1 Samuel 25:34
For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
Original Language Analysis
חַי
liveth
H2416
חַי
liveth
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
2 of 23
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָה֙
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְנָעַ֔נִי
which hath kept me back
H4513
מְנָעַ֔נִי
which hath kept me back
Strong's:
H4513
Word #:
7 of 23
to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury
מֵֽהָרַ֖ע
from hurting
H7489
מֵֽהָרַ֖ע
from hurting
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
אֹתָ֑ךְ
H853
אֹתָ֑ךְ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִהַ֗רְתְּ
thou hadst hasted
H4116
מִהַ֗רְתְּ
thou hadst hasted
Strong's:
H4116
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
וַתָּבֹאתי֙
and come
H935
וַתָּבֹאתי֙
and come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
13 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לִקְרָאתִ֔י
to meet
H7125
לִקְרָאתִ֔י
to meet
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
14 of 23
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
16 of 23
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
נוֹתַ֧ר
me surely there had not been left
H3498
נוֹתַ֧ר
me surely there had not been left
Strong's:
H3498
Word #:
17 of 23
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
19 of 23
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
א֥וֹר
light
H216
א֥וֹר
light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
20 of 23
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
הַבֹּ֖קֶר
by the morning
H1242
הַבֹּ֖קֶר
by the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
Historical Context
David's repetition of his crude oath showed complete honesty about his intentions before meeting Abigail. Such frank acknowledgment of prevented sin was unusual among ancient rulers. His attribution of deliverance to God through Abigail modeled proper response to divine intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- What does David's frank acknowledgment of his intentions reveal about authentic confession?
- How does recognizing 'what almost happened' deepen gratitude for divine prevention?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
David's oath confirms how close disaster came. The formula 'as the LORD God of Israel liveth' solemnizes his acknowledgment. His attribution—'which hath kept me back'—again credits God working through Abigail. The conditional 'except thou hadst hasted' recognizes Abigail's urgency as essential. David repeats his original crude oath about killing all males, not to renew but to reveal what would have happened. The phrase 'by the morning light' maintains the original timeline. This honest acknowledgment of his intended violence demonstrates David's recovered moral clarity. He now sees his own planned action as sin prevented, not justice delayed.