The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 482

was very different now from what it was at the beginning of his wanderings, was manifested in his whole bearing, and especially in the marriage relationships into which he entered (vera. 42-44). 6. The increased renoum which he bad acquired. The words of Abigail (vern. 28-31) expressed the growing conviction of the godly in Israel that David was destined to be their theocratic ruler. She may also have "received certain information of his anointing and destination through Samuel, or one of the pupils of the prophets" (Keil). 7. The Divine restraint by which he was kept from doing what would have imperilled or interfered with his future honour and happiness (ver. 26). When God has an important place for a man to fill, he prepares the way to it and prepares him £or it, and a part of his preparation consists in his being taught faithful co-operation with the Divine purposes.-D. Vers. 2-39. (MAoN, CARMEL.)-The prosperous fool. "Now the name of the man was Nabal" (ver. 3; "a son of Belia!," ver. 17; "Nabal is lcis name, and folly is with him," ver. 25). This chapter is like a picture gallery in which are exhibiterl the portraits of Samuel and the elders of Israel, David and his men, with the Bedouin marauders in the background; Nabal, the wealthy sheep-owner, bis sheep-shearers and boon companions, Abigail and her maidens, and Ahinoam of Jezreel (mother of Amnon, the eldest son of David). Let us pause and look at one of them-Nabal. "As his name is, so is he ; " a fool, i. e. a stupid, wickecl, and godless man. " Ac- cording to the Old Testament representation folly is a correlate of ungodliness which inevitably brings down punishment" (Keil). He is such an one as is described by the Psalmist (Pa. xiv. 1), often mentioned by the wise man (Prov. xvii. 16; xix. 1 ; xxi. 24), called a churl by the prophet (Isa. xxx:ii. 5-7), and referred to by our Lord in the parable (Luke xii. 13-21). What a contrast between bis appearance and that of Samuel I I. Hrs ADVANTAGES WERE GREAT. 1. He belonged to a good family. "He was of the house of Caleb," who "wholly followed Jehovah God of Israel," and bad "a part among the children of Judah." But he inherited none of the better qualities of his illustrious ancestor. "A good extraction is a reproach to him who degenerates from it." Religious privileges also (such as be enjoyed from his connection with Israel), unless rightly used, only serve to increase condemnation. 2. He possessed an excellent wife; " a woman of good understanding and of a beautiful countenance," prudent, generous, and devout. "A prudent wife is from the Lord" (Prov. xix. 14). But many a man is little benefited by the gift. His worldly prosperity may be increased by her skilful management of his household (vers. 14, 25), whilst his spiritual condition is not improved by her example, coun- sel, and prayers. The persistently bad are hardened by their intimate intercourse with the good. 3. He enjoyed immense prosperity. "The man was very great (wealthy), and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats," e. palatial residence in Maon, and a house at Carmel (Kurmul), where his business lay (vers. 2, 36). He may ha,e inherited his wealth, or he may have had wisdom enough to know how to make and keep it, industrious himself, and profiting by the industry of others; it is not improbable from bis language concerning slaves (ver. 10) that he was one of those usurers and oppressors from whose exactions many of David's men sought to free themselves by flight (eh. x..xii. 2). "Here we may see the fickle and uncertain state of the world" (\Villet); "the wicked in great power" (Ps. xxxvii. 35), and the good oppressed (Ps. lxx:iii. 10). But " n man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" ·(Luke xii. 15). His abundance should make him thankful to God and generous to men, It has often, however, the reverse effect, and" the prosperity of fools shall destroy them" (Deut. viii. 10-20; Prov. i. 32). II. Hrs CHARACTER WAS WORTHLESS. "The man was churlish" (hard and harsh} "sod evil in his doings" (ver. 3). 1. He had evidently no thought of God as thc> living, ever-present One, the true King of Israel, the AuthJr and Preserver of his life, the Giver of all his blessings, the moral Ruler to whom he was rrsponsible f,,r their proper employment. ,vhat was material and sensible was to him the onlv reality. He recognised in practice no will superior to his own, and li,·ed "with,111t God in the ,~oriel." 2. He was regardless of the claims of ot!te1· people; despising; 192 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH, XXV. 1--44,