1 Samuel 25:8
Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.
Original Language Analysis
שְׁאַ֨ל
Ask
H7592
שְׁאַ֨ל
Ask
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
1 of 23
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנְּעָרִ֥ים
thee Wherefore let the young men
H5288
הַנְּעָרִ֥ים
thee Wherefore let the young men
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
3 of 23
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
וְיַגִּ֣ידוּ
and they will shew
H5046
וְיַגִּ֣ידוּ
and they will shew
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
תִּמְצָ֤א
I pray thee whatsoever cometh
H4672
תִּמְצָ֤א
I pray thee whatsoever cometh
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
הַנְּעָרִ֥ים
thee Wherefore let the young men
H5288
הַנְּעָרִ֥ים
thee Wherefore let the young men
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
7 of 23
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
חֵן֙
favour
H2580
חֵן֙
favour
Strong's:
H2580
Word #:
8 of 23
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ
in thine eyes
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ
in thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
9 of 23
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
י֥וֹם
day
H3117
י֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 23
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
ט֖וֹב
in a good
H2896
ט֖וֹב
in a good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
13 of 23
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
בָּ֑נוּ
for we come
H935
בָּ֑נוּ
for we come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
14 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
תְּנָה
give
H5414
תְּנָה
give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
נָּ֗א
H4994
נָּ֗א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
16 of 23
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֵת֩
H853
אֵת֩
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּמְצָ֤א
I pray thee whatsoever cometh
H4672
תִּמְצָ֤א
I pray thee whatsoever cometh
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
יָֽדְךָ֙
to thine hand
H3027
יָֽדְךָ֙
to thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
20 of 23
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
Historical Context
Festive occasions were expected times for generosity to those less fortunate. David's appeal to Nabal's servants for verification shows confidence in his truthful claims. The designation 'thy son' sought patron-client relationship common in ancient Near Eastern society.
Questions for Reflection
- How does David's humble request model appropriate ways of seeking help?
- What does 'whatsoever cometh to thine hand' teach about non-demanding requests?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.
David invites verification and requests generosity. His appeal to 'ask thy young men' demonstrates confidence in his claim—Nabal's own servants would confirm the protection provided. The phrase 'good day' (yom tov) refers to the festive shearing celebration, a culturally appropriate time for generosity. David's humble request—'whatsoever cometh to thine hand'—asks for whatever Nabal considers appropriate, not demanding specific amounts. His self-designation as 'thy son' employs relationship language seeking patronage. The request is remarkable for its restraint: David, anointed king, asks a wealthy subject for table scraps, modeling humility that would later characterize his greater Son.