1 Samuel 25:14 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And he railed on them— The Hebrew word ויעט waiiaat, is never used to signify railing, but denotes, he flew at them, like a ravenous bird on its prey: an expression used in almost all languages to denote a violent attack or assault upon any person to abuse and injure him; and it is probable, by David's resentment, that Nabal employed some of his servants to attack them. The same verb is used to denote the sudden, furious, hostile invasion of the prey; ch. 1 Samuel 25:14 and is there rendered by the LXX, "Hast rushed upon the spoil," viz. in order to seize it. The substantive עיט aiiet signifies a bird of prey; so we read, Jeremiah 12:9. The bird with talons; as that place should be rendered.