1 Samuel 25:27
And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּה֙
H6258
הַבְּרָכָ֣ה
And now this blessing
H1293
הַבְּרָכָ֣ה
And now this blessing
Strong's:
H1293
Word #:
2 of 12
benediction; by implication prosperity
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֵבִ֥יא
hath brought
H935
הֵבִ֥יא
hath brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
5 of 12
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שִׁפְחָֽתְךָ֖
which thine handmaid
H8198
שִׁפְחָֽתְךָ֖
which thine handmaid
Strong's:
H8198
Word #:
6 of 12
a female slave (as a member of the household)
וְנִתְּנָה֙
let it even be given
H5414
וְנִתְּנָה֙
let it even be given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לַנְּעָרִ֔ים
unto the young men
H5288
לַנְּעָרִ֔ים
unto the young men
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
9 of 12
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
הַמִּֽתְהַלְּכִ֖ים
that follow
H1980
הַמִּֽתְהַלְּכִ֖ים
that follow
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Genesis 33:11Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.1 Samuel 30:26And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;2 Kings 5:15And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
Historical Context
Presenting gifts as 'blessing' was customary in ancient Near Eastern diplomacy, elevating material exchange to relational gesture. Abigail's direction of provisions to David's men showed practical wisdom about his immediate needs.
Questions for Reflection
- How does framing gifts as 'blessings' change their significance?
- What does Abigail's attention to David's men reveal about understanding others' true needs?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.
Abigail presents her provisions as 'blessing' (Hebrew 'berakah'), transforming material gifts into spiritual category. The Hebrew term connotes more than mere present—it carries connotations of favor and goodwill. Her request that it be given to 'the young men' rather than David personally demonstrates understanding of his situation: a leader must provision his followers. The phrase 'that follow my lord' (Hebrew 'haholekim beraglei adoni'—literally 'walking at my lord's feet') acknowledges David's legitimate leadership. Her gift addressed the practical need that motivated David's original request while reframing the transaction from demand to blessing.