1 Samuel 25:39

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע

H8085

heard

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

דָּוִד֙

H1732

And David

david, the youngest son of jesse

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מֵ֣ת

H4191

was dead

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

נָבָ֔ל

H5037

of Nabal

nabal, an israelite

וַיֹּ֡אמֶר

H559

he said

to say (used with great latitude)

בָּר֣וּךְ

H1288

Blessed

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

H3068

be the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#10

רָב֩

H7378

that hath pleaded

properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend

#11

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#12

רִ֨יב

H7379

the cause

a contest (personal or legal)

#13

חֶרְפָּתִ֜י

H2781

of my reproach

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

#14

מִיַּ֣ד

H3027

from the hand

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

#15

נָבָ֔ל

H5037

of Nabal

nabal, an israelite

#16

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

עַבְדּוֹ֙

H5650

his servant

a servant

#18

חָשַׂ֣ךְ

H2820

and hath kept

to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe

#19

רָעַ֣ת

H7451

from evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#20

וְאֵת֙

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#21

רָעַ֣ת

H7451

from evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#22

נָבָ֔ל

H5037

of Nabal

nabal, an israelite

#23

הֵשִׁ֥יב

H7725

hath returned

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#24

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

be the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#25

בְּרֹאשׁ֑וֹ

H7218

upon his own head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#26

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח

H7971

sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#27

דָּוִד֙

H1732

And David

david, the youngest son of jesse

#28

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר

H1696

and communed

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#29

בַּֽאֲבִיגַ֔יִל

H26

with Abigail

abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses

#30

לְקַחְתָּ֥הּ

H3947

to take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

#31

ל֖וֹ

#32

לְאִשָּֽׁה׃

H802

her to him to wife

a woman

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Samuel.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

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