1 Samuel 25:33
And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְרוּכָ֣ה
And blessed
H1288
וּבְרוּכָ֣ה
And blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
1 of 13
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
טַעְמֵ֖ךְ
be thy advice
H2940
טַעְמֵ֖ךְ
be thy advice
Strong's:
H2940
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, a taste, i.e., (figuratively) perception; by implication, intelligence; transitively, a mandate
וּבְרוּכָ֣ה
And blessed
H1288
וּבְרוּכָ֣ה
And blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
3 of 13
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כְּלִתִ֜נִי
be thou which hast kept
H3607
כְּלִתִ֜נִי
be thou which hast kept
Strong's:
H3607
Word #:
6 of 13
to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)
הַיּ֤וֹם
me this day
H3117
הַיּ֤וֹם
me this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
מִבּ֣וֹא
from coming
H935
מִבּ֣וֹא
from coming
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
9 of 13
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בְדָמִ֔ים
to shed blood
H1818
בְדָמִ֔ים
to shed blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
10 of 13
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
וְהֹשֵׁ֥עַ
and from avenging
H3467
וְהֹשֵׁ֥עַ
and from avenging
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
Cross References
1 Samuel 25:26Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.Psalms 141:5Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.Proverbs 28:23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.Proverbs 25:12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.Proverbs 17:10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.Proverbs 27:21As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.Proverbs 9:9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.1 Samuel 25:31That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.1 Samuel 24:19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
Historical Context
Blessing a woman's 'advice' was notable in patriarchal culture. David's public acknowledgment that Abigail prevented him from sin demonstrated humility uncommon in ancient kings. His acceptance of her counsel set precedent for their future relationship.
Questions for Reflection
- How receptive are you to advice that contradicts your current intentions?
- What does David's blessing of Abigail's counsel teach about receiving wisdom from unexpected sources?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
David's double blessing extends from God to Abigail's wisdom. The Hebrew 'ta'amek' (your advice/discernment) receives blessing alongside her person. David explicitly acknowledges what Abigail prevented: bloodshed and self-avenging. The phrase 'mine own hand' echoes her words (v. 26), showing he understood and accepted her argument. David recognizes the magnitude of what almost happened—he was minutes from mass murder over insults. His blessing of Abigail's advice validates her bold intervention. This teachable response demonstrates the difference between Nabal (who could not be spoken to) and David (who received correction from a woman and blessed her for it).