1 Samuel 25:28
I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.
Original Language Analysis
שָׂ֥א
I pray thee forgive
H5375
שָׂ֥א
I pray thee forgive
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 21
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
נָ֖א
H4994
נָ֖א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 21
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יַעֲשֶׂה֩
make
H6213
יַעֲשֶׂה֩
make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יַעֲשֶׂה֩
make
H6213
יַעֲשֶׂה֩
make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲדֹנִ֣י
because my lord
H113
אֲדֹנִ֣י
because my lord
Strong's:
H113
Word #:
9 of 21
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
בַּ֣יִת
house
H1004
בַּ֣יִת
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
10 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
נֶֽאֱמָ֗ן
a sure
H539
נֶֽאֱמָ֗ן
a sure
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִלְחֲמ֤וֹת
the battles
H4421
מִלְחֲמ֤וֹת
the battles
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
13 of 21
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲדֹנִ֣י
because my lord
H113
אֲדֹנִ֣י
because my lord
Strong's:
H113
Word #:
15 of 21
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
1 Samuel 18:17And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.2 Samuel 7:11And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.1 Chronicles 17:25For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.1 Samuel 24:11Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.1 Chronicles 17:10And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.1 Kings 9:5Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.2 Samuel 7:16And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
Historical Context
The phrase 'sure house' (bayit ne'eman) became technical language for dynastic promise, later explicitly given to David by Nathan. Abigail's use of this language demonstrates prophetic insight beyond ordinary wisdom. Her assessment of David's character reflected widespread recognition of his integrity.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Abigail's vision of David's future inform her appeal?
- What does her prophetic insight teach about recognizing God's purposes in unlikely circumstances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.
Abigail's prophetic insight reaches its climax. Her request for forgiveness maintains humble posture while pivoting to David's future. The phrase 'sure house' (Hebrew 'bayit ne'eman') prophesies dynastic establishment—remarkable from a stranger encountering a fugitive. Her reasoning—'because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD'—identifies David's divine commission. The declaration 'evil hath not been found in thee all thy days' affirms David's integrity while implicitly warning against staining that record. Abigail saw David's destiny and urged him not to compromise it through vengeful violence. Her prophecy echoes Nathan's later dynastic promise (2 Samuel 7).