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 25:39KJV
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1 Samuel 25:39 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 25:39 mean?

1 Samuel 25:39 describes David’s reaction when he learns that Nabal has died. David blesses the LORD for defending him, keeping him from doing wrong, and bringing Nabal’s wrongdoing back on Nabal himself. David then sends messengers to Abigail, Nabal’s widow, asking her to become his wife.

In this verse, David is speaking after hearing of Nabal’s death. Earlier, Nabal had insulted David, and David nearly took revenge, but Abigail intervened and persuaded David not to shed blood. Now, David sees Nabal’s death as God’s judgment and protection for him. David’s decision to marry Abigail also shows respect for her wisdom and character, which had stood out in the earlier story.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 25:39

  • "Pleaded" (רִיב, riv): This word means to contend or argue a case, like in a court. David sees God as having taken up his cause against Nabal, acting as his defender.
  • "Reproach" (חֶרְפָּה, cherpah): This word refers to shame or insult. David thanks God for defending him against the insult he suffered from Nabal.
  • "Kept" (כָּלָא, kala): This word means to restrain or hold back. David recognizes that God prevented him from committing evil by stopping him from taking vengeance himself.
  • "Returned" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to turn back or repay. David believes God has repaid Nabal for his own wickedness, rather than David taking matters into his own hands.

Why 1 Samuel 25:39 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David did not take revenge on Nabal; instead, he credits God with handling the situation justly and keeping him from sin.
  • The verse highlights how Abigail’s earlier intervention was crucial, as it kept David from bloodshed and allowed God’s justice to unfold in His own way.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing David’s trust in God’s judgment and his willingness to wait for God’s timing, rather than forcing his own justice.

Where else these words appear

“Abigail” Hebrew H26 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 25:3 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.
  • 1 Samuel 25:36 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.
  • 2 Samuel 2:2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.

“Nabal” Hebrew H5037 · used in 18 verses

  • 1 Samuel 25:3 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.
  • 1 Samuel 25:14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.
  • 1 Samuel 25:37 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.

“kept” Hebrew H2820 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 20:6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
  • Job 16:6 Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
  • Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

“pleaded” Hebrew H7378 · used in 59 verses

  • Genesis 26:20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
  • Nehemiah 13:17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
  • Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.