King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:36 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:36 in the King James Version says “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 me... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

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.

35

So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

36

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.

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.

38

And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The scene shifts to reveal Nabal's oblivious self-indulgence. The Hebrew 'mishteh kebishteh melekh' (feast like a king's feast) ironically describes the fool playing royalty while the true king's representative just left. His 'merry heart' (lev tov) from drunkenness contrasts with the deadly danger he narrowly escaped. The phrase 'very drunken' (shikor me'od) explains Abigail's silence—he was incapable of comprehending the situation. Her wisdom continued: 'told him nothing' until he could understand. The irony intensifies: Nabal feasted in kingly fashion, unaware that four hundred armed men had been diverted from destroying his house. His drunken revelry occurred during his closest approach to death.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Shearing feasts were occasions for generous celebration. Nabal's feast 'like a king's' demonstrated his wealth and perhaps his pretensions. His drunkenness rendered him incapable of rational conversation, explaining Abigail's waiting until morning.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Nabal's oblivious feasting reveal about foolish self-confidence?
  2. How does irony in this scene emphasize the contrast between wisdom and folly?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַתָּבֹ֣א1 of 27

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֲבִיגַ֣יִל׀2 of 27

And Abigail

H26

abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses

אֶל3 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נָבָל֙4 of 27

and Nabal's

H5037

nabal, an israelite

וְהִנֵּה5 of 27
H2009

lo!

לוֹ֩6 of 27
H0
כְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה7 of 27

and behold he held a feast

H4960

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

בְּבֵית֜וֹ8 of 27

in his house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה9 of 27

and behold he held a feast

H4960

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ10 of 27

of a king

H4428

a king

וְלֵ֤ב11 of 27

heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

נָבָל֙12 of 27

and Nabal's

H5037

nabal, an israelite

ט֣וֹב13 of 27

was merry

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

עָלָ֔יו14 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְה֥וּא15 of 27
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

שִׁכֹּ֖ר16 of 27

drunken

H7910

intoxicated, as a state or a habit

עַד17 of 27
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מְאֹ֑ד18 of 27

within him for he was very

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וְלֹֽא19 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִגִּ֣ידָה20 of 27

wherefore she told

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לּ֗וֹ21 of 27
H0
דָּבָ֥ר22 of 27

him nothing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

קָטֹ֛ן23 of 27

less

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

וְגָד֖וֹל24 of 27

or more

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

עַד25 of 27
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

א֥וֹר26 of 27

light

H216

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

הַבֹּֽקֶר׃27 of 27

until the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 25:36 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 25:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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