King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:35 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:35 in the King James Version says “So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I h... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

1 Samuel 25:35 · KJV


Context

33

And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

34

For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

35

So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

36

And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

37

But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

David formally concludes the encounter with acceptance and blessing. Receiving gifts 'from her hand' symbolizes reconciliation. The dismissal 'go up in peace' (Hebrew 'le'i leshalom') grants formal peace and safe passage. His declaration 'I have hearkened to thy voice' acknowledges persuasion accepted. The phrase 'accepted thy person' (Hebrew 'essa panayikh'—literally 'lifted your face') indicates favor granted. David's comprehensive response covered all dimensions: material (receiving gifts), verbal (granting peace), and personal (accepting her). The encounter that began with Abigail prostrate concludes with her 'face lifted'—full restoration of dignity and relationship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase 'lifting the face' was technical language for granting favorable audience and petition. David's formal acceptance of Abigail's person indicated she had found favor beyond the immediate crisis. His dismissal in peace assured her safe return.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'lifting her face' teach about how to respond to those who offer wise counsel?
  2. How did David's comprehensive response honor Abigail's intervention?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּקַּ֤ח1 of 17

received

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

דָּוִד֙2 of 17

So David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מִיָּדָ֔הּ3 of 17

of her 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

אֵ֥ת4 of 17
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר5 of 17
H834

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

הֵבִ֖יאָה6 of 17

that which she had brought

H935

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

ל֑וֹ7 of 17
H0
וְלָ֣הּ8 of 17
H0
אָמַ֗ר9 of 17

him and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עֲלִ֤י10 of 17

unto her Go up

H5927

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

לְשָׁלוֹם֙11 of 17

in peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

לְבֵיתֵ֔ךְ12 of 17

to thine house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

רְאִי֙13 of 17

see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי14 of 17

I have hearkened

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְקוֹלֵ֔ךְ15 of 17

to thy voice

H6963

a voice or sound

וָֽאֶשָּׂ֖א16 of 17

and have accepted

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

פָּנָֽיִךְ׃17 of 17

thy person

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi


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 25:35 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 25:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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