Thematic Bible

Themes in 1 Samuel 25

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Themes in 1 Samuel 25

1 Samuel 25:1 (show verse)

Samuel died, and all Israel assembled to mourn for him, and they buried him by his home in Ramah. David then went down to the Wilderness of Paran.

Burial » Places used for » Houses of the deceased
Burial » Burying places » Tombs » In houses
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Paran » David takes refuge in
Ramah » Also called ramathaim-zophim » Samuel dies and was buried in
samuel » Death of; the lament for him

1 Samuel 25:2 (show verse)

A man in Maon had a business in Carmel; he was a very rich man with 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats and was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Carmel » A city » A city of judah » Nabal's possessions at
Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Sheep-shearing
Goat » Numerous
Goat » Jews had large flocks of
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Maon » The place where nabal lived
Nabal » History of
Riches » Examples of wicked men possessing » Nabal
Sheep » Time of shearing, a time of rejoicing

1 Samuel 25:3 (show verse)

The man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name, Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful, but the man, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

Discourtesy » Nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Notable women » Abigail, the capable woman
Selfishness » Exemplified » Nabal
Wife » Tactful abigail
Women » Notable » Abigail, the capable woman

1 Samuel 25:4 (show verse)

While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep,

the Armies of israel » Mode of provisioning: » Contribution levied
Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Travelers » Of distinction » Frequently extorted provisions by the way

1 Samuel 25:5 (show verse)

so David sent 10 young men instructing them, “Go up to Carmel, and when you come to Nabal, greet him in my name.

1 Samuel 25:6 (show verse)

Then say this: ‘Long life to you, and peace to you, to your family, and to all that is yours.

the Armies of israel » Mode of provisioning: » Contribution levied
Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Ingratitude » Exemplified » Nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Salutations » Examples of
Salutations » Expressions used as » Peace to thee, and peace to thine house, and peace unto all that thou hast
Salutations » Peace (hebrew: shalom)
Social life » Wedding feasts » Examples of
Travelers » Of distinction » Frequently extorted provisions by the way

1 Samuel 25:7 (show verse)

I hear that you are shearing. When your shepherds were with us, we did not harass them, and nothing of theirs was missing the whole time they were in Carmel.

the Armies of israel » Mode of provisioning: » Contribution levied
Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Ingratitude » Exemplified » Nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Mountains » Afforded pasturage
Nabal » History of
Travelers » Of distinction » Frequently extorted provisions by the way

1 Samuel 25:8 (show verse)

Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on a feast day. Please give whatever you can afford to your servants and to your son David.’”

1 Samuel 25:9 (show verse)

David’s young men went and said all these things to Nabal on David’s behalf, and they waited.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Ingratitude » Exemplified » Nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Travelers » Of distinction » Frequently extorted provisions by the way

1 Samuel 25:10 (show verse)

Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is Jesse’s son? Many slaves these days are running away from their masters.

Contempt » Exemplified » Nabal
Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Ingratitude » Exemplified » Nabal
Inhospitableness » Instances of » Nabal toward david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Servant » Bond » David erroneously supposed to be a fugitive slave
Social life » Christ entertained in various homes » Inhospitality
Travelers » Of distinction » Frequently extorted provisions by the way

1 Samuel 25:11 (show verse)

Am I supposed to take my bread, my water, and my meat that I butchered for my shearers and give them to these men? I don’t know where they are from.”

Contempt » Exemplified » Nabal
Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Ingratitude » Exemplified » Nabal
Inhospitableness » Instances of » Nabal toward david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Selfishness » Exemplified » Nabal
Selfishness » Examples of » Nabal refuses food to david
Sheep » Time of shearing, a time of rejoicing
Sheep » Feasting at the time of shearing
Travelers » Of distinction » Frequently extorted provisions by the way

1 Samuel 25:12 (show verse)

David’s men retraced their steps. When they returned to him, they reported all these words.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Inhospitableness » Instances of » Nabal toward david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Travelers » Of distinction » Frequently extorted provisions by the way

1 Samuel 25:13 (show verse)

He said to his men, “All of you, put on your swords!” So David and all his men put on their swords. About 400 men followed David while 200 stayed with the supplies.

1 Samuel 25:14 (show verse)

One of Nabal’s young men informed Abigail, Nabal’s wife: “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he yelled at them.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Inhospitableness » Instances of » Nabal toward david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Railing » Instances of
Salutations » Often sent through messengers
Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of abigail
Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be anxious for their welfare
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:15 (show verse)

The men treated us well. When we were in the field, we weren’t harassed and nothing of ours was missing the whole time we were living among them.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Inhospitableness » Instances of » Nabal toward david
Integrity » Instances of » David, in preventing foraging by his insurgent forces
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of abigail
Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be anxious for their welfare
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:16 (show verse)

They were a wall around us, both day and night, the entire time we were herding the sheep.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Inhospitableness » Instances of » Nabal toward david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of abigail
Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be anxious for their welfare
Walls » Illustrative » Of those who afford protection
Walls » Designed for defence
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:17 (show verse)

Now consider carefully what you must do, because there is certain to be trouble for our master and his entire family. He is such a worthless fool nobody can talk to him!”

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Inhospitableness » Instances of » Nabal toward david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Masters' » Bad--exemplified » Nabal
Nabal » History of
Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of abigail
Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be anxious for their welfare
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:18 (show verse)

Abigail hurried, taking 200 loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, a bushel of roasted grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.

Domestic Donkeys » Was used » For bearing burdens
Bottles » Made of skins » Sometimes probably of large dimensions
Bread » Often given as a present
Bread » How prepared » Made into loaves
Corn » Parched
Decision » Instances of » Abigail
the Diet of the jews » Articles of, often sent as presents
the Diet of the jews » Articles used for » Dried fruit
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
Fig tree » Sent as presents
Food » List of articles » Dried fruit
Food » Articles of » Dried fruit
natural Fruit » Varieties of » Figs
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Labour » Women » Women's Work » fields of activity » Meeting an emergency and saving her household
Measure » A seah, about a peck and a half
Nabal » History of
Presents » Often conveyed on camels, &c
Presents » Things given as » Eatables
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Raisins » Given by abigail to david
Sheep » Flesh of, extensively used as food
Tact » Nabal's wife
Victuals » List of articles » Dried fruit
The vine » The fruit of » Eaten dried
Wife » Tactful abigail
Wine » Custom of presenting to travellers
Wine » Was kept in bottles

1 Samuel 25:19 (show verse)

Then she said to her male servants, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:20 (show verse)

As she rode the donkey down a mountain pass hidden from view, she saw David and his men coming toward her and met them.

Domestic Donkeys » Women often rode on
Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:21 (show verse)

David had just said, “I guarded everything that belonged to this man in the wilderness for nothing. He was not missing anything, yet he paid me back evil for good.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Evil for good » Instances of » Nabal returns, to david
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
Ingratitude » To man, instances of
Ingratitude » Exemplified » Nabal
Ingratitude » Of man to man » Nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:22 (show verse)

May God punish me and do so severely if I let any of his men survive until morning.”

1 Samuel 25:23 (show verse)

When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey and fell with her face to the ground in front of David.

Ass (donkey) » Domesticated » Used for riding
Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Diplomacy » Instances of » Of abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Obsequiousness » Instances of » Abigail
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Salutations » By bowing
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:24 (show verse)

She fell at his feet and said, “The guilt is mine, my lord, but please let your servant speak to you directly. Listen to the words of your servant.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Diplomacy » Instances of » Of abigail
Feet » Respect exhibited by falling at
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Christ's intercession with the father for mankind » Examples of man's with his fellow-men
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Obsequiousness » Instances of » Abigail
Prayer » Intercessory Christ's intercession with the father for mankind » Examples of man's with his fellow-men
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Revenge » Keep others from taking
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

My lord should pay no attention to this worthless man Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name is Nabal, and stupidity is all he knows. I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men whom you sent.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Diplomacy » Instances of » Of abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
Home » Family » Hard to bear causes of » Unworthy husbands
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Obsequiousness » Instances of » Abigail
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Revenge » Keep others from taking
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:26 (show verse)

Now my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and as you yourself live, it is the Lord who kept you from participating in bloodshed and avenging yourself by your own hand. May your enemies and those who want trouble for my lord be like Nabal.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Diplomacy » Instances of » Of abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Oaths » Expressions used as » As thy soul liveth
Obsequiousness » Instances of » Abigail
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Revenge » Keep others from taking
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:27 (show verse)

Accept this gift your servant has brought to my lord, and let it be given to the young men who follow my lord.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
the Diet of the jews » Articles of, often sent as presents
Diplomacy » Instances of » Of abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Obsequiousness » Instances of » Abigail
Presents » Were given » To appease the angry feelings of others
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Revenge » Keep others from taking
Tact » Nabal's wife
Travelers » Of distinction » Generally attended by running footmen
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:28 (show verse)

Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the Lord is certain to make a lasting dynasty for my lord because he fights the Lord’s battles. Throughout your life, may evil not be found in you.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Diplomacy » Instances of » Of abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Obedience » Instances of » David
Obsequiousness » Instances of » Abigail
Presents » Were given » To appease the angry feelings of others
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Revenge » Keep others from taking
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:29 (show verse)

“When someone pursues you and attempts to take your life, my lord’s life will be tucked safely in the place where the Lord your God protects the living. However, He will fling away your enemies’ lives like stones from a sling.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Diplomacy » Instances of » Of abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Obsequiousness » Instances of » Abigail
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Revenge » Keep others from taking
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:30 (show verse)

When the Lord does for my lord all the good He promised and appoints you ruler over Israel,

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Diplomacy » Instances of » Of abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Obsequiousness » Instances of » Abigail
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Revenge » Keep others from taking
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:31 (show verse)

there will not be remorse or a troubled conscience for my lord because of needless bloodshed or my lord’s revenge. And when the Lord does good things for my lord, may you remember me your servant.”

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Diplomacy » Instances of » Of abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Obsequiousness » Instances of » Abigail
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Revenge » Keep others from taking
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:32 (show verse)

Then David said to Abigail, “Praise to the Lord God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today!

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Revenge » Be thankful for being kept from taking
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:33 (show verse)

Your discernment is blessed, and you are blessed. Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand.

1 Samuel 25:34 (show verse)

Otherwise, as surely as the Lord God of Israel lives, who prevented me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, Nabal wouldn’t have had any men left by morning light.”

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:35 (show verse)

Then David accepted what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. See, I have heard what you said and have granted your request.”

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Fig » Cakes of, sent by abigail to david
intercession » Instances of » Abigail for nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Presents » Were given » To appease the angry feelings of others
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:36 (show verse)

Then Abigail went to Nabal, and there he was in his house, holding a feast fit for a king. Nabal was in a good mood and very drunk, so she didn’t say anything to him until morning light.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Drunkenness » Exemplified » Nabal
Drunkenness » Examples of » Nabal
Drunkenness » Instances of » Nabal
Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Sheep-shearing
Entertainments » Often scenes of great intemperance
Feasts » Given by kings
Feasts » Drunkenness at
Intemperance » Examples of » Nabal
Intoxication » Examples of » Nabal
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Revelry » Revelry at social functions
Sheep » Time of shearing, a time of rejoicing
Sheep » Feasting at the time of shearing
Social functions » Wedding feasts » Revelry at
Social life » Wedding feasts » Revelry at
Tact » Nabal's wife
Temperance » Drunkards examples of » Nabal
Wife » Tactful abigail
Wine » Instances of intoxication from » Nabal

1 Samuel 25:37 (show verse)

In the morning when Nabal sobered up, his wife told him about these events. Then he had a seizure and became paralyzed.

Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Tact » Nabal's wife
Wife » Tactful abigail
Wine » In excess » Impairs the health

1 Samuel 25:38 (show verse)

About 10 days later, the Lord struck Nabal dead.

Disease » Instances of » Upon nabal
God » Judgments of » Examples of men smitten
God's Judgments » Examples of men smitten
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nabal » History of
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:39 (show verse)

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise the Lord who championed my cause against Nabal’s insults and restrained His servant from doing evil. The Lord brought Nabal’s evil deeds back on his own head.”

Then David sent messengers to speak to Abigail about marrying him.

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Marriage » Modes of demanding women in
Polygamy » David
divine Restraints » Exercised over the righteous
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:40 (show verse)

When David’s servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, “David sent us to bring you to him as a wife.”

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Marriage » Modes of demanding women in
Polygamy » David
Wife » Tactful abigail

1 Samuel 25:41 (show verse)

She stood up, then bowed her face to the ground and said, “Here I am, your servant, to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

Feet » Washing for others, a menial office
Guests » Hospitality to » Washing the feet of
King » Ceremonial recognition of » Prostration
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Marriage » Consent of the parties necessary to
Obsequiousness » Instances of » Abigail
Polygamy » David
Servants » Slaves or bond » Engaged in the most menial offices
Social life » Guests advices to » Washing the feet of
Washing » Of feet
Wife » Tactful abigail