1 Samuel 25 38

1 Samuel 25:38 kjv

And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.

1 Samuel 25:38 nkjv

Then it happened, after about ten days, that the LORD struck Nabal, and he died.

1 Samuel 25:38 niv

About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died.

1 Samuel 25:38 esv

And about ten days later the LORD struck Nabal, and he died.

1 Samuel 25:38 nlt

About ten days later, the LORD struck him, and he died.

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 38 Meaning

This verse declares that Nabal’s death, approximately ten days after his heart attack (described in the previous verse) when confronted by Abigail, was a direct act of divine judgment. The Lord Himself "smote" Nabal, signifying a supernatural and righteous intervention, ensuring that Nabal received the just consequence for his insolence towards David and, implicitly, against God’s anointed. This act affirmed God’s active involvement in human affairs and His protection over those He has chosen.

1 Samuel 25 38 Context

First Samuel chapter 25 details an encounter between David, then an outlaw leader seeking refuge from King Saul, and a wealthy but ill-tempered man named Nabal. David had protected Nabal's shepherds, and when David’s men approached Nabal for provisions during a festive sheep-shearing, Nabal insolently refused and insulted David. Enraged, David vowed to annihilate Nabal and his household. Nabal’s discerning wife, Abigail, intervened, secretly bringing supplies to David and eloquently persuading him to refrain from personal vengeance, reminding him of God's greater plan for him. Upon returning, Abigail told Nabal what she had done, and Nabal suffered a stroke-like condition, his "heart died within him, and he became as a stone" (1 Sam 25:37). This verse, 1 Sam 25:38, then records Nabal’s ultimate demise approximately ten days later, directly attributed to the Lord. His death paved the way for David to marry Abigail, preventing David from spilling innocent blood and highlighting God's faithfulness in clearing obstacles and elevating His anointed one.

1 Samuel 25 38 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - vayhî): This is a common Hebrew conjunction that signals the narrative progression. It suggests a direct sequence of events, reinforcing that Nabal’s death was a deliberate outcome connected to what preceded it.

• about ten days after (כַּעֲשֶׂרֶת יָמִים - kaʿas̲eret yamîm): This phrase specifies the timeframe, indicating that Nabal's physical death was not immediate upon Abigail's revelation to him (v.37), but followed a period of about ten days. This delay might signify God's measured timing for judgment, allowing for a period of physical and perhaps spiritual decline following the shock, or demonstrating that the prior "heart-turning-to-stone" was the onset of a divinely orchestrated process, culminating in death. The number 'ten' can symbolize completeness or a waiting period.

• that the LORD (יְהוָה - Yahweh): This is the Tetragrammaton, God’s covenant name. Its use here is highly significant, explicitly identifying the divine actor behind Nabal's death. It stresses that this was not a natural occurrence or mere coincidence, but a direct, deliberate act of the sovereign God, who watches over His chosen people and dispenses justice.

• smote (נָגַף - nagaph): This verb means "to strike," "to smite," "to plague," or "to wound." It frequently describes God's direct and decisive judgment, often through disease or sudden death (e.g., God "smiting" the Egyptians with plagues). It implies a powerful, supernatural blow from God, confirming that Nabal's death was an act of divine retribution, not a medical accident.

• Nabal (נָבָל - naval): This is Nabal’s personal name, but it also directly means "fool," "senseless," "godless," or "withered." The chapter heavily emphasizes his foolishness, both in his actions towards David and in his character. His death at God's hand fulfills the inherent meaning of his name, demonstrating that a "fool" who disdains God's anointed and God's principles ultimately faces divine consequences.

• that he died (וַיָּמֹת - vayyamot): This direct and unequivocal phrase states the finality of Nabal's life. It leaves no ambiguity regarding his fate and marks the completion of the divine judgment, emphasizing the certain and ultimate end for those whom God directly judges.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal": This clause emphasizes divine timing and divine agency. The deliberate pace ("ten days") and the explicit naming of "the LORD" underscore that Nabal's demise was a preordained, deliberate act of God's justice, not an emotional reaction from David or a random event.
  • "the LORD smote Nabal": This is the core declaration of the verse. It asserts God's direct intervention and judgment, preventing David from taking personal revenge and illustrating God's sovereignty over life and death, particularly concerning those who oppose His divine purposes or disrespect His anointed.
  • "Nabal, that he died": This highlights the specific target of the judgment and its ultimate, inescapable outcome. The death of Nabal, whose very name denotes "fool," serves as a powerful testament to the consequences of his defiant and foolish actions, which included rejecting God's protection (indirectly) offered by David.

1 Samuel 25 38 Bonus section

The immediate consequence of Nabal’s death was David's ability to take Abigail as his wife without violating divine principles through vengeance or bloodshed. This pivotal event in 1 Samuel 25 served God's purpose in elevating David and securing his future kingship. Nabal's foolishness, encapsulated by his very name, ironically facilitated God's divine plan, highlighting how even wicked actions can inadvertently serve the Lord's greater will. The specific mention of "ten days" following Nabal’s collapse (v. 37) might suggest a period for him to perhaps contemplate his impending judgment, emphasizing the certainty and measured nature of divine retribution rather than mere natural causes. It also underlines God's vindication of David's righteous cause.

1 Samuel 25 38 Commentary

This verse definitively attributes Nabal's death to the direct action of Yahweh, approximately ten days after Nabal's "heart died within him" from shock. This divine judgment served several crucial purposes: it delivered swift and certain justice for Nabal’s grievous insult against God’s anointed servant, David; it prevented David from shedding innocent blood, thereby preserving his spiritual purity and moral standing as God’s future king; and it demonstrated God's active protection and provision for those who patiently wait on Him for justice. Nabal’s death underscores the spiritual truth that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and His justice is precise and unfailing, particularly against those whose foolishness aligns with rebellion against divine order. His demise illustrates the stark contrast between human rashness and divine righteousness.

• Practical Usage: This verse can teach believers to trust in God's justice and avoid taking revenge into their own hands, knowing that God sees and will act in His perfect timing (Rom 12:19). It also reminds us that rejecting or showing contempt for God’s representatives can lead to severe consequences.