1 Samuel 25 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Samuel 25 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Israel’s first king, Saul, was appointed in approximately 1050 B.C.

• The events documented in 1 Samuel 25 took place between approximately 1015-1010 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• David – He was selected by God to eventually become the second king of Israel.

• Saul – The first king of Israel. He hated David and was always trying to kill him.

• Nabal – A very rich man who had a disagreement with David. He is described as harsh and badly behaved.

• Abigail – The wife of Nabal. She is described as discerning and beautiful.  

WHERE:

• Nabal was from Maon, but his sheep were in Carmel for shearing.

• Carmel was approximately 1 mile or 1.6 km north of Maon.

OUTLINE:

• THE DEATH OF SAMUEL (25:1a):

  • Samuel died and all Israel mourned for him.

  • He had been a prophet and judge in Israel for decades.

• DAVID’S DISPUTE WITH NABAL (25:1b-13):

  • Nabal of Maon was a man of disgraceful character.

  • He was a very rich man who had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats.

  • David’s men protected Nabal’s sheep and shepherds while they were in the wilderness.

  • When David heard Nabal had gone to Carmel to sheer his sheep, David sent messengers to him to ask if he would show them generosity because it was a special feast day.

  • Nabal responded by insulting David and refusing.

  • David was so angry, he strapped on his sword and gathered 400 men to attack Nabal’s house.  

• ABAGAIL SAVES NABAL’S HOUSEHOLD (25:14-35):

  • Abagail, Nabal’s wife, was nothing like her husband. She is described as a discerning woman.

  • When she heard about her husband’s insult and David’s anger, she quickly gathered 200 loaves of bread, 2 skins of wine, 5 sheep, 5 seahs of grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 fig cakes and loaded them onto donkeys.

  • She took the gift and met David’s army on the road.

  • She bowed to David and apologized for her “worthless” husband.

  • David accepted her apology and her gift and he blessed her.

• NABAL’S DEATH AND ABIGAIL’S FUTURE (25:36-44):

  • After saving her family, Abigail found Nabal drunk and feasting.

  • In the morning, she told him all that had transpired, and the text says, “his heart died within him.”

  • About 10 days later, God struck Nabal dead.

  • After her husband’s death, David took Abigail as his wife.

  • David also took a woman named Ahinoam to be his wife.

  • Michal, David’s first wife, was given to another man by her father, Saul.

APPLICATION:

• Men, Nabal’s legacy is not one you want to repeat.

• You don’t want to be a worthless, drunken man who is dependent on your wife to clean up your mistakes.

• Men should be role models for their family, leaders in their home, and Christ-like in their character.

• Nabal’s fate makes it clear what God thinks of “worthless” men.