The wife and servants of Nabal would know what this proverb speaks of (see 1 Samuel 25:1–44). Whereas Abigail recognized that the Lord would soon make David king (1 Samuel 25:30), her husband Nabal mockingly asked, “Who is this David?” (1 Samuel 25:10). One of the servants said to Abigail, “He [Nabal] is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him” (1 Samuel 25:17).
When this proverb speaks of the “provocation” caused by a fool, the word can also be translated as “grief” or “sorrow.” Such words certainly apply to Abigail, whose marriage to Nabal caused her much sorrow and distress.
Keep in mind that Scripture does not call someone a fool because he does silly things. Silly things are also done by “simple” people (see Proverbs 14:15, for example). Rather, Scripture calls someone a fool because he lives a wicked, godless life (Isaiah 32:6). A fool is someone who does not reckon with the Lord (Psalm 53:1–2).
Besides the example of Nabal, one can also think of fools who hold high positions (Ecclesiastes 10:6), or of foolish prophets by whom many are led astray (Jeremiah 5:21). Indeed, carrying stones and sand is hard work. But it is not nearly as heavy a burden as the grief that is caused by fools who hold power within the church and the world.
3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.