King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:1 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:1 in the King James Version says “And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.”

1 Samuel 25:1 · KJV

Context

1

And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

2

And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. possessions: or, business

3

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

Samuel's death marks the end of an era in Israel's history. The Hebrew 'vayyeasefu' (gathered together) describes national assembly for mourning—all Israel recognized Samuel's significance. The phrase 'lamented him' (vayispedu lo) indicates formal mourning rituals. Burial 'in his house' followed ancient practice of family tombs within residential compounds. David's departure to Paran, far south toward Sinai, suggests the prophet's death removed a protective presence. Samuel had anointed David and provided spiritual covering; now David moved deeper into wilderness, away from Israel's center. The transition from Samuel's death to David's journey foreshadows the leadership transition Samuel initiated but would not see completed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Samuel had served as prophet, priest, and judge for decades, guiding Israel through the transition to monarchy. Ramah was his lifelong home and the site of his prophetic ministry. The wilderness of Paran was distant territory near Sinai, suggesting David sought maximum distance from Saul.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the loss of a spiritual mentor affect those who depended on their guidance?
  2. What does David's movement after Samuel's death teach about navigating seasons of transition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיָּ֣מָת1 of 16

“died”

H4191

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

שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל2 of 16

“And Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

וַיִּקָּֽבְצ֤וּ3 of 16

“were gathered together”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

כָל4 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙5 of 16

“and all the Israelites”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיִּסְפְּדוּ6 of 16

“and lamented”

H5594

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

ל֔וֹ7 of 16
H0
וַיִּקְבְּרֻ֥הוּ8 of 16

“him and buried”

H6912

to inter

בְּבֵית֖וֹ9 of 16

“him in his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

בָּֽרָמָ֑ה10 of 16

“at Ramah”

H7414

ramah, the name of four places in palestine

וַיָּ֣קָם11 of 16

“arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

דָּוִ֔ד12 of 16

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיֵּ֖רֶד13 of 16

“and went down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אֶל14 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִדְבַּ֥ר15 of 16

“to the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

פָּארָֽן׃16 of 16

“of Paran”

H6290

paran, a desert of arabia

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 25:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 25:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 28:3Deuteronomy 34:8Numbers 20:292 Chronicles 33:20Genesis 21:21Numbers 10:12

Places in This Verse

ParanRegion · Modern: Paran · 30.30°N, 34.78°E8 verses across 5 books
Ramah 4Settlement · Modern: Al Ram · 31.85°N, 35.23°E13 verses across 1 book
View all places in 1 Samuel 25 →

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