King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:6 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:6 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 25:6 · KJV

Peace

Context

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

8

Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.

Read 1 Samuel 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

David's threefold peace blessing expresses comprehensive goodwill. The Hebrew 'lechai' (to him who lives/to the living one) addresses Nabal's prosperity. The tripartite blessing—'peace to thee, peace to thine house, peace to all that thou hast'—covers person, family, and possessions. The Hebrew 'shalom' connotes wholeness and flourishing, not merely absence of conflict. This generous blessing preceded any request, establishing David's goodwill. The irony deepens when Nabal responds to blessing with cursing. David's blessing formula resembles priestly benedictions, positioning his request within covenant relationship rather than mere transaction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Blessing formulas were taken seriously in ancient Israel as potentially efficacious words. The threefold pattern echoes priestly blessing structures. Such elaborate greetings established relational context before business discussions began.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you bless others before making requests of them?
  2. What does this greeting pattern teach about establishing relational context for business dealings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַֽאֲמַרְתֶּ֥ם1 of 11

“And thus shall ye say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֖ה2 of 11
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

לֶחָ֑י3 of 11

“to him that liveth”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְאַתָּ֤ה4 of 11
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שָׁלֽוֹם׃5 of 11

“and peace”

H7965

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

וּבֵֽיתְךָ֣6 of 11

“be to thine house”

H1004

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

שָׁלֽוֹם׃7 of 11

“and peace”

H7965

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

וְכֹ֥ל8 of 11
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר9 of 11
H834

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

לְךָ֖10 of 11
H0
שָׁלֽוֹם׃11 of 11

“and peace”

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 25:6 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 25:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 122:71 Chronicles 12:181 Timothy 5:6Luke 10:52 Thessalonians 3:16Matthew 10:12-13

Test Your Knowledge

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

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