1 Samuel 25 15

1 Samuel 25:15 kjv

But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:

1 Samuel 25:15 nkjv

But the men were very good to us, and we were not hurt, nor did we miss anything as long as we accompanied them, when we were in the fields.

1 Samuel 25:15 niv

Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing.

1 Samuel 25:15 esv

Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them.

1 Samuel 25:15 nlt

These men have been very good to us, and we never suffered any harm from them. Nothing was stolen from us the whole time they were with us.

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 15 Meaning

This verse, spoken by one of Nabal's young men to Abigail, describes the consistent and benevolent conduct of David's men. It testifies that throughout their interactions while in the fields, David's group provided effective protection and caused no harm or loss to Nabal's shepherds or their flocks. They ensured the well-being and security of Nabal's people without taking anything in return, thereby establishing a valid expectation of provision, which Nabal then ungratefully denied.

1 Samuel 25 15 Context

This verse is embedded in 1 Samuel Chapter 25, which details the tumultuous interaction between David, Nabal, and Abigail. After the death of Samuel, David and his men, living in the wilderness as fugitives from Saul, protected Nabal’s vast flocks and shepherds during shearing time. This protection was invaluable in the dangerous wilderness, where bandits and rival groups posed constant threats. It was customary in ancient Near Eastern society for nomadic protectors to receive a gratuity or provision in return for such services, particularly during prosperous times like shearing season. David sent ten young men to Nabal to request such provisions. However, Nabal, whose name means "fool," insultingly rejected David's request, questioning his identity and dismissing his legitimate need. This verse is the crucial testimony of one of Nabal's own servants to Abigail, Nabal's wise wife. The servant appeals to Abigail, vividly describing David’s men's honorable conduct and emphasizing that David and his followers deserved recompense, thereby exposing Nabal's profound wickedness and foolishness to his own household. This sets the stage for Abigail's intervention and her wise defusing of David’s justifiable wrath.

1 Samuel 25 15 Word analysis

• But the men (וְהָאֲנָשִׁים – wəhāʾanāšîm): Refers specifically to David's approximately 600 followers (cf. 1 Sam 23:13). While David was an "outlaw" from Saul's perspective, his men demonstrated discipline and a form of order, setting them apart from mere brigands. The word emphasizes their collective nature and character.
• were very good to us (טוֹבִים לָנוּ מְאֹד – ṭōvîm lānû məʾōd):
  • טוֹבִים (ṭōvîm – good, pleasant, beneficial). This Hebrew word carries a broad sense of moral and practical excellence. It contrasts starkly with Nabal’s inherent badness or "evil" (raʿ) that led him to scorn David. Their goodness wasn't just passive but active benevolence.
  • מְאֹד (məʾōd – very, exceedingly). The adverb intensifies the goodness, signifying an exceptional level of beneficence and care demonstrated consistently by David’s men towards Nabal's shepherds.
  • This phrase indicates more than just abstaining from harm; it implies proactive assistance and protection in the hostile environment of the wilderness, possibly guarding against other raiders or helping with flock management.
• and we were not harmed (וְלֹא הֻכַּלְנוּ – wəloʾ hukkallānû):
  • הֻכַּלְנוּ (hukkallānû – Pual perfect, 1st common plural of כָּלַל, kalal). The root means "to complete," "to consume," "to diminish." In the Pual passive form, it means "we were not diminished," "we were not consumed," "we suffered no loss or injury." This specifically affirms physical safety and lack of violence or aggression from David's group.
  • It highlights the fact that David's men did not act as typical bandits who would pillage or oppress. Their presence was a shield, not a threat.
• nor did we miss anything (וְלֹא פָקַדְנוּ – wəloʾ pāqaḏnû):
  • פָקַדְנוּ (pāqaḏnû – Qal perfect, 1st common plural of פָקַד, paqad). This verb has a wide range of meanings including "to visit," "to inspect," "to command," "to number," and "to miss" or "lack." Here, in the negative, it implies that nothing was absent or lost.
  • This points specifically to no loss of property, livestock, or goods. David’s men took nothing. Their behavior directly counters the accusations Nabal might imply against a band of fugitives, showcasing their integrity.
• as long as we went with them (כָּל־יְמֵי הִתְהַלְּכוּתֵנוּ אִתָּם – kol-yəmê hitalləkûtēnû ʾittām):
  • כָּל־יְמֵי (kol-yəmê – all the days of). Emphasizes the duration and consistency of their benevolent conduct. It wasn't a one-off act but a sustained pattern.
  • הִתְהַלְּכוּתֵנוּ (hitalləkûtēnû – our going about/walking, infinitive construct). This suggests their daily movement and interaction.
  • The long period of association solidified the unspoken agreement of protection for provision.
• when we were in the fields (בִּהְיוֹתֵנוּ בַּשָּׂדֶה – bihyôtēnû baśśāḏeh):
  • בַּשָּׂדֶה (baśśāḏeh – in the field/open country). This signifies a vulnerable environment. Shepherds lived an exposed existence in open country, making them and their flocks easy prey for marauders or wild animals.
  • This phrase underlines the crucial context of their interaction. David’s men provided security precisely where it was most needed, protecting against unknown dangers in an unprotected land.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "But the men were very good to us, and we were not harmed": This phrase highlights the exceptional conduct of David’s men, indicating they were benevolent and non-aggressive. They ensured the physical safety of Nabal's shepherds, an essential service in the unpoliced wilderness. This was not typical behavior of nomadic armed groups.
  • "nor did we miss anything as long as we went with them": This specifies the integrity of David's men. Not only did they not attack, but they also did not steal or pilfer. All goods, particularly livestock (the source of Nabal’s wealth), remained intact. The "as long as" clause stresses the continuous, reliable nature of this protection over an extended period.
  • "when we were in the fields": This final clause establishes the high-risk environment. Shepherds are vulnerable in open pastures. David’s men acted as a formidable deterrent, safeguarding Nabal's assets in a precarious setting. This context magnifies the significance of their "goodness" and Nabal's ungratefulness.

1 Samuel 25 15 Bonus section

The concept of "protection" in this context is crucial. In ancient societies, especially those with fluid boundaries or central authority, powerful individuals or groups (like David and his men) often provided de facto security for settled communities or wealthy nomads in exchange for tribute or provisions. This was not merely extortion but a common, albeit informal, socio-economic arrangement. David's request was not charity; it was a customary reciprocal expectation based on valuable services rendered. Nabal's rejection of this understood principle was therefore not just impolite but an act of moral and social rebellion, disrespecting both David and the established societal norms. It suggests Nabal saw David merely as a nuisance or a beggar, failing to acknowledge his legitimate role as a protector who had preserved his wealth from other raiders or even David’s own men. This highlights Nabal's shortsightedness and utter foolishness (as his name implies) in antagonizing a capable and deserving party like David.

1 Samuel 25 15 Commentary

This concise statement from Nabal’s servant profoundly vindicates David's initial claim for recompense and condemns Nabal's stinginess. It serves as a stark moral compass, illuminating the righteous behavior of David's seemingly lawless band against the depravity of the wealthy but wicked Nabal. David's men demonstrated not merely self-control, but proactive guardianship, functioning as an unofficial security force in the dangerous Judean wilderness. Their presence ensured the preservation of Nabal's enormous wealth (3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats). The servant’s testimony, an eyewitness account, lends credibility to the situation, showing that even those within Nabal’s household recognized the justice of David's appeal. The servant instinctively understands the unwritten code of honor and mutual support essential for survival in the harsh environment, a code that Nabal tragically ignores. This verse sets the stage for God's judgment on Nabal and exalts Abigail’s wisdom in acknowledging what was rightfully due.

Example for practical usage:

• When a community offers unpaid support or services (e.g., volunteering to clean a park), recognition and a small token of appreciation are due for their consistent positive impact.
• In business, reliable and trustworthy partners who protect your interests without demanding anything upfront deserve to be fairly compensated when the project succeeds.
• It models Christian conduct in an adverse situation: showing grace and integrity even when operating outside formal structures, and earning respect through beneficial actions, not aggression.