1 Samuel 25 16

1 Samuel 25:16 kjv

They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

1 Samuel 25:16 nkjv

They were a wall to us both by night and day, all the time we were with them keeping the sheep.

1 Samuel 25:16 niv

Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our sheep near them.

1 Samuel 25:16 esv

They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

1 Samuel 25:16 nlt

In fact, day and night they were like a wall of protection to us and the sheep.

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 16 Meaning

The verse states that David's men provided constant and unwavering protection for Nabal's shepherds, serving as a robust barrier or fortress against dangers both day and night, throughout the entire period they were in close proximity tending the flocks. This highlights the indispensable and continuous service David and his men rendered, acting as vigilant guardians who ensured the safety and security of Nabal’s valuable livestock and his employees in a perilous wilderness environment.

1 Samuel 25 16 Context

1 Samuel chapter 25 immediately follows the death of Samuel, the prophet who anointed David. David, having fled from Saul, was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran with his approximately six hundred men. During this time, his men had been acting as protectors for the shepherds and flocks of Nabal, a very wealthy but churlish man from Maon, whose business was in Carmel. When it was time for sheep-shearing—a season of celebration and feasting, where landowners often showed generosity—David sent ten young men to Nabal to request provisions as a customary token of appreciation for their service. Instead of reciprocating the goodwill, Nabal insulted David and his men, sending them away empty-handed. This act provoked David’s wrath, prompting him to arm his men and set out to destroy Nabal and his entire household. The current verse is part of the urgent report given by one of Nabal's servants to Nabal's wise wife, Abigail. The servant vividly describes the indispensable and constant protection David's men had provided, emphasizing Nabal's egregious ingratitude and foreshadowing the drastic consequences of his folly.

1 Samuel 25 16 Word analysis

• They (Hebrew: הֵם, hēm): Refers to David and his men, signifying a collective and organized force. It emphasizes that this protection was provided by a specific group of individuals.
• were (Hebrew: הָיוּ, hāyû): A past tense verb indicating a continuous state or an ongoing, repeated action. It was not a single event but a prolonged and consistent presence.
• a wall (Hebrew: חוֹמָה, ḥôma):
  • Literal meaning: a defensive barrier, like a city wall or fortress.
  • Figurative meaning: a strong and impenetrable defense, providing complete protection and security. This powerful metaphor highlights the absolute safety and deterrence David's men offered, far surpassing the role of mere guards. It implies thorough enclosure and security from all threats.
  • Significance: It underscores the effectiveness and indispensable nature of David's men's service in a dangerous wilderness.
• to us (Hebrew: לָנוּ, lānû): Spoken from the perspective of Nabal's servants/shepherds. This indicates the direct and personal benefit they experienced, emphasizing the vital importance of the protection to their daily lives and safety.
• both by night and by day (Hebrew: לַיְלָה וָיוֹם, laylāh wāyôm): This phrase emphasizes the uninterrupted and ceaseless vigilance provided by David's men. Nighttime was especially dangerous due to ambushes and stealth attacks from bandits and wild animals, making constant watch crucial. This highlights their enduring dedication.
• all the while / all the days (Hebrew: כֹּל הַיָּמִים, kol-hayyāmîm): Reinforces the sustained duration of the protection, suggesting a long period of consistent guarding, not merely a fleeting assistance.
• we were with them (Hebrew: הָיִינוּ עִמָּם, hayînû `immām): Indicates a close, active, and shared presence. David's men were not distant or occasional observers but actively lived and operated alongside Nabal's shepherds, providing immediate and constant protection.
• tending the sheep (Hebrew: רֹעֵי הַצֹּאן, ro`ê haṣṣōn): Specifies the vulnerable activity being protected. Sheep were highly susceptible to raiders and wild animals, and their safety was critical to Nabal's wealth. The protection was directly beneficial to his livelihood and property.

• Words-group Analysis:
• "They were a wall to us": This striking metaphor conveys that David's men provided comprehensive, unyielding protection. They were not just a watchful eye, but a solid, formidable barrier, ensuring absolute safety for the vulnerable shepherds in the desolate terrain.
• "both by night and by day, all the while we were with them": This phrase emphasizes the ceaseless, diligent, and long-standing nature of their protective service. It conveys full-time dedication and constant presence, crucial for fending off unpredictable threats that could arise at any time.
• "tending the sheep": This specifies the context and beneficiary of their protection. It clarifies that David's men were actively safeguarding Nabal's economic interests and his livelihood, providing an essential service to the most vulnerable aspect of his operations.

1 Samuel 25 16 Bonus section

The credibility of this testimony is enhanced by its source: an eyewitness servant of Nabal, not David or his own men. This unbiased account underscores the genuine nature of the protection David provided. In the dangerous wilderness around Carmel, skilled warriors like David and his men, accustomed to hardship and skirmish, were uniquely equipped to provide such vital defense, making their service truly invaluable to Nabal’s prosperous operations. The "wall" imagery here powerfully echoes later biblical promises of divine protection, such as God being a wall of fire around Jerusalem.

1 Samuel 25 16 Commentary

1 Samuel 25:16 is a critical piece of testimony, delivered by Nabal's own servant to Abigail, validating the indispensable and continuous protection provided by David’s men. The powerful metaphor "a wall" encapsulates the total security and impregnability they offered against the frequent dangers of the wilderness, whether from raiders or wild beasts. Their presence, both day and night, over an extended period, was not merely a courtesy but a life-sustaining service for Nabal's vulnerable flocks and shepherds. This diligent, self-sacrificial guardianship underlines Nabal's immense ingratitude and deepens the contrast between David’s honorable actions and Nabal’s wicked response. It demonstrates the moral principle that acts of protection and kindness warrant corresponding generosity and respect, mirroring God's own unwavering care as a shepherd over His flock.