King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:5 in the King James Version says “And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet hi...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: greet: Heb. ask him in my name of peace”

1 Samuel 25:5 · KJV

Peace

Context

3

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

4

And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.

5

And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: greet: Heb. ask him in my name of peace

6

And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.

7

And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. hurt: Heb. shamed

Read 1 Samuel 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:

David's approach demonstrates proper protocol. Sending ten representatives shows respectful formality—not demanding personally but requesting through delegation. The Hebrew 'ushe'altem lo leshalom bishmi' (ask him about peace/welfare in my name) employs standard greeting conventions. 'In my name' indicates David claimed relationship enough to warrant formal inquiry about Nabal's wellbeing. The instruction to 'greet' (sha'al leshalom) literally means 'ask about peace'—a blessing formula initiating relationship. David's careful approach models how those in need can make requests with dignity while honoring potential benefactors.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Delegations for formal requests were standard protocol in ancient Near Eastern diplomacy. Ten men represented significant embassy—neither too few to appear casual nor too many to seem threatening. The greeting formula was customary for initiating positive exchange.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you approach others when you need to make requests?
  2. What does David's formal protocol teach about maintaining dignity in dependency?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח1 of 16

“sent out”

H7971

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

דָּוִ֜ד2 of 16

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

עֲשָׂרָ֣ה3 of 16

“ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

לַנְּעָרִ֗ים4 of 16

“unto the young men”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר5 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֜ד6 of 16

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לַנְּעָרִ֗ים7 of 16

“unto the young men”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

עֲל֤וּ8 of 16

“Get you up”

H5927

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

כַרְמֶ֙לָה֙9 of 16

“to Carmel”

H3760

karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine

וּבָאתֶ֣ם10 of 16

“and go”

H935

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

אֶל11 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נָבָ֔ל12 of 16

“to Nabal”

H5037

nabal, an israelite

וּשְׁאֶלְתֶּם13 of 16

“and greet”

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

ל֥וֹ14 of 16
H0
בִשְׁמִ֖י15 of 16

“him in my name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לְשָׁלֽוֹם׃16 of 16
H7965

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

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 25:5 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 25:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 43:231 Samuel 17:22

Places in This Verse

Carmel 1Settlement · Modern: Khirbet el Kirmil · 31.42°N, 35.13°E14 verses across 5 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 25 →

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