Bible Strands
1 Samuel 25:3
His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator introduces Nabal and his wife Abigail at the opening of the chapter, establishing their domestic contrast before David’s messengers arrive in Carmel.
The words — נָבָל (Nabal) names the husband, while טֽוֹבַת (toat) describes Abigail as good or beautiful in appearance and conduct.
The thread — The text’s contrast between a wise, noble wife and a harsh, foolish husband parallels the character descriptions in Proverbs 14:1, Proverbs 31:10, and Isaiah 32:5. Isaiah 32:5 specifically notes that a fool will no longer be called noble, marking the opposite of the vice described here.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to register the literal character contrast that drives the ensuing conflict, noting the narrative description before any moral application.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
- Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
- Isaiah 32:5 No longer will a fool be called noble, nor a scoundrel be respected.
- Psalms 10:3 For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
- Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
- 1 Samuel 25:17 Now consider carefully what you must do, because disaster looms over our master and all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that nobody can speak to him!”
- Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
- 1 Samuel 25:10 But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.
- 1 Samuel 30:14 We raided the Negev of the Cherethites, the territory of Judah, and the Negev of Caleb, and we burned down Ziklag.”
- Joshua 15:13 According to the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.)