And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

1 SAMUEL 25:36KJV
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1 Samuel 25:36 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 25:36 mean?

1 Samuel 25:36 describes how Abigail returned to her husband Nabal and found him holding a grand feast in his house, celebrating like a king. Nabal was in high spirits and extremely drunk, so Abigail chose not to tell him anything about what had happened until the next morning.

This verse is set right after Abigail’s wise intervention to prevent David from attacking Nabal’s household. When Abigail comes home, she finds Nabal in the middle of a lavish party, unaware of the danger he had narrowly escaped. The verse highlights Abigail’s discernment in waiting for a better time to speak, since Nabal was not in a state to listen or understand.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 25:36

  • "Feast" (מִשְׁתֶּה, mishteh): This word means a drinking party or banquet, emphasizing that Nabal’s celebration was not just a meal but a festive, indulgent event.
  • "Merry" (טוֹב, tov): Here, "merry" literally means "good" or "pleased," showing that Nabal’s heart was in a joyful, carefree state, likely because of the wine and the festivities.
  • "Very drunken" (שָׁכֹר, shakor): This word means deeply intoxicated, making it clear that Nabal was not just tipsy but completely drunk, unable to make sound decisions or have a serious conversation.

Why 1 Samuel 25:36 matters

  • This verse shows Abigail’s wisdom and self-control, as she waits for a moment when Nabal will be sober and able to understand her words.
  • The description of Nabal’s feast "like the feast of a king" underlines his arrogance and self-indulgence, which sets up the contrast between his foolishness and Abigail’s prudence.
  • The timing in this verse is crucial for the events that follow, as Abigail’s decision to wait until morning directly affects how Nabal receives the news and what happens next in the story.

Where else these words appear

“drunken” Hebrew H7910 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
  • Psalms 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.
  • Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

“Abigail” Hebrew H26 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 25:3 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 25:39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
  • 2 Samuel 2:2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.

“Nabal” Hebrew H5037 · used in 18 verses

  • 1 Samuel 25:3 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 25:14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.
  • 1 Samuel 25:38 And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.

“feast” Hebrew H4960 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Esther 2:18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
  • Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.