1 Samuel 25 3

1 Samuel 25:3 kjv

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

1 Samuel 25:3 nkjv

The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb.

1 Samuel 25:3 niv

His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings?he was a Calebite.

1 Samuel 25:3 esv

Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite.

1 Samuel 25:3 nlt

This man's name was Nabal, and his wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beautiful woman. But Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, was crude and mean in all his dealings.

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 3 Meaning

This verse introduces the central figures of the narrative in 1 Samuel 25: Nabal and his wife, Abigail. It immediately establishes a sharp contrast between their characters. Nabal's name itself, meaning "fool" or "senseless," presages his nature, as he is described as harsh and evil in his deeds. In stark opposition, Abigail is portrayed with two key positive attributes: she possesses "good understanding" or wisdom, and is also of "beautiful appearance." The verse further specifies Nabal's lineage as a Calebite, an ironic detail given the admirable character typically associated with Caleb. This foundational description sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation and resolution that follows, hinging on the disparity between Nabal's folly and Abigail's wisdom.

1 Samuel 25 3 Context

1 Samuel chapter 25 immediately follows the death of Samuel, a pivotal figure in Israelite history who anointed both Saul and David. David, having been anointed king and constantly pursued by Saul, is now living in the wilderness as an outlaw, leading a band of men. In this precarious situation, David’s men have been protecting Nabal's shepherds and flocks in exchange for provision. The narrative sets up a crucial test of David's leadership and character, highlighting his restraint in the face of immense provocation. This verse specifically introduces the characters essential to this test, establishing their inherent moral and intellectual qualities that drive the subsequent events and reveal God's hand in protecting His anointed.

1 Samuel 25 3 Word analysis

• "Now the name of the man was Nabal":
  • Nabal (Hebrew: נָבָל, Nabal): The very name means "fool," "senseless," "godless," or "worthless." This is not a description given later, but his inherent identity from birth, ironically reflecting his ultimate character and actions. This immediate identification of a character by a name indicating his inherent disposition is a common biblical literary device (e.g., Isaac, Jacob, Eve). It implies a deeper, spiritual folly.
• "and the name of his wife Abigail":
  • Abigail (Hebrew: אֲבִיגַיִל, Abigayil): Meaning "my father is joy" or "source of joy." Her name provides a stark contrast to Nabal’s, subtly hinting at the positive impact she will have, especially as she becomes a source of joy to David by averting catastrophe.
• "And the woman was of good understanding":
  • good understanding (Hebrew: טוֹבַת שֶׂכֶל, tovat sekhel): This phrase indicates not merely intelligence, but practical wisdom, discernment, and sound judgment. It implies a moral astuteness and spiritual insight that enables her to act rightly in complex situations, especially contrasting Nabal’s spiritual and practical blindness.
• "and beautiful appearance":
  • beautiful appearance (Hebrew: יְפַת תֹּאַר, yefat to'ar): Describes physical attractiveness. While significant, the Bible often pairs outer beauty with inner character (e.g., Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Esther). Here, her physical beauty serves as an additional positive attribute, though it is secondary to her wisdom.
• "but the man was harsh":
  • harsh (Hebrew: קָשֶׁה, qasheh): Signifies being hard, severe, obstinate, or cruel. It implies a difficult and unyielding temperament, often resistant to reason or compassion.
• "and evil in his deeds":
  • evil in his deeds (Hebrew: וְרַע מַעֲלָלָיו, ve'ra ma'alalav): This highlights that his evil was not just in his character but actively demonstrated in his actions. It emphasizes a consistent pattern of wickedness, leading to harmful outcomes. This is a crucial distinction, as "deeds" indicate externalized sin.
• "and he was a Calebite":
  • Calebite (Hebrew: כָלִבִּי, Kalibbi): A descendant of Caleb, who was known for his faithfulness to the Lord, courage, and integrity (Num 14:24). Nabal’s ancestry from such a noble and devoted lineage serves as a profound irony, intensifying the wickedness of his character by contrasting it with his heritage. This detail points to the idea that spiritual character is not inherited but individually cultivated or neglected.

1 Samuel 25 3 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of Nabal's name and Abigail's name is a deliberate literary device, indicating their inherent natures and setting a thematic framework for the chapter. This use of names reflects a strong biblical concept where one's name often signifies destiny or character. The extensive wealth Nabal possessed, though not explicitly stated in this verse, is a backdrop implied by his many shepherds and large flocks (mentioned in v. 2), yet his character makes him utterly undeserving and blind to the proper use of his resources. The contrast of wealth and folly, with wisdom being superior, is a pervasive biblical theme seen throughout Proverbs and other wisdom literature. Nabal’s inability to discern God’s anointed (David) further emphasizes his spiritual blindness, highlighting a fundamental "Nabal" quality—a rejection of divine order.

1 Samuel 25 3 Commentary

Verse 3 masterfully introduces the foundational conflict of 1 Samuel 25 by presenting a study in contrasts. Nabal embodies the very definition of a "fool" — his name itself serving as a constant reminder of his character, which is further elucidated by his "harshness" and "evil deeds." He represents the common biblical theme of a man who, despite wealth, lacks wisdom and piety, making him contemptible in God's eyes and destined for ruin. In sharp contrast, Abigail is portrayed as not only physically appealing but, more importantly, possessing deep "understanding" and discernment, setting her up as God's instrument for intervention. The detail of Nabal being a "Calebite" adds layers of dramatic irony, as he epitomizes the opposite of Caleb’s legendary faithfulness. This verse therefore prepares the reader for a dramatic encounter where Nabal's inherent folly and evil will clash with David’s growing anointing and Abigail’s divine wisdom, revealing how God often uses unlikely figures to bring about His purposes and protect His own.