1 Samuel 25 17

1 Samuel 25:17 kjv

Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

1 Samuel 25:17 nkjv

Now therefore, know and consider what you will do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that one cannot speak to him."

1 Samuel 25:17 niv

Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him."

1 Samuel 25:17 esv

Now therefore know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him."

1 Samuel 25:17 nlt

You need to know this and figure out what to do, for there is going to be trouble for our master and his whole family. He's so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!"

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 17 Meaning

The servant of Nabal urges Abigail, Nabal's wife, to take swift and decisive action. He reveals that David has determined to bring harm and destruction upon Nabal and his entire household, emphasizing the imminence and finality of David’s decision. The servant explains this severe situation by succinctly stating Nabal’s character as "a worthless man," implying that Nabal's folly and wickedness are the root cause of this impending catastrophe and that he himself is incapable of defusing it.

1 Samuel 25 17 Context

Chapter 25 narrates the events immediately following the death of Samuel, during David's time as an outlaw. David, along with his 600 men, has been protecting the sheep and shepherds of a wealthy but ill-tempered man named Nabal in Maon (Caravan). When Nabal begins his sheep shearing, a time for feasting and generosity, David sends messengers requesting provisions as a customary exchange for the protection provided. Nabal arrogantly insults David and refuses, calling David's men "worthless" (v. 10) and questioning his identity. Enraged, David vows to destroy Nabal and every male in his household by morning. It is one of Nabal's servants, witnessing David's anger and Nabal's folly firsthand, who appeals to Nabal’s discerning wife, Abigail, in 1 Samuel 25:17, recognizing her as the only hope to avert certain disaster.

1 Samuel 25 17 Word analysis

• Now therefore (וְעַתָּה - v'attah): A strong connective, marking an immediate and urgent transition from explaining the dire situation to urging a response. It signifies "and now," functioning as "therefore now," calling for attention and action in light of what has just been revealed.
• know (דְּעִי - de'i): An imperative feminine singular verb, derived from yada (יָדַע), meaning "to know," "to perceive," or "to discern." It is addressed to Abigail, commanding her not just to intellectualize, but to deeply understand, acknowledge, and perceive the gravity of the situation and the implications of Nabal’s actions.
• and consider (וּרְאִי - u'r'i): Also an imperative feminine singular, from ra'ah (רָאָה), "to see," "to look upon," "to consider." This word urges active contemplation and perception. Abigail is called to visually or mentally survey the entire scene, grasp its true nature, and thoughtfully weigh options for intervention.
• what you will do (מַה תַּעֲשִׂין - mah ta'asin): "What you will make/do." This phrasing points to the necessity of concrete, decisive action. The servant explicitly entrusts Abigail with the responsibility of formulating and executing a plan to resolve the crisis.
• for (כִּי - ki): A causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "for." It introduces the crucial justification and urgency behind the servant's plea.
• evil (הָרָעָה - ha'ra'ah): Refers to "the evil," "the harm," "the disaster," or "the calamity." In biblical context, ra'ah often signifies destructive consequences, divine judgment, or physical harm. Here, it denotes David's imminent, wrathful attack, which will bring widespread death and destruction upon Nabal’s household.
• is determined (כָּלְתָה - kaltah): From kalah (כָּלָה), "to finish," "to complete," "to bring to an end," or "to consume." Here, it carries the strong sense of being "resolved," "decided," or "destined." It conveys the finality of David's vow to eliminate Nabal's house unless prevented, underscoring the extreme urgency for intervention.
• against our master (עַל־אֲדֹנֵנוּ - al-adonenu): "Against our lord." This specifies Nabal as the direct object and primary target of David's intended retribution. It also highlights the servant's loyalty, despite recognizing Nabal’s flaws.
• and against all his household (וְעַל־כָּל־בֵּיתוֹ - v'al-kol-beito): "And against all his house." This expands the scope of the impending calamity to encompass Nabal's entire family, servants, and possessions. This demonstrates the ancient Near Eastern concept of corporate solidarity, where a household might suffer consequences for the actions of its head.
• and he is a worthless man (וְהוּא בֶן־בְּלִיָּעַל - v'hu ven-b'liya'al): This phrase offers the decisive character assessment of Nabal, justifying the servant's plea to Abigail. Ben-B'liya'al (literally "son of Belial" or "son of worthlessness") describes someone utterly depraved, wicked, unprofitable, good-for-nothing, or beyond redemption in character. This assessment serves as an explanation for why the servant did not approach Nabal himself, emphasizing his incorrigibility and the need for Abigail's direct intervention.

Words-group Analysis

• "Now therefore know and consider what you will do": This cluster emphasizes the critical need for immediate, insightful, and practical response from Abigail. It shifts the burden of solution to her, appealing to her known wisdom and capability. The repetition of imperatives underscores the crisis's urgency.
• "for evil is determined against our master and against all his household": This reveals the absolute danger. "Evil is determined" signifies an almost irrevocable sentence. The inclusion of "all his household" extends the scope of judgment beyond Nabal to encompass his entire sphere of influence, mirroring divine principles of corporate consequence for a leader's sin, particularly a "worthless man."
• "and he is a worthless man": This phrase functions as a concise summary of Nabal's character and the ultimate reason for the crisis. It highlights his incorrigible nature, explaining why direct appeal to Nabal is futile and underscoring Abigail's unique position and responsibility. The "son of Belial" designation points to moral depravity and utter unprofitability, making him ripe for divine or human judgment.

1 Samuel 25 17 Bonus section

The "worthless man" (ben-Belial) designation for Nabal is not just an insult but a significant biblical pejorative. Individuals termed "sons of Belial" are consistently characterized by lawlessness, perversity, and rejection of righteous authority, such as Eli's sons (1 Sam 2:12), the men of Gibeah (Judg 19:22), and Sheba (2 Sam 20:1). This term is used in the New Testament to denote an opposing force to Christ (2 Cor 6:15), implying spiritual and moral bankruptcy. Thus, the servant's description of Nabal places him squarely among those deserving severe judgment. Furthermore, this verse underscores the crucial role of discernment in leadership and daily life. The servant, despite his lowly position, perceives the reality of the threat and the character of Nabal more clearly than Nabal himself, acting as a crucial messenger of truth. This highlights that true wisdom often resides not in positions of power but in those who humble themselves to see and speak truth, even to those in authority or wealth.

1 Samuel 25 17 Commentary

This verse functions as a pivotal moment, framing the immediate crisis and establishing the characters of both Nabal and Abigail. The servant’s desperate appeal highlights Nabal's stubborn foolishness, rendering him beyond counsel, and conversely, points to Abigail's renowned wisdom as the last remaining hope. The use of "determined" (Heb. kalah) emphasizes David's unshakeable resolve to bring destruction, making the servant's words an urgent warning of an already sealed fate. This situation provides a divine object lesson in God's providence, showing how human wisdom and action, guided by God's unseen hand, can avert impulsive human wrath (David's intended sin) and bring about divine justice in due course (Nabal's ultimate demise). Abigail's actions, initiated by this desperate plea, exemplify wise and swift intervention, preventing David from committing a grave sin of vengeance and upholding God's sovereign control over justice.