilderness. When David requested provisions during sheep-shearing, Nabal arrogantly refused and insulted him (1 Samuel 25:10-11). Enraged, David vowed to destroy Nabal and his entire household (1 Samuel 25:22). However, Nabal's discerning wife, Abigail, quickly gathered provisions and, without telling Nabal, went to meet David. She humbly appealed to David, taking responsibility for her husband's folly and pacifying his wrath (1 Samuel 25:23-31). David accepted her offering and praised her wisdom, turning from his destructive path (1 Samuel 25:32-35). When Abigail returned, Nabal was drunk and feasting, so she waited until morning to tell him everything.

Key Themes

  • The Consequences of Folly: Nabal's arrogant and ungrateful behavior brought him to the brink of ruin. This verse starkly illustrates the severe, even fatal, consequences of such a disposition.
  • The Power of Truth: Once the wine "was gone out of Nabal," meaning he was sober and clear-headed, the truth of his near-annihilation and Abigail's heroic intervention hit him with full force. The truth, when finally grasped, can have a profound impact, sometimes leading to repentance, other times to despair.
  • Divine Justice: While Abigail averted David's hand, Nabal's fate ultimately serves as an example of divine judgment against pride and wickedness. God often allows people to reap what they sow.
  • Contrast of Character: The verse highlights the stark contrast between Nabal's insensitive foolishness and Abigail's perceptive wisdom, which ultimately saved her household from certain death.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his heart died within him, and he became as a stone" is highly descriptive.

  • "His heart died within him": The Hebrew word for heart, lev (ΧœΦ΅Χ‘), in this context refers not just to the physical organ but to the seat of intellect, will, and emotion. This expression signifies a profound shock, a complete collapse of his spirit and vital functions. It suggests a sudden, overwhelming emotional and physical paralysis, perhaps indicating a stroke or heart attack induced by extreme stress or terror.
  • "And he became as a stone": This simile further emphasizes the complete physical and mental incapacitation. It paints a picture of Nabal becoming rigid, unresponsive, and lifeless, like a stone. This could describe a catatonic state, a coma, or the immediate effect of a severe physiological event.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 25:37 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless principles:

  • Listen to Wise Counsel: Nabal's downfall was largely due to his refusal to listen to anyone, especially his wife. The story underscores the importance of humility and heeding wise counsel, even if it comes from unexpected sources.
  • Consequences of Actions: Our actions, good or bad, often have direct and sometimes delayed consequences. Nabal's arrogance brought him to this tragic end.
  • The Danger of Pride: Nabal's pride and self-importance blinded him to reality and ultimately led to his demise. The Bible frequently warns against pride, as seen in Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
  • God's Justice Prevails: Even when human intervention seems to resolve a conflict, divine justice is at work. Nabal's death, occurring about ten days later (1 Samuel 25:38), is a clear demonstration that God ultimately judges the wicked.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 15:21

    A dreadful sound [is] in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

  • Job 15:22

    He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.

  • Deuteronomy 28:28

    The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:

  • 1 Samuel 25:22

    So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that [pertain] to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

  • Proverbs 23:29

    ΒΆ Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

  • Proverbs 23:35

    They have stricken me, [shalt thou say, and] I was not sick; they have beaten me, [and] I felt [it] not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

  • 1 Samuel 25:34

    For in very deed, [as] the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
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