King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:22 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:22 in the King James Version says “So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that p... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

1 Samuel 25:22 · KJV


Context

20

And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.

21

Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

22

So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

23

And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,

24

And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. audience: Heb. ears


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

David's oath reveals how far anger has carried him. The self-curse formula 'so and more also do God' (Hebrew 'koh ya'aseh elohim') invokes divine punishment on himself if he fails to execute vengeance. The crude phrase 'any that pisseth against the wall' is a Hebrew idiom for males—David swore to kill every male in Nabal's household. This total destruction oath echoes cherem warfare against Canaanites. The phrase 'by the morning light' establishes deadline for completed massacre. David, who spared Saul when God delivered him into his hand, now swore to slaughter an entire household over insults. Anger had transformed the man after God's heart into potential mass murderer. Only Abigail's intervention would prevent this disaster.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Self-curse oaths were binding commitments invoking divine punishment for failure to fulfill. The idiom about males was crude but common in Hebrew texts. David's oath to kill all males represented total household destruction, since women and children without male protection faced severe consequences.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can righteous anger cross the line into sinful oath-making?
  2. What does David's extreme oath teach about the dangers of acting in anger?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְכֹ֣ה1 of 16

So

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יַעֲשֶׂ֧ה2 of 16

also do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֱלֹהִ֛ים3 of 16

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לְאֹֽיְבֵ֥י4 of 16

unto the enemies

H341

hating; an adversary

דָוִ֖ד5 of 16

of David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְכֹ֣ה6 of 16

So

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יֹסִ֑יף7 of 16

and more

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

אִם8 of 16
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אַשְׁאִ֧יר9 of 16

if I leave

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

מִכָּל10 of 16
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר11 of 16
H834

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

ל֛וֹ12 of 16
H0
עַד13 of 16

of all that pertain to him by

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַבֹּ֖קֶר14 of 16

the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

מַשְׁתִּ֥ין15 of 16

any that pisseth

H8366

(causatively) to make water, i.e., urinate

בְּקִֽיר׃16 of 16

against the wall

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)


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 25:22 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 25:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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