Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 25:25

25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, † regard this man of Belial , even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him : but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send .

His Person and Words deserve thy contempt, but not thy regard.

For such he hath shewed himself to be by this wicked and abominable carriage towards thee.

His noted folly and stupidity is a more proper Object for thy pity than anger. His fordid Answer to thy Servants did not proceed from any ill design, or deep malice, but from brutish So[illegible: 1+ letters]tishness, and want of the understanding of a man in him. It may be thought a great Crime, that she traduceth her Husband in this manner. But this may be said for her, That she told them nothing but what they all knew concerning him, and that she onely seemed to take away that which he never had indeed, to wit, his good name, that she might preserve that which he had, and which was more dear and important to him, even his Life and Soul.

Though I freely submit my self to the Punishment in my Husbands stead, yet I was innocent of the Crime.

Marginal references: ‡ Heb. lay it to his heart.