BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 25› Verse 36

1 Samuel 25:36

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 25:36 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal`s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal`s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
1 Samuel 25:36 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
33and blessed be thy discretion, and blessed be thou, that hast kept me this day from bloodguiltiness, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
34For in very deed, as Jehovah, the God of Israel, liveth, who hath withholden me from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light so much as one man-child.
35So David received of her hand that which she had brought him: and he said unto her, Go up in peace to thy house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.
36And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal`s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
37And 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.
38And it came to pass about ten days after, that Jehovah smote Nabal, so that he died.
39And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be Jehovah, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept back his servant from evil: and the evil-doing of Nabal hath Jehovah returned upon his own head. And David sent and spake concerning Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
← 1 Samuel 25:351 Samuel 25:37 →
← Full Chapter 25 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Abigail came to Nabal, etc.] Having sped with David, and taken her leave of him, she returned home to her husband Nabal: and, behold, he held a feast in his house like the feast of a king; both for the number of dishes on his table and of guests at it though only on the account of sheep shearing; but very probably there were others that were invited to this entertainment besides the shearers; covetous men are generally very profuse when they make feasts: and Nabal’s heart [was] merry within him, for he [was] very drunken: which was a very ill example for the master of the feast to set, and was one instance among others of his folly, and of his conduct answering to his name: wherefore she…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“NABAL'S DEATH. (Sa1 25:36-44) he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king--The sheep-shearing season was always a very joyous occasion. Masters usually entertained their shepherds; and even Nabal, though of a most niggardly disposition, prepared festivities on a scale of sumptuous liberality. The modern Arabs celebrate the season with similar hilarity.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A feast - As the manner was upon those solemn occasions. Sordid covetousness, and vain prodigality were met together in him. Told nothing - As he was then incapable of admonition, his reason and conscience being both asleep. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 25:37”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“25:36 like a king: Nabal was like Saul (see study note on 25:1-44).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a feast: Sa2 13:23; Est 1:3-7; Luk 14:12 merry: Sa2 13:28; Kg1 20:16; Pro 20:1, Pro 23:29-35; Ecc 2:2, Ecc 2:3, Ecc 10:19; Isa 28:3, Isa 28:7, Isa 28:8; Jer 51:57; Dan 5:1-5; Nah 1:10; Hab 2:15, Hab 2:16; Luk 21:34; Rom 13:13; Eph 5:18; Th1 5:7, Th1 5:8 she told him: Sa1 25:19; Psa 112:5; Mat 10:16; Eph 5:14 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 25:37”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 25 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification