King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:13 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:13 in the King James Version says “And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also gird... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

1 Samuel 25:13 · KJV


Context

11

Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? flesh: Heb. slaughter

12

So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.

13

And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

14

But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. railed: Heb. flew upon them

15

But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: hurt: Heb. shamed


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

David's response reveals dangerous anger. The Hebrew imperative 'chigru' (gird on) commands battle preparation. David arms himself ('David also girded on his sword') joining his men in combat readiness. The division—four hundred attacking, two hundred guarding supplies ('stuff')—indicates tactical organization for punitive raid. David's instant military response to verbal insult, without prayer or divine consultation, contrasts sharply with his careful inquiry before attacking Philistines (23:2) or sparing Saul (chapter 24). Anger, even justified anger, led David toward action he would later recognize as wrong. Abigail's intervention would prevent disaster.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Military expeditions typically left guards for supplies and camp. The four-hundred-man force represented overwhelming strength against an unfortified household. David's failure to seek divine guidance, unlike his practice before other significant actions, indicates emotional reaction overriding spiritual discipline.

Reflection Questions

  1. What happens when we respond to insults with force rather than seeking God's direction?
  2. How does David's response to Nabal contrast with his patient response to Saul?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 26

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָוִ֗ד2 of 26

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אִ֔ישׁ3 of 26

every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיַּחְגֹּ֥ר4 of 26

And they girded on

H2296

to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)

אִ֔ישׁ5 of 26

every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת6 of 26
H853

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

חַרְבּ֑וֹ7 of 26

his sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וַיַּחְגֹּ֥ר8 of 26

And they girded on

H2296

to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)

אִ֔ישׁ9 of 26

every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת10 of 26
H853

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

חַרְבּ֑וֹ11 of 26

his sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וַיַּחְגֹּ֥ר12 of 26

And they girded on

H2296

to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)

גַּם13 of 26
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

דָוִ֗ד14 of 26

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת15 of 26
H853

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

חַרְבּ֑וֹ16 of 26

his sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וַֽיַּעֲל֣וּ׀17 of 26

and there went up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י18 of 26

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

דָוִ֗ד19 of 26

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

כְּאַרְבַּ֤ע20 of 26

about four

H702

four

וּמָאתַ֖יִם21 of 26

and two hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִ֔ישׁ22 of 26

every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וּמָאתַ֖יִם23 of 26

and two hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

יָֽשְׁב֥וּ24 of 26

abode

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עַל25 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַכֵּלִֽים׃26 of 26

by the stuff

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)


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 25:13 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 25:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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