King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:29 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:29 in the King James Version says “Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life wi... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling. as out: Heb. in the midst of the bought of a sling

1 Samuel 25:29 · KJV


Context

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.

29

Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling. as out: Heb. in the midst of the bought of a sling

30

And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;

31

That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid. no grief: Heb. no staggering, or, stumbling


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.

Abigail's language ascends to poetic prophecy. The 'man risen to pursue thee' is Saul, though unnamed. The metaphor 'bundle of life' (Hebrew 'tseror hachayim') depicts David's soul tied securely with God—later used in Jewish burial liturgy. The contrasting image—enemies 'slung out'—may allude to David's defeat of Goliath with a sling. The Hebrew 'qela' (sling) creates vivid picture: as stones leave the sling with centrifugal force, so God will cast out David's enemies. Abigail's poetry combines comfort regarding Saul with warning about current intentions: David's soul is secure with God; why risk that security through sinful vengeance?

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'bundle of life' metaphor appears only here in the Hebrew Bible but became significant in Jewish tradition. The sling imagery connected to David's most famous victory. Abigail's poetic language demonstrated sophisticated theological reflection.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'bound in the bundle of life' communicate about security in God?
  2. How does Abigail's contrast between David's security and his enemies' fate reinforce her appeal?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיָּ֤קָם1 of 22

is risen

H6965

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

אָדָם֙2 of 22

Yet a man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

לִרְדָפְךָ֔3 of 22

to pursue

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

וּלְבַקֵּ֖שׁ4 of 22

thee and to seek

H1245

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

אֶת5 of 22
H853

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

נֶ֤פֶשׁ6 of 22

and the souls

H5315

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

וְֽהָיְתָה֩7 of 22
H1961

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

נֶ֤פֶשׁ8 of 22

and the souls

H5315

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

אֲדֹנִ֜י9 of 22

of my lord

H113

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

צְרוּרָ֣ה׀10 of 22

shall be bound

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

בִּצְר֣וֹר11 of 22

in the bundle

H6872

a parcel (as packed up); also a kernel or particle (as if a package)

הַֽחַיִּ֗ים12 of 22

of life

H2416

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

אֵ֚ת13 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

יְהוָ֣ה14 of 22

with the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ15 of 22

thy 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

וְאֵ֨ת16 of 22
H853

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

נֶ֤פֶשׁ17 of 22

and the souls

H5315

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

אֹֽיְבֶ֙יךָ֙18 of 22

of thine enemies

H341

hating; an adversary

יְקַלְּעֶ֔נָּה19 of 22

them shall he sling out

H7049

to sling; also to carve (as if a circular motion, or into light forms)

בְּת֖וֹךְ20 of 22

as out of the middle

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

כַּ֥ף21 of 22
H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

הַקָּֽלַע׃22 of 22

of a sling

H7050

a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself


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 25:29 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 25:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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