King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:26 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:26 in the King James Version says “Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. avenging: Heb. saving thyself”

1 Samuel 25:26 · KJV

Context

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

25

Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. regard: Heb. lay it to his heart Nabal: that is, Fool

26

Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. avenging: Heb. saving thyself

27

And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. blessing: or, present follow: Heb. walk at the feet of, etc

28

I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.

Read 1 Samuel 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

Abigail's oath invokes both divine and human life. The double formula 'as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth' solemnly witnesses her declaration. Her assertion that 'the LORD hath withholden thee' interprets their meeting as divine intervention—God Himself prevented David's sin. The phrase 'avenging thyself with thine own hand' identifies David's intended action as self-help vengeance rather than divine justice. Her curse upon David's enemies—'let them be as Nabal'—subtly suggests divine judgment will handle Nabal without David's involvement. This prophetic insight proved accurate: God would indeed strike Nabal.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The oath formula invoking both Yahweh's life and David's life was among the strongest possible affirmations. Abigail's theological interpretation of their meeting as divine prevention revealed prophetic insight. Her curse on David's enemies proved remarkably prescient.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Abigail recognize divine providence in their meeting?
  2. What does 'avenging thyself with thine own hand' teach about the difference between personal vengeance and trusting God's justice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְעַתָּ֣ה1 of 22
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אֲדֹנִ֖י2 of 22

“Now therefore my lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

וְחֵֽי3 of 22

“liveth”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

יְהוָה֙4 of 22

“as the LORD”

H3068

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

וְחֵֽי5 of 22

“liveth”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

נַפְשְׁךָ֙6 of 22

“and as thy soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אֲשֶׁ֨ר7 of 22
H834

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

מְנָֽעֲךָ֤8 of 22

“hath withholden”

H4513

to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury

יְהוָה֙9 of 22

“as the LORD”

H3068

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

מִבּ֣וֹא10 of 22

“thee from coming”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְדָמִ֔ים11 of 22

“to shed blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

וְהוֹשֵׁ֥עַ12 of 22

“and from avenging”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

יָֽדְךָ֖13 of 22

“thyself with thine own hand”

H3027

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

לָ֑ךְ14 of 22
H0
וְעַתָּ֗ה15 of 22
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

יִֽהְי֤וּ16 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְנָבָל֙17 of 22

“be as Nabal”

H5037

nabal, an israelite

אֹֽיְבֶ֔יךָ18 of 22

“now let thine enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

וְהַֽמְבַקְשִׁ֥ים19 of 22

“and they that seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֶל20 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲדֹנִ֖י21 of 22

“Now therefore my lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

רָעָֽה׃22 of 22

“evil”

H7451

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

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 25:26 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 25:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 18:32Romans 12:19-20Genesis 20:6Daniel 4:19Hebrews 10:301 Samuel 25:33-34

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 25 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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