1 Samuel 25:17

17 Und nun wisse und sieh zu, was du tun willst; denn das Unglück ist beschlossen gegen unseren Herrn und über sein ganzes Haus; und er ist ein solcher Sohn Belials, daß man nicht zu ihm reden kann.

1 Samuel 25:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 25:17

Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do
For the preservation of her family:

for evil is determined against our master, and against all his
household;
which he concluded, either from something that dropped from David's messengers, as they turned away from Nabal; or from the martial spirit of David himself, who would never put up such an affront and indignity cast upon him; or from some intelligence he had of David's arming his men, and marching to take vengeance:

for he [is such] a son of Belial, that [a man] cannot speak to him;
meaning Nabal, who was such a worthless, passionate, and ill natured man, such a lawless and imperious one, that he would not suffer a man to speak to him about anything; and it was to no purpose to attempt it, which was a reason this servant did not choose to speak to him about this affair, but to Abigail; and suggests, that it would signify nothing for her to speak to him about it, but it would be most advisable for her to consider with herself what was to be done immediately, without consulting him: the words may be rendered, "for he is a son of Belial that speaks unto him" F1; or when "he speaks unto him", or it is told him; meaning not the servant that reported to David what Nabal said; for Abarbinel observes there were ten of them, and therefore it could not be said of them, he is a son of Belial; but rather David himself, as he and Kimchi observe it may be interpreted of; that though he was so good and upright a man, yet when it should be told him how Nabal had treated him, he would be so provoked at it, that he would become and act like a son of Belial; storm and rage, and vow destruction to Nabal and his family, and come out with his whole army to destroy them; but the first sense is best.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (wyla rbdm) "loquens ad cum".

1 Samuel 25:17 In-Context

15 Und doch sind die Männer sehr gut gegen uns gewesen; und es ist uns nichts zuleide geschehen, und wir haben nicht das Geringste vermißt alle die Tage, die wir mit ihnen umhergezogen sind, als wir auf dem Felde waren.
16 Sie sind eine Mauer um uns gewesen bei Nacht wie bei Tage, alle die Tage, die wir bei ihnen waren und das Kleinvieh weideten.
17 Und nun wisse und sieh zu, was du tun willst; denn das Unglück ist beschlossen gegen unseren Herrn und über sein ganzes Haus; und er ist ein solcher Sohn Belials, daß man nicht zu ihm reden kann.
18 Da eilte Abigail und nahm zweihundert Brote und zwei Schläuche Wein und fünf zubereitete Schafe und fünf Maß geröstete Körner und hundert Rosinenkuchen und zweihundert Feigenkuchen, und lud sie auf Esel;
19 und sie sprach zu ihren Knaben: Ziehet vor mir hin; siehe, ich komme hinter euch her. Aber ihrem Manne Nabal sagte sie nichts davon.
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