25:36 When Abigail went back to Nabal, he was holding a banquet in his house like that of the king. Nabal was having a good time 1 and was very intoxicated. She told him absolutely nothing 2 until morning’s light. 25:37 In the morning, when Nabal was sober, 3 his wife told him about these matters. He had a stroke and was paralyzed. 4 25:38 After about ten days the Lord struck Nabal down and he died.
1 tn Heb “and the heart of Nabal was good upon him”; NASB, NRSV “Nabal’s heart was merry within him”; NIV “he was in high spirits”; NCV, TEV “was in a good mood”; CEV “was very drunk and feeling good.”
2 tn Heb “and she did not tell him a thing, small or large.”
3 tn Heb “when the wine had gone out from Nabal.”
4 tn Heb “and his heart died within him and he became a stone.” Cf. TEV, NLT “stroke”; CEV “heart attack.” For an alternative interpretation than that presented above, see Marjorie O’Rourke Boyle, “The Law of the Heart: The Death of a Fool (1 Samuel 25),” JBL 120 (2001): 401-27, who argues that a medical diagnosis is not necessary here. Instead, the passage makes a connection between the heart and the law; Nabal dies for his lawlessness.