1 Samuel 25:39
And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע
heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 32
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 32
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵ֣ת
was dead
H4191
מֵ֣ת
was dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
4 of 32
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בָּר֣וּךְ
Blessed
H1288
בָּר֣וּךְ
Blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
7 of 32
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
יְהוָ֖ה
be the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
be the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
רָב֩
that hath pleaded
H7378
רָב֩
that hath pleaded
Strong's:
H7378
Word #:
10 of 32
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִיַּ֣ד
from the hand
H3027
מִיַּ֣ד
from the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
14 of 32
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חָשַׂ֣ךְ
and hath kept
H2820
חָשַׂ֣ךְ
and hath kept
Strong's:
H2820
Word #:
18 of 32
to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הֵשִׁ֥יב
hath returned
H7725
הֵשִׁ֥יב
hath returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
23 of 32
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יְהוָ֖ה
be the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
be the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
24 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּרֹאשׁ֑וֹ
upon his own head
H7218
בְּרֹאשׁ֑וֹ
upon his own head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
25 of 32
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
26 of 32
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר
and communed
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר
and communed
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
28 of 32
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בַּֽאֲבִיגַ֔יִל
with Abigail
H26
בַּֽאֲבִיגַ֔יִל
with Abigail
Strong's:
H26
Word #:
29 of 32
abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses
Cross References
Proverbs 22:23For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.1 Samuel 25:34For 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.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 7:16His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.1 Kings 2:44The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;1 Samuel 24:15The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.1 Samuel 25:32And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:
Historical Context
Ancient widows needed protection and provision quickly. David's proposal secured Abigail's future while gaining a remarkably wise wife. His rapid action was culturally appropriate rather than disrespectful to the deceased.
Questions for Reflection
- How does David's blessing summarize the theological lessons of the entire episode?
- What does his immediate proposal to Abigail reveal about his appreciation for wisdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
David's response to Nabal's death combines theological reflection with practical action. His blessing identifies God as the one who 'pleaded the cause' (Hebrew 'rav')—God acted as David's advocate. The phrase 'my reproach' (cherpati) refers to Nabal's insults. God 'kept his servant from evil'—David recognizes his restraint was divinely enabled. The principle 'returned the wickedness...upon his own head' echoes biblical justice: sin rebounds on the sinner. David's immediate marriage proposal to Abigail demonstrates appreciation for her wisdom and character. This swift courtship suggests David had recognized her exceptional qualities during their encounter.