King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:39 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:39 in the King James Version says “And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 25:39 · KJV


Context

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.

40

And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.

41

And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

David's response to Nabal's death combines theological reflection with practical action. His blessing identifies God as the one who 'pleaded the cause' (Hebrew 'rav')—God acted as David's advocate. The phrase 'my reproach' (cherpati) refers to Nabal's insults. God 'kept his servant from evil'—David recognizes his restraint was divinely enabled. The principle 'returned the wickedness...upon his own head' echoes biblical justice: sin rebounds on the sinner. David's immediate marriage proposal to Abigail demonstrates appreciation for her wisdom and character. This swift courtship suggests David had recognized her exceptional qualities during their encounter.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient widows needed protection and provision quickly. David's proposal secured Abigail's future while gaining a remarkably wise wife. His rapid action was culturally appropriate rather than disrespectful to the deceased.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does David's blessing summarize the theological lessons of the entire episode?
  2. What does his immediate proposal to Abigail reveal about his appreciation for wisdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע1 of 32

heard

H8085

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

דָּוִד֙2 of 32

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

כִּ֣י3 of 32
H3588

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

מֵ֣ת4 of 32

was dead

H4191

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

נָבָ֔ל5 of 32

of Nabal

H5037

nabal, an israelite

וַיֹּ֡אמֶר6 of 32

he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בָּר֣וּךְ7 of 32

Blessed

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֖ה8 of 32

be the LORD

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 32
H834

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

רָב֩10 of 32

that hath pleaded

H7378

properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend

אֶת11 of 32
H853

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

רִ֨יב12 of 32

the cause

H7379

a contest (personal or legal)

חֶרְפָּתִ֜י13 of 32

of my reproach

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

מִיַּ֣ד14 of 32

from the 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

נָבָ֔ל15 of 32

of Nabal

H5037

nabal, an israelite

וְאֶת16 of 32
H853

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

עַבְדּוֹ֙17 of 32

his servant

H5650

a servant

חָשַׂ֣ךְ18 of 32

and hath kept

H2820

to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe

רָעַ֣ת19 of 32

from evil

H7451

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

וְאֵת֙20 of 32
H853

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

רָעַ֣ת21 of 32

from evil

H7451

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

נָבָ֔ל22 of 32

of Nabal

H5037

nabal, an israelite

הֵשִׁ֥יב23 of 32

hath returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יְהוָ֖ה24 of 32

be the LORD

H3068

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

בְּרֹאשׁ֑וֹ25 of 32

upon his own head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח26 of 32

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

דָּוִד֙27 of 32

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר28 of 32

and communed

H1696

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

בַּֽאֲבִיגַ֔יִל29 of 32

with Abigail

H26

abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses

לְקַחְתָּ֥הּ30 of 32

to take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

ל֖וֹ31 of 32
H0
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃32 of 32

her to him to wife

H802

a woman


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 25:39 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 25:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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