1 Samuel 25 31

1 Samuel 25:31 kjv

That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offense of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.

1 Samuel 25:31 nkjv

that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. But when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your maidservant."

1 Samuel 25:31 niv

my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the LORD your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant."

1 Samuel 25:31 esv

my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself. And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant."

1 Samuel 25:31 nlt

don't let this be a blemish on your record. Then your conscience won't have to bear the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance. And when the LORD has done these great things for you, please remember me, your servant!"

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 31 Meaning

Abigail, with profound wisdom, points out to David that if he were to act on his intention to avenge himself by shedding Nabal's blood without just cause, such an act would later become a grievous burden, a "stumbling block" to his conscience. She strategically advises him that once the LORD establishes him as king and deals benevolently with him, he would profoundly regret this rash act. Her final subtle plea is for David to remember her, recognizing her wise intervention, when he comes into his prosperous kingdom.

1 Samuel 25 31 Context

First Samuel chapter 25 details a critical episode in David's life during his time as a fugitive from King Saul, gathering strength and followers in the wilderness. Having protected Nabal's shepherds, David sends a polite request for provisions during shearing time. Nabal, a wealthy but surly man, insolently rebuffs David's legitimate appeal, pouring contempt on him and his men. Enraged by this deep insult, David, already an anointed king-in-waiting, prepares to descend with 400 armed men to utterly destroy Nabal and every male in his household.

Abigail, Nabal's discerning wife, intervenes without her husband's knowledge. She swiftly gathers generous provisions and, meeting David, falls at his feet in a remarkable act of humility and intercession. Through a masterful and prophetic appeal, she dissuades David from shedding innocent blood and taking vengeance into his own hands. Verse 31 is a pivotal part of her speech, where she artfully appeals to David's future and higher calling, reminding him of the long-term spiritual and ethical implications of his impulsive rage, preventing a grievous stain on his future reign. This incident is a test of David's character and trust in God's justice, demonstrating his capacity for wisdom and repentance.

1 Samuel 25 31 Word analysis

• "that this will not be": Refers to the direct outcome of David's contemplated action—the immediate plan to take vengeance upon Nabal and his household. Abigail, with diplomatic language, appeals to the lasting consequences, framing the action itself as the source of future regret.
• "a cause of grief" (פּוּקָה, puqah): This Hebrew word literally means "a staggering," "a stumbling," or "a moral burden." In this context, it signifies a profound spiritual and psychological distress or inner turmoil that would persistently burden David's conscience if he were to carry out his plan. It implies a lasting moral flaw or deep regret. This term powerfully conveys a heavy burden, like a load causing one to stumble.
• "nor a troubled conscience" (מִכְשׁוֹל לֵבָב, mikhshol levav): Lit. "a stumbling block of heart."
  • Mikhshol (מִכְשׁוֹל): A common biblical term for "stumbling block" or "hindrance," often used to describe anything that causes one to fall into sin or leads to ruin.
  • Levav (לֵבָב): "Heart," which in Hebrew thought refers not merely to emotion but also to the mind, will, intellect, and moral center of a person. Thus, it describes a fundamental impediment or blemish on David's very moral and spiritual core, affecting his ability to lead justly before God.
• "to my lord": Abigail consistently addresses David with this deferential title, demonstrating respect for his position, and crucially, for his anointing by God, even as she wisely corrects him.
• "both for having shed blood without cause" (שְׁפָךְ דָּם חִנָּם, sh'fach dam chinnam):
  • Sh'fach dam (שְׁפָךְ דָּם): "Shed blood," a grave offense in biblical law, indicating taking a human life. It carries the weight of bloodguilt.
  • Chinnam (חִנָּם): "Freely," "gratuitously," "without cause," "for nothing," or "unjustly." Abigail contends that despite Nabal's provocations, his killing would lack legitimate legal or moral justification in the eyes of God, making David liable for unrighteous bloodguilt.
• "and for my lord's having avenged himself" (וְהוֹשַׁעַתָּה לָךְ, v'hoshia'tah lach): Lit. "and having saved/helped yourself." This phrase underlines that David would be acting by his own initiative, seeking self-vindication rather than allowing the LORD to execute justice. It subtly highlights a failure to trust God's sovereignty over justice, an action taken purely out of personal wrath rather than divine authorization.
• "When the LORD has dealt well with my lord" (הֵטִיב יְהוָה לַאדֹנִי, hetiv YHVH ladoni):
  • Hetiv (הֵטִיב): "To do good," "to deal well," "to prosper," "to bring about well-being." This anticipates God's benevolent favor and establishment of David as king, referring to his destined kingship and the prosperity that would accompany it.
  • YHVH (יְהוָה): The covenant name of God, emphasizing that this blessing is from the sovereign God of Israel. Abigail implicitly reminds David that his future prosperity rests solely on God's doing, not on his own acts of vengeance.
• "then remember your maidservant" (זָכַרְתָּ אֶת־אֲמָתֶךָ, zacharta et-amateka):
  • Zacharta (זָכַרְתָּ): "Remember." In biblical language, "to remember" implies much more than mere recall; it means to act on behalf of someone based on that memory, to take note of and act mercifully towards, to favor, or to bring into special consideration.
  • Amateka (אֲמָתֶךָ): "Your maidservant" or "your humble servant." This highlights Abigail's humble plea for future favor and protection once David attains his full kingship, acknowledging her wisdom has been of service to him.

Words-group analysis:

• "cause of grief to you nor a troubled conscience": This duo of phrases effectively paints a picture of deep internal spiritual anguish. They reveal Abigail's profound understanding that David's contemplated act, while momentarily satisfying his rage, would leave an enduring stain on his character, perpetually disturbing his conscience, especially considering his calling as God's anointed leader. It emphasizes the importance of internal peace and a clear conscience for true leadership.
• "both for having shed blood without cause and for my lord's having avenged himself": This clause provides a precise moral condemnation. It targets both the sinful act of taking an innocent life and the sinful motive of self-initiated vengeance. Abigail thereby clarifies that Nabal's death, while perhaps perceived as justified in the heat of David's anger, would in fact be an unjustified shedding of blood by one who has arrogated God's prerogative to avenge.
• "When the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your maidservant": This masterfully orchestrated conclusion signifies a transition from admonition to a prophetic recognition of David's destiny. By placing David's future establishment squarely in God's hands ("the LORD has dealt well"), Abigail reminds him of the divine source of his future power. Her subsequent request to "remember" her is a humble yet confident acknowledgment of his coming reign and her place, seeking protection and favor under the very kingdom her wisdom helped him to preserve unstained. It links her present act of salvific intervention with future reward.

1 Samuel 25 31 Bonus section

• Abigail as a Peacemaker and Prophet: Abigail acts not merely as a prudent wife protecting her household, but as a profound spiritual counselor. Her words contain elements of foresight concerning David's destiny, effectively playing the role of a minor prophetess who diverts David from a grievous sin, serving as an instrument of divine prevention. She prevents a historical event that would have cast a dark shadow over David's kingship from its very beginning.
• David's Growth in Leadership: This episode highlights David's teachable spirit. Despite his anointing and military strength, he was prepared to act out of raw, personal vengeance. Abigail's intervention and David's subsequent reception of her wisdom ("Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me!") are crucial moments in his formation as a king who learns to rely on God's justice and providence rather than his own power or impulses.
• The Power of Wise Counsel: The entire narrative underscores the immense value of wise and Spirit-led counsel, especially when given to those in positions of power. Abigail's courageous and humble intervention showcases how discernment and truth spoken in wisdom can avert disaster and protect God's purposes.
• The Cost of Bloodguilt: This warning by Abigail foreshadows the true sorrow and bloodguilt David would incur later through the Bathsheba and Uriah incident (2 Sam 11-12). In that tragic case, there was cause for "grief" and a "troubled conscience" (e.g., Ps 51). The 1 Samuel 25 account stands as a powerful "what if" scenario and demonstrates God's grace in intervening through Abigail to preserve David in this critical earlier moment.

1 Samuel 25 31 Commentary

Abigail's plea in 1 Samuel 25:31 is a masterful demonstration of wisdom, foresight, and spiritual insight. She understands David's future as the anointed king of Israel and tactfully appeals to his higher calling, not his present rage. Her central argument rests on the long-term spiritual consequence of private vengeance: bloodguilt and a defiled conscience. She points out that while the satisfaction of immediate retaliation might be tempting, the enduring "grief" and "troubled conscience" that would follow a rash, unjustified act of bloodshed would be a constant, debilitating burden for a king established by God. This emphasizes that divine favor for a leader requires spiritual purity.

Abigail carefully reframes the situation by emphasizing that vengeance belongs to God. Her reference to "When the LORD has dealt well with my lord" is not only a diplomatic statement of future blessings but a gentle prophecy affirming David's divine appointment and kingship. She appeals to David's future regret, rather than his present anger, demonstrating an acute understanding of human psychology and spiritual accountability. Her final, humble request to "remember your maidservant" strategically cements her place in his favor once his kingship is solidified, ensuring her own well-being and acknowledging his coming power, all while underscoring the success of her life-saving, conscience-preserving mission. Through this counsel, David is steered away from a course that would have tarnished his legacy and placed a moral stumbling block at the very start of his kingdom, demonstrating his teachability and reliance on divine counsel.