1 Samuel 25 1

1 Samuel 25:1 kjv

And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

1 Samuel 25:1 nkjv

Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him at his home in Ramah. And David arose and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.

1 Samuel 25:1 niv

Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David moved down into the Desert of Paran.

1 Samuel 25:1 esv

Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. David and Abigail Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

1 Samuel 25:1 nlt

Now Samuel died, and all Israel gathered for his funeral. They buried him at his house in Ramah. Nabal Angers David Then David moved down to the wilderness of Maon.

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 1 Meaning

1 Samuel 25:1 chronicles the profound passing of Samuel, Israel's venerable prophet and last judge. His death precipitated widespread national grief and mourning throughout Israel, underscoring his pivotal role in their spiritual and political life. The verse then marks a crucial transition for David, who immediately moves to the harsh wilderness of Paran, signaling a new, more solitary phase in his fugitive journey and impending kingship, devoid of Samuel's guiding presence.

1 Samuel 25 1 Context

h2ContextThis verse is a crucial hinge in the Book of 1 Samuel, strategically placed after the emotional encounter in Chapter 24 where David spares Saul’s life. Saul had briefly acknowledged David’s future kingship, but his unstable nature hinted that this reconciliation might be fleeting. The death of Samuel, the venerable prophet and judge who anointed both Saul and David, marks the definitive end of an era – the period of the judges and Samuel's prophetic oversight. His death creates a significant political and spiritual vacuum in Israel. For David, it means the removal of the last great spiritual authority figure who could potentially mediate or restrain Saul's erratic behavior. David’s subsequent move to the wilderness of Paran underscores his continued need for refuge from Saul's relentless pursuit. This desert environment serves as a crucible, further refining David's character and preparing him for the weighty responsibilities of kingship, relying solely on God's provision.

1 Samuel 25 1 Word analysis

h2Word analysis

• And Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל - Shemu'el) died: The name Samuel means "heard of God" or "His name is El (God)". His death marks a seismic event. Samuel was a towering figure in Israel's history—a prophet, judge, priest-like figure, and king-maker. His demise symbolizes the definitive end of the "Judges" period and the full, albeit tumultuous, transition into the monarchy. The emphasis on his death highlights the conclusion of God's direct word through Samuel for the nation's leadership transition.

• and all the Israelites assembled (וַיִּקָּהֲל֣וּ - vayyiqqāhălû) and mourned (וַיִּסְפְּד֥וּ - vayyispĕdû) for him: "Assembled" indicates a national gathering, signifying the magnitude of his influence and the unity in their grief. "Mourned" (from sâphad) implies a deep, public wailing and lamentation, consistent with the profound cultural respect for national figures. This widespread lamentation mirrors the mourning for Moses (Deut 34:8) and Aaron (Num 20:29), placing Samuel in the highest echelon of Israel's spiritual leaders.

• and they buried (וַיִּקְבְּרֻ֣הוּ - vayyiqbĕrûhû) him in his house (בְּבֵיתוֹ - bəvêṭô) at Ramah (הָרָמָה - hârāmâh): The burial "in his house" signifies a personal family burial plot, likely on his own property, suggesting an honorable and permanent resting place rather than a common burial ground. This points to his respected status and his lifelong devotion to Ramah, which was his hometown and center of his judgeship (1 Sam 7:17). Ramah, meaning "height," reflects his exalted spiritual position.

• Then David rose (וַיָּקָם דָּוִד - vayyāqām Dāwîd) and went down (וַיֵּרֶד - vayyēred) to the wilderness of Paran (מִדְבַּר פָּארָן - midbar Pârân): "Rose" indicates an immediate, decisive action by David, reacting to Samuel's death. It marks a shift, a necessity to move on. "Went down" is a geographical descriptor; Paran is in the southern arid region. The "wilderness of Paran" is a vast desert area stretching south of Judah towards Sinai. Biblically, wilderness (midbar) is often a place of divine encounter, testing, refuge, and purification (e.g., Exod 19:1; Matt 4:1). For David, it represented a strategic retreat into a more remote and desolate region, further from Saul's reach. It symbolizes David’s increasing isolation and reliance on God as the prophetic mentor who legitimized his anointing is gone.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And Samuel died; and all the Israelites assembled and mourned for him; and they buried him in his house at Ramah.": This entire clause functions as a monumental pivot. It definitively closes the era of Samuel, establishing the depth of his impact through national mourning and the honor of his burial. It emphasizes the communal acknowledgment of his greatness before transitioning to David's personal journey.
  • "Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran.": This clause immediately links David's actions to Samuel's death. David's response is not one of static mourning, but of strategic movement, signifying his understanding of the changed political landscape. The transition to the desolate wilderness highlights his continued fugitive status and the upcoming trials he will face without Samuel’s immediate presence as a spiritual and moral buffer.

1 Samuel 25 1 Bonus section

h2Bonus sectionThe placement of Samuel’s death immediately after David’s display of grace towards Saul in chapter 24 is not accidental. It subtly highlights that Saul's repentance was shallow and transient. Without Samuel, Saul now truly operates without a check on his increasingly paranoid and destructive impulses. This compels David into a situation of heightened vulnerability and self-reliance, pushing him into more direct conflict scenarios like the one with Nabal. Samuel's prophetic mantle does not pass directly to David in the same visible manner as Elijah to Elisha, underscoring that David's anointing as king, while initially facilitated by a prophet, now moves into a different realm of divine implementation, relying more on David’s personal faith and God’s direct providence in his life. Samuel’s life concluded with steadfast faithfulness, providing a powerful contrast to Saul’s continued descent, and setting a moral standard for David's future reign.

1 Samuel 25 1 Commentary

h2Commentary1 Samuel 25:1 is far more than a simple chronological update; it’s a theological and political linchpin. Samuel's death signals the end of a pivotal epoch—the last effective judge who uniquely combined prophetic and priestly functions to guide Israel into nationhood. The nationwide lament highlights his immense moral authority and the vacuum left by his departure. For David, this event is profoundly significant. Having been anointed by Samuel, David lost his primary divine endorsement and potential intercessor who could influence Saul or offer counsel. His immediate movement to the harsh wilderness of Paran underscores the gravity of this shift. It positions David in a vulnerable, yet strategically isolated, environment—a familiar biblical pattern for leaders being tested and refined by God before taking power. Without Samuel, David's reliance on God and his own emerging leadership would be unequivocally proven in the trials to come, notably the interactions with Nabal and Abigail in the rest of the chapter. It implies that from this point forward, David would operate under direct divine guidance and develop a greater self-reliance, rather than leaning on any earthly mediator.

• Example for Practical Usage:
  • Recognize that divine plans unfold even through losses; Samuel's death paved the way for David's independent reliance on God.
  • Understand that periods of "wilderness" can be essential for spiritual growth and preparation for leadership, just as they were for David.
  • Learn to grieve losses (like Samuel's passing) but then actively move forward, trusting in God's continued guidance in new circumstances.