King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:37 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:37 in the King James Version says “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 hi...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 25:37 · KJV

Context

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.

38

And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.

39

And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.

Read 1 Samuel 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Nabal's reaction to belated information proves fatal. The Hebrew 'vayetse hayyayin' (the wine went out) describes sobering up. When Abigail 'told him these things' (et-haddevarim ha'elleh), apparently including both his danger and her intervention, his response was catastrophic. 'His heart died within him' (vayyamot libbo beqirbo) suggests cardiac event or stroke. 'Became as a stone' (vayhi le'aven) describes paralysis or catatonia. Medical and theological interpretations merge: Nabal's physical collapse reflects judgment on his folly. The man whose name meant 'fool' died foolishly—learning only when sober how close he came to destruction through his drunken arrogance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient descriptions of sudden death often described symptoms we might identify as stroke or heart attack. The phrase 'heart died within him' suggests sudden cardiac failure. His stone-like state may indicate paralysis or coma preceding death.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Nabal's reaction to belated news reveal about the burden of realized folly?
  2. How might his physical collapse reflect spiritual and moral condition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 17
H1961

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

בַבֹּ֗קֶר2 of 17

“But it came to pass in the morning”

H1242

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

בְּצֵ֤את3 of 17

“was gone out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הַיַּ֙יִן֙4 of 17

“when the wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

מִנָּבָ֔ל5 of 17

“of Nabal”

H5037

nabal, an israelite

וַתַּגֶּד6 of 17

“had told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

ל֣וֹ7 of 17
H0
אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ8 of 17

“and his wife”

H802

a woman

אֶת9 of 17
H853

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

הַדְּבָרִ֖ים10 of 17

“him these things”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֑לֶּה11 of 17
H428

these or those

וַיָּ֤מָת12 of 17

“died”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

לִבּוֹ֙13 of 17

“that his heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ14 of 17

“within”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

וְה֖וּא15 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הָיָ֥ה16 of 17
H1961

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

לְאָֽבֶן׃17 of 17

“him and he became as a stone”

H68

a stone

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 25:37 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 25:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 15:21-221 Samuel 25:221 Samuel 25:34Deuteronomy 28:28Proverbs 23:29-35

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Samuel 25 with CommentaryAll 1 Samuel ChaptersComplete 1 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes