The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 477

Vere. 36-44.-Contrasts,patience, and domestic ties. The facts are-1. Abigail,. finding Nabal in the midst of a drunken revel, refrains from speaking of her inter- view with David. 2. In the morning, on her relating what had transpired, he-- became insensible, and soon after dies. 3. On hearing of his death David recognises afresh the mercy that bad restrained him, and sees the wisdom of leaving judgment to the Lord. 4. David, deprived of bis wife Michal, though possessed of Ahinoam,. seeks to take Abigail to wife, and she, accepting his advances, consents. The sacred narrative is wonderfully effective in making David the central figure amidst the diversity of detail alluded to, and thus indicates the unity of principle on which it is- frarned, as well as foreshadows the higher presentation of Christ as the one figure, discernible by the eye of faith, amidst the varied teachings of Scripture. The- manifold teaching of this section, while associated with David as the central figure, may be most conveniently represented under three beads. We have here- I. CONTRASTS OF CHABACTEB. N abal may be regarded as an instance of a type of character well known in every age-low in taste, devoted to material gains, in- sensible to lofty spiritual aspirations, the miserable victim of diRgusting habits, exercising a pernicious influence, and corning to an end dishonourable and ruinous. Grades of this character may be found, but the essential features of it are sensuality,. irreverence, and earthliness. The chapter presents us with three characters agree- ing in a common contrast to this-Abigail s, David's, Samuel's. Each of these, in the sphere allotted by Providence, stands out as the very opposite of N abal. That which formed the inspiring power in them was intelligent devotion to the higher- interests of life and strong faith in the Divine purpose that was being worked out in- Israel. The reference in ver. 1 to the honourable burial of Samuel, and in vers. 36- 38 to the disgraceful end of Nabal, as well as the intermediate references to David and Abigail, show that the contrast of characters lies in four things-spirit, aims, influence, and end. All characters may be tested by these criteria. The spirit is either devout, reverent, trustful, and obedient, or grovelling, profane, alien to God. The aim in life is the creation of the spirit, and is either to promote individual and public righteousness in association with God's purpose in the Messiah, or to gather wealth and find transitory gratification. The influence is either to elevate, inspireJ and enrich the world with what is best and enduring, or to drag down, embitter, anel brutalise mankind. The end, as in the case of Samuel, is either peace, honour, and future blessedness, or wretchedness, dishonour, and future woe. In every age and tJH, XXV, 1-44.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SA:\WEL. 487