1 Samuel 25:36
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.
Original Language Analysis
אֲבִיגַ֣יִל׀
And Abigail
H26
אֲבִיגַ֣יִל׀
And Abigail
Strong's:
H26
Word #:
2 of 27
abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses
כְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה
and behold he held a feast
H4960
כְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה
and behold he held a feast
Strong's:
H4960
Word #:
7 of 27
drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast
בְּבֵית֜וֹ
in his house
H1004
בְּבֵית֜וֹ
in his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
8 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה
and behold he held a feast
H4960
כְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה
and behold he held a feast
Strong's:
H4960
Word #:
9 of 27
drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast
וְלֵ֤ב
heart
H3820
וְלֵ֤ב
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
11 of 27
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
ט֣וֹב
was merry
H2896
ט֣וֹב
was merry
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
13 of 27
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
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְה֥וּא
H1931
וְה֥וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
15 of 27
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
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
17 of 27
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מְאֹ֑ד
within him for he was very
H3966
מְאֹ֑ד
within him for he was very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
18 of 27
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִגִּ֣ידָה
wherefore she told
H5046
הִגִּ֣ידָה
wherefore she told
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
דָּבָ֥ר
him nothing
H1697
דָּבָ֥ר
him nothing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
22 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
קָטֹ֛ן
less
H6996
קָטֹ֛ן
less
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
23 of 27
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
וְגָד֖וֹל
or more
H1419
וְגָד֖וֹל
or more
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
24 of 27
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
25 of 27
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Proverbs 20:1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.1 Samuel 25:19And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.2 Samuel 13:23And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.2 Samuel 13:28Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.Romans 13:13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.Matthew 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Nabal's oblivious feasting reveal about foolish self-confidence?
- How does irony in this scene emphasize the contrast between wisdom and folly?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.