1 Samuel 25 8

1 Samuel 25:8 kjv

Ask thy young men, and they will show thee. Wherefore let the young men find favor in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.

1 Samuel 25:8 nkjv

Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.' "

1 Samuel 25:8 niv

Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.'?"

1 Samuel 25:8 esv

Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.'"

1 Samuel 25:8 nlt

Ask your own men, and they will tell you this is true. So would you be kind to us, since we have come at a time of celebration? Please share any provisions you might have on hand with us and with your friend David."

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 8 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 25:8, David, through his young men, politely requests provisions from Nabal. The verse emphasizes an appeal to Nabal's own servants as witnesses to David's protective service and frames the request within the context of an auspicious "good day"—a time when generosity was customary. David, along with his men, humble themselves as "servants" to Nabal, even presenting David as his "son," seeking favor and sustenance readily available from Nabal's abundance. It's a deferential plea for what was culturally understood as a just return for services rendered.

1 Samuel 25 8 Context

1 Samuel 25 describes an incident in David's life while he was a fugitive from King Saul, dwelling in the wilderness of Paran. David had amassed a company of around 600 men, who, despite being outlaws in a sense, also provided protection to the local inhabitants and their livestock against raiders. Nabal, a very wealthy man from Maon with property in Carmel, was shearing his sheep – a time of great prosperity and often a season for feasting and generosity. David, having learned of this, sent ten of his young men to greet Nabal and, respectfully, request provisions in return for the protective service David and his men had provided to Nabal’s shepherds. This was a culturally recognized practice: protectors of land and flocks were customarily given tribute or gifts in exchange for their service, often known as menachah (offering/present). The entire plea in verse 8 is part of this elaborate and respectful request, contrasting sharply with Nabal’s subsequent contemptuous refusal.

1 Samuel 25 8 Word analysis

• Ask: (Sha'al, שָׁאַל) – To inquire, petition, request. It signifies a humble request rather than a demand, aligning with David’s tactful approach despite his position as a potential future king.
• thy young men: (Ne'arim, נְעָרִים) – Refers to Nabal’s male servants or laborers. These were the very individuals whom David's men had protected and were eyewitnesses to David’s benevolent service. By appealing to them, David sought confirmation of his legitimate claim.
• and they will shew thee: (Va'yaggidu lekha, וְיַגִּידוּ לְךָ) – And they will tell you/inform you. This suggests David's confidence in the truth of his service and that Nabal’s own staff could corroborate it, making Nabal accountable.
• Wherefore: (V'atta, וְעַתָּה) – And now, therefore. A transitional particle indicating a logical consequence or a plea following a premise.
• let the young men find favour in thine eyes: (Yimts'u na'arim khen b'einekha, יִמְצְאוּ נַעֲרִים חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ) – "May the young men (David's messengers/men) find grace/favor in your eyes." This is a humble and diplomatic plea for benevolent acceptance and kindness, rather than harsh judgment. It sets the tone for the request.
• for we come: (Ki yom tov ba'nu, כִּי יוֹם טוֹב בָּנוּ) – Literally, "for a good day we came." This provides the reason and timing for the request.
• in a good day: (Yom tov, יוֹם טוֹב) – A significant phrase. It refers to a festive day, likely the sheep-shearing festival. These were occasions of abundance and communal feasting, where hospitality and generosity were not just customary but expected. It highlights that Nabal had plenty and that the time was auspicious for sharing. This term connects to future 'yom tov' observances like feasts in Israel.
• give, I pray thee: (Ten na, תֵּן־נָא) – Give, please. A polite and respectful form of requesting, rather than commanding. Na is a particle of entreaty or politeness.
• whatsoever cometh to thine hand: ('Et asher timtza yadekha, אֵת אֲשֶׁר תִּמְצָא יָדֶךָ) – Whatever your hand finds or is able to find. This means "whatever you readily have available" or "whatever you can spare." It allows Nabal to determine the quantity, yet implicitly expects generosity from his vast wealth. It speaks to immediate, available resources.
• unto thy servants: (La'avaddeykha, לַעֲבָדֶיךָ) – To your servants. Referring to David’s men, subtly aligning them with Nabal's own household or laborers, highlighting shared humanity and dependence.
• and to thy son David: (U'li'vnekhah Dovid, וְלִבְנְךָ דָוִד) – And to your son David. This is a very interesting phrase. It positions David humbly, almost as a dependent, seeking the provision a father might give a son. It is deferential and seeks to appeal to Nabal's patriarchal status, avoiding any hint of coercion or entitlement, even though David was anointed future king. It might also be a subtle reference to the familial relationship inherent in protector-patron interactions.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee": This establishes verifiable truth and relies on internal witnesses from Nabal’s own camp. It underscores the legitimacy of David's claim, not based on force but on acknowledged service. This group of words suggests transparency and accountability.
• "Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day": This transition links the confirmed service to a polite appeal for generosity during a propitious time. It combines deference with cultural expectation, placing Nabal in a position where refusing would be not just ungenerous, but culturally improper and ungracious.
• "give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David": This segment encapsulates the essence of the request. It's humble ("I pray thee"), flexible in quantity ("whatsoever cometh to thine hand"), and specifies the recipients as a dependent household ("thy servants, and to thy son David"). It outlines the requested action, its quantity, and its recipients.

1 Samuel 25 8 Bonus section

The entire chapter of 1 Samuel 25, encapsulated by this verse's respectful appeal, presents a vital test of character for David. His ability to send men, wait patiently, and request honorably, rather than taking by force, demonstrates a core aspect of his God-given leadership qualities: wisdom, patience, and a trust in legitimate processes even under duress. This narrative implicitly showcases that God trains future leaders not only in military prowess but also in diplomacy, self-control, and dependence on divine provision, even if delivered through seemingly ordinary human interactions. The "good day" was not just a convenient timing, but a moment God provided to test Nabal's heart, revealing whether he lived by the generous principles expected of a wealthy Israelite. Nabal's response also highlights the severe social consequences of breaching established community norms regarding hospitality and reciprocation for service rendered in the ancient Near East.

1 Samuel 25 8 Commentary

1 Samuel 25:8 is a masterclass in polite diplomacy from David, especially considering his wilderness-hardened state and the substantial military force at his command. His messengers' appeal to Nabal's young men as witnesses speaks to an appeal to truth and community knowledge. David understood that those directly impacted by his protection could verify his good faith. The phrase "let the young men find favour in thine eyes" highlights David's diplomatic humility, despite his prophetic anointing. More critically, the mention of "a good day" (Yom Tov) is a key cultural detail. Sheep shearing was akin to a harvest festival, a time of prosperity and traditional feasting. Such occasions called for open-handed generosity, reflecting blessings received. David appealed not just to Nabal's charity but to his obligation as a wealthy host during a communal celebration. The request for "whatsoever cometh to thine hand" also reflects a respectful plea, leaving the quantity to Nabal's discretion, yet implying that from his immense wealth, a generous portion was expected for those who provided protection. Finally, "unto thy servants, and to thy son David" is deeply significant. It demonstrates David's readiness to humble himself, even though he was anointed future king, and place himself in a dependent role relative to Nabal. This shows remarkable self-control and wisdom, aligning with God's principle that leaders should serve (Mk 10:45). Nabal's subsequent contempt reveals his folly in misjudging David's character and neglecting cultural customs and the Lord's future anointed.