King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:30 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:30 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concer...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

1 Samuel 25:30 · KJV

Context

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

32

And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

Read 1 Samuel 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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;

Abigail explicitly anticipates David's kingship. The Hebrew 'nagid' (ruler/prince) was the term Samuel used when anointing both Saul (9:16) and David (2 Samuel 5:2). Her confidence that 'the LORD shall have done' (using perfect tense prophetically) treats David's reign as certain. The phrase 'all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee' references divine promises Abigail somehow knew about. Her statement 'appointed thee ruler over Israel' acknowledges David's divine election publicly—bold declaration from a stranger. This woman recognized what Saul denied and what David's wilderness experience might have caused him to doubt.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Abigail's knowledge of divine promises to David could have come through various channels—David's fame, prophetic revelation, or widespread awareness of Samuel's anointing. Her use of 'nagid' employed precise theological vocabulary for Israel's appointed leader.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Abigail demonstrate faith in God's promises to David when circumstances contradicted them?
  2. What encouragement might her confident prediction have provided to the fugitive David?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 15
H1961

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

כִּֽי2 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יַעֲשֶׂ֤ה3 of 15

“shall have done”

H6213

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

יְהוָה֙4 of 15

“And it shall come to pass when the LORD”

H3068

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

לַֽאדֹנִ֔י5 of 15

“to my lord”

H113

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

כְּכֹ֛ל6 of 15
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר7 of 15
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֥ר8 of 15

“that he hath spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶת9 of 15
H853

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

הַטּוֹבָ֖ה10 of 15

“according to all the good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

עָלֶ֑יךָ11 of 15
H5921

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

וְצִוְּךָ֥12 of 15

“concerning thee and shall have appointed”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לְנָגִ֖יד13 of 15

“thee ruler”

H5057

a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes

עַל14 of 15
H5921

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃15 of 15

“over Israel”

H3478

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

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 25:30 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 25:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 13:14Psalms 89:201 Samuel 23:171 Samuel 15:28

Test Your Knowledge

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

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