1 Samuel 25:25

Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, [even] Nabal: for as his name [is], so [is] he; Nabal [is] his name, and folly [is] with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

Let {H7760} not my lord {H113}, I pray thee, regard {H3820} this man {H376} of Belial {H1100}, even Nabal {H5037}: for as his name {H8034} is, so is he; Nabal {H5037} is his name {H8034}, and folly {H5039} is with him: but I thine handmaid {H519} saw {H7200} not the young men {H5288} of my lord {H113}, whom thou didst send {H7971}.

Please! My lord shouldn't pay any attention to this worthless fellow Naval, because he's just like his name -'Naval' means 'boor,' and his boorishness stays with him. But I, your servant, did not see my lord's men, whom you sent.

My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.

Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this worthless fellow, even Nabal; for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thy handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 25:25, we find Abigail, the wise and discerning wife of Nabal, making a fervent plea to David. She seeks to avert David's wrath and prevent him from shedding innocent blood in his anger against her foolish husband. This verse is a crucial part of her eloquent and humble appeal, where she strategically downplays Nabal's significance while emphasizing his inherent foolishness.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of David's time as a fugitive from King Saul. David and his men had provided protection for Nabal's shepherds and flocks in Carmel, acting as a wall of defense. When David, in need of provisions, sent his young men to Nabal to request sustenance during sheep-shearing, Nabal, a wealthy but churlish man, insultingly refused. Enraged by this disrespect and ingratitude, David vowed to destroy Nabal and every male in his household before morning. Abigail, hearing of her husband's folly and David's impending retaliation, quickly gathered provisions and went out to meet David, unbeknownst to Nabal. Her intervention, marked by humility and wisdom, is pivotal in preventing David from committing a rash act of vengeance. This specific verse is part of her persuasive argument to David, asking him not to regard Nabal's foolishness.

Key Themes

  • Folly vs. Wisdom: The verse starkly contrasts Nabal's profound foolishness with Abigail's remarkable wisdom and discernment. Nabal's actions nearly brought destruction upon his entire household, while Abigail's quick thinking and humility saved them. This highlights the practical consequences of these two opposing traits.
  • Character and Name: Abigail directly links Nabal's character to his name, stating, "as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him." This emphasizes the Hebrew practice of names often reflecting or foreshadowing a person's nature or destiny.
  • Intercession and Peacemaking: Abigail acts as a powerful intercessor, standing between David's righteous anger and Nabal's deserving fate. Her actions exemplify the power of peacemaking and wise counsel in de-escalating conflict and preventing sin, a theme also explored in Proverbs 15:1.
  • Restraint and Justice: Abigail's plea encourages David to restrain his anger and allow God to administer justice, rather than taking matters into his own hands. This aligns with biblical principles of trusting God's timing and methods for vengeance (Romans 12:19).

Linguistic Insights

The name "Nabal" (Hebrew: נָבָל, Nāḇāl) literally means "fool," "senseless," "worthless," or "withered." Abigail's statement, "as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him," is a direct and poignant play on words. She is not merely insulting him but stating a profound truth about his character as embodied by his very name. The term "man of Belial" (בְלִיַּעַל, Bĕliyya‘al) is a strong Hebrew idiom referring to a worthless, wicked, or rebellious person. It implies one who is beyond redemption or usefulness, often associated with moral depravity and opposition to God's will. Abigail uses this term to underscore Nabal's utter lack of good sense and moral character.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Beware of Rash Anger: David's initial reaction, though understandable given Nabal's immense disrespect, was to act in destructive anger. Abigail's intervention reminds us of the importance of self-control and seeking wise counsel before acting impulsively, preventing us from sinning in our anger (Ephesians 4:26).
  2. The Power of Wise Words: Abigail's humble yet direct words had the power to turn David from a path of sin. This highlights the profound impact of speaking truth in love and the value of wisdom in navigating difficult situations.
  3. Character Matters: Nabal's name reflected his character, and his actions bore witness to it. Our lives should reflect the character of Christ, demonstrating wisdom, humility, and kindness rather than folly and selfishness.
  4. Trust God's Justice: Abigail implicitly trusts that God will deal with Nabal, and indeed, within ten days, the Lord struck Nabal, and he died (1 Samuel 25:38). This teaches us to commit our grievances to God, knowing that He is a righteous judge.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 25:17 (5 votes)

    Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he [is such] a son of Belial, that [a man] cannot speak to him.

  • Malachi 2:2 (3 votes)

    If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

  • 2 Samuel 13:33 (2 votes)

    Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.

  • Isaiah 42:25 (1 votes)

    Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid [it] not to heart.

  • 1 Samuel 25:26 (1 votes)

    Now therefore, my lord, [as] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to [shed] blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.