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Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/25-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/09_1Sa_25_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 25:21 - Abigail Intercedes for Nabal" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now David had just finished saying, In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/25-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/25-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/25.htm">Chapter 25</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/25-20.htm" title="1 Samuel 25:20">◄</a> 1 Samuel 25:21 <a href="/1_samuel/25-22.htm" title="1 Samuel 25:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_samuel/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/25.htm">New International Version</a> David had just said, &#8220It&#8217s been useless—all my watching over this fellow&#8217s property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/25.htm">New Living Translation</a> David had just been saying, “A lot of good it did to help this fellow. We protected his flocks in the wilderness, and nothing he owned was lost or stolen. But he has repaid me evil for good. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/25.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now David had just said, “In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/25.htm">King James Bible</a> Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/25.htm">New King James Version</a> Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now David had said, “It is certainly for nothing that I have guarded everything that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing has gone missing of all that belonged to him! For he has returned me evil for good. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/25.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now David had said, &#8220Surely in vain I have guarded all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him; and he has returned me evil for good. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have guarded all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him; and he has returned me evil for good. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now David had said, “Surely for a lie I have guarded all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him; and he has returned me evil for good. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have protected and guarded all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missing of all that belonged to him; and he has repaid me evil for good. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> David had just said, “I guarded everything that belonged to this man in the wilderness for nothing. He was not missing anything, yet he paid me back evil for good. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> David had just said, &#8220I guarded everything that belonged to this man in the wilderness for nothing. He was not missing anything, yet he paid me back evil for good. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/25.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath returned me evil for good. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> David had just been saying, "I surely wasted my time guarding Nabal's things in the desert and keeping them from being stolen! I was good to him, and now he pays me back with insults. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/25.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath returned me evil for good. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> David had thought, "I guarded this man's stuff in the desert for nothing! Not one of his possessions was missing. Yet, he has paid me back with evil when I was good to him. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/25.htm">Good News Translation</a> David had been thinking, "Why did I ever protect that fellow's property out here in the wilderness? Not a thing that belonged to him was stolen, and this is how he pays me back for the help I gave him! <a href="/isv/1_samuel/25.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now David had said, "Surely it was for nothing that I protected everything that belonged to this man in the wilderness, and nothing was missing of all that belonged to him. But he has repaid me with evil for good! <a href="/msb/1_samuel/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now David had just said, ?In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good. <a href="/net/1_samuel/25.htm">NET Bible</a> Now David had been thinking, "In vain I guarded everything that belonged to this man in the desert. I didn't take anything from him. But he has repaid my good with evil. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now David had said, "Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him. He has returned me evil for good. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> (Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this man hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him: and he hath requited me evil for good. <a href="/web/1_samuel/25.htm">World English Bible</a> Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have kept all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him. He has returned me evil for good. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And David said, “Surely in vain I have kept all that this [one] has in the wilderness, and nothing has been looked after of all that he has, and he turns back to me evil for good; <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And David said, 'Only, in vain I have kept all that this one hath in the wilderness, and nothing hath been looked after of all that he hath, and he turneth back to me evil for good; <a href="/slt/1_samuel/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> (And David said, Surely in vain did I watch all which was to this one in the desert, and not any thing was missed from all which was to him; and he will turn back to me evil for good.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And David said: Truly in vain have I kept all that belonged to this man in the wilderness, and nothing was lost of all that pertained unto him: and he hath returned me evil for good. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And David said: “Truly, in vain have I preserved all that was his in the wilderness, so that nothing perished out of all that belonged to him. And he has repaid evil to me for good. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/25.htm">New American Bible</a> David had just been saying: “Indeed, it was in vain that I guarded all this man’s possessions in the wilderness, so that nothing of his was missing. He has repaid good with evil. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now David had said, “Surely it was in vain that I protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him; but he has returned me evil for good.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now David had said, Surely in vain have we guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missing of all that belonged to him; and he has rewarded us evil for good. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And David said: “For nothing we protected everything that he had in the wilderness, and we did not allow a thing to be lost of all that he had, and he paid us evil for the sake of good<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Now David had said: 'Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him; and he hath returned me evil for good. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And David said, Perhaps I have kept all his possessions in the wilderness that he should wrong me, and we did not order the taking anything of all his goods; yet he has rewarded me evil for good. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/25-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=7506" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/25.htm">Abigail Intercedes for Nabal</a> …20As Abigail came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming down toward her, and she met them. 21<a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: wə·ḏā·wiḏ (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">Now David</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">had just</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">finished saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8267.htm" title="8267: laš·še·qer (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Deception, disappointment, falsehood. From shaqar; an untruth; by implication, a sham.">“In vain</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">I have protected</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: lā·zeh (Prep-l:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">belonged to this man</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: bam·miḏ·bār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">in the wilderness.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: mik·kāl (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">belongs to him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3972.htm" title="3972: mə·’ū·māh (N-ms) -- Anything. Apparently a form of m'uwm; properly, a speck or point, i.e. something; with negative, nothing."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6485.htm" title="6485: nip̄·qaḏ (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To attend to, visit, muster, appoint. A primitive root; to visit; by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.">has gone missing,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šeḇ- (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">yet he has paid me back</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘āh (Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·w·ḇāh (N-fs) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">good.</a> 22May God punish David, and ever so severely, if I let one of Nabal’s men survive until morning.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/34-25.htm">Genesis 34:25-31</a> Three days later, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons (Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi) took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and slaughtered every male. / They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went away. / Jacob’s other sons came upon the slaughter and looted the city, because their sister had been defiled. ... <a href="/genesis/27-41.htm">Genesis 27:41</a> Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” <a href="/2_samuel/16-5.htm">2 Samuel 16:5-13</a> As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. / And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ... <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">2 Samuel 20:1-2</a> Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” / So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. <a href="/1_kings/21-4.htm">1 Kings 21:4</a> So Ahab went to his palace, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had told him, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat. <a href="/proverbs/20-22.htm">Proverbs 20:22</a> Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you. <a href="/proverbs/24-29.htm">Proverbs 24:29</a> Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.” <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:9</a> Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool. <a href="/matthew/5-39.htm">Matthew 5:39-41</a> But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; / if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; / and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Matthew 18:21-22</a> Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! <a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-29</a> But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. / If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. <a href="/luke/9-54.htm">Luke 9:54-56</a> When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” / But Jesus turned and rebuked them. / And He and His disciples went on to another village. <a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Romans 12:17-21</a> Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ... <a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">1 Corinthians 13:4-5</a> Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. <a href="/ephesians/4-26.htm">Ephesians 4:26-27</a> “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, / and do not give the devil a foothold.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him: and he has requited me evil for good.Surely<a href="/1_samuel/25-13.htm">1 Samuel 25:13</a> And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.<a href="/job/30-8.htm">Job 30:8</a> They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.<a href="/psalms/37-8.htm">Psalm 37:8</a> Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.he hath requited<a href="/genesis/44-4.htm">Genesis 44:4</a> And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?<a href="/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12</a> They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.<a href="/psalms/38-20.htm">Psalm 38:20</a> They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/21-7.htm">Belonged</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-2.htm">Care</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-20.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-17.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-7.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/judges/18-25.htm">Loss</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-15.htm">Missed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-15.htm">Missing</a> <a href="/judges/11-28.htm">Paid</a> <a href="/judges/6-11.htm">Pertained</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-2.htm">Property</a> <a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Requited</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-20.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">Use</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-21.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-39.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-9.htm">Watching</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/27-6.htm">Belonged</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm">Care</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-22.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-1.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-26.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/ezra/4-13.htm">Loss</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-19.htm">Missed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-19.htm">Missing</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-29.htm">Paid</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-15.htm">Pertained</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-6.htm">Property</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-33.htm">Requited</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-34.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">Use</a> <a href="/job/15-3.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-20.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-1.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-16.htm">Watching</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-2.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 25</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Samuel dies</a> 2. <a href="/1_samuel/25-2.htm">David in Paran sends to Nabal</a> 10. <a href="/1_samuel/25-10.htm">Provoked by Nabal's rudeness, he minds to destroy him</a> 14. <a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">Abigail understanding thereof</a> 18. <a href="/1_samuel/25-18.htm">takes a present</a> 23. <a href="/1_samuel/25-23.htm">and by her wisdom</a> 32. <a href="/1_samuel/25-32.htm">pacifies David</a> 36. <a href="/1_samuel/25-36.htm">Nabal hearing thereof, dies</a> 39. <a href="/1_samuel/25-39.htm">David takes Abigail and Ahinoam to be his wives</a> 44. <a href="/1_samuel/25-44.htm">Michal is given to Phalti</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Now David had just said David, the future king of Israel, is in a period of exile, fleeing from King Saul. This phrase indicates a moment of reflection and decision-making. David's words are a response to the insult and refusal of hospitality by Nabal, a wealthy but foolish man. This context highlights David's human emotions and the challenges he faces in leadership and justice.“In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. David and his men had been acting as a protective force for Nabal's shepherds and flocks in the wilderness of Paran. This protection was not a formal agreement but a common practice of mutual benefit in ancient Near Eastern culture. David's statement of "in vain" reflects his frustration and sense of betrayal, as he expected some form of compensation or gratitude for his services.Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, David emphasizes the integrity and effectiveness of his protection. In a time and place where theft and raids were common, David's assurance that nothing was lost under his watch speaks to his leadership and the discipline of his men. This also underscores the righteousness of David's actions compared to Nabal's ingratitude.yet he has paid me back evil for good. This phrase captures the moral and ethical tension in the narrative. David's good deeds are met with Nabal's evil response, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. This concept of repaying evil for good is addressed in other biblical passages, such as <a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Romans 12:17</a> and <a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a>, which encourage believers to respond to evil with good. David's reaction here foreshadows the teachings of Jesus Christ, who exemplified forgiveness and grace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, who is currently on the run from King Saul. In this chapter, he is dealing with the insult from Nabal. 2. <a href="/topical/n/nabal.htm">Nabal</a> A wealthy but foolish man whose name means "fool" in Hebrew. He refuses to provide for David and his men, despite their protection of his shepherds and flocks. 3. <a href="/topical/a/abigail.htm">Abigail</a> Nabal's wise and discerning wife who intervenes to prevent David from taking vengeance on Nabal and his household. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a> The region where David and his men are hiding and where they have been protecting Nabal's shepherds and flocks. 5. <a href="/topical/c/carmel.htm">Carmel</a> The place where Nabal's business and wealth are centered, and where the events of this chapter unfold.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_impulsive_reactions.htm">The Danger of Impulsive Reactions</a> David's initial reaction to Nabal's insult is one of anger and a desire for revenge. This serves as a reminder of the importance of self-control and seeking God's guidance before acting. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_wise_counsel.htm">The Role of Wise Counsel</a> Abigail's intervention highlights the value of wise and discerning counsel. Surrounding ourselves with godly advisors can prevent us from making rash decisions. <a href="/topical/r/repaying_good_for_evil.htm">Repaying Good for Evil</a> David's experience with Nabal teaches us the importance of not repaying evil for good. As Christians, we are called to a higher standard of conduct, reflecting God's grace and mercy. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty in Justice</a> Ultimately, God deals with Nabal, demonstrating that vengeance belongs to the Lord. Trusting in God's justice can free us from the burden of seeking personal revenge.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 25</a> <a href="/q/why_did_david_threaten_violence_here.htm">1 Samuel 25:21–22 – Why would David, future king, threaten such violence over a refusal of hospitality, seemingly contradicting biblical ethics of mercy? </a> <a href="/q/how_did_elhanan_kill_goliath,_not_david.htm">In 2 Samuel 21:19, how could Elhanan have killed Goliath when David is credited with that feat in 1 Samuel 17?</a> <a href="/q/why_wasn't_david_punished_for_lying.htm">Why did God not condemn or punish David for lying to Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1-2)?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_high_priest_when_david_ate.htm">Who was high priest when David ate the showbread? (Mark 2:26 vs. 1 Samuel 21:1)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) Now David had said.--This verse and the following (22nd) must be understood as a kind of parenthesis in the narrative. They express what David felt, and, as it were, his justification in his own mind for the violent and vengeful act he was about to carry out. The argument was, Nabal had returned indeed evil for good. For a long time David's band had guarded faithfully his vast scattered flocks, and had preserved them safely, and now, when he asked a small favour in return, the churl repaid him by throwing in his teeth the taunt that he was a rebel and a runaway slave.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 21, 22. - David justifies his fierce anger by referring to the services he had rendered Nabal, and which had been requited so shabbily. For the phrase so do God unto the enemies of David see on 1 Samuel 20:16. A superstitious feeling probably lay at the root of this substitution of David's enemies for himself when thus invoking a curse. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/25-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now David וְדָוִ֣ד (wə·ḏā·wiḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse had just אַךְ֩ (’aḵ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> A particle of affirmation, surely finished saying, אָמַ֗ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “In vain לַשֶּׁ֨קֶר (laš·še·qer) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8267.htm">Strong's 8267: </a> Deception, disappointment, falsehood I have protected שָׁמַ֜רְתִּי (šā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every that אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that belonged to this man לָזֶה֙ (lā·zeh) Preposition-l | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that in the wilderness בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר (bam·miḏ·bār) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> A pasture, a desert, speech so that nothing וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no was missed נִפְקַ֥ד (nip̄·qaḏ) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6485.htm">Strong's 6485: </a> To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit of all מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every that אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that [belongs] to him, ל֖וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> yet he has paid me back וַיָּֽשֶׁב־ (way·yā·šeḇ-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again evil רָעָ֖ה (rā·‘āh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil for תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> The bottom, below, in lieu of good. טוֹבָֽה׃ (ṭō·w·ḇāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-21.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 25:21 Now David had said Surely in vain (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/25-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 25:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 25:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/25-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 25:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 25:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>