1 Samuel 25:21

1 Samuel 25:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.
• New International Version (NIV)David had just said, “It’s been useless—all my watching over this fellow’s property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now David had said, "Surely in vain have I guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good.

Context of 1 Samuel 25:21

19She said to her young men (servants), “Go on ahead of me; behold, I am coming after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. 20It happened that as she was riding on her donkey and coming down by [way of] the hidden part of the mountain, that suddenly David and his men were coming down toward her, and she met them. Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have protected and guarded all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missing of all that belonged to him; and he has repaid me evil for good. 22May God do so to the enemies of David, and more also, if by morning I leave [alive] even one male of any who belong to him.” 23When Abigail saw David, she hurried and dismounted from the donkey, and kneeled face downward before David and bowed down to the ground [in respect].

1 Samuel 25:21 word by word

וְדָוִ֣ד אָמַ֗ר אַךְ֩ לַשֶּׁ֨קֶר שָׁמַ֜רְתִּי אֶֽת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֤ר לָזֶה֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר וְלֹא־נִפְקַ֥ד מִכָּל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֖וֹ מְא֑וּמָה וַיָּֽשֶׁב־לִ֥י רָעָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת טוֹבָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Now Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• had saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Surely in vainשֶׁ֫קֶרsheqer · deceptionH8267
• have I keptשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: guardH8104
• all that thisזֶהzeh · thisH2088
• hath in the wildernessמִדְבָּרmidbâr · wildernessH4057
• so that nothingמְא֫וּמָהme'ûmâh · anythingH3972
• was missedפָּקַדpâqad · to reckon: missingH6485
• unto him: and he hath requitedשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• me evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
• for goodטוֹבָהţôb · welfareH2896

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 25:21

• 1 Samuel 25:13David said to his men, “Each man put on your sword.” So each man put on his sword. David also put on his sword, and about four hundred men went up behind David while two hundred stayed back with the provisions and supplies.
• Job 30:8They are the sons of [worthless and nameless] fools, They have been driven out of the land.
• Psalms 37:8Cease from anger and abandon wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evil.
• Ephesians 4:26Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people.
• 1 Peter 2:21For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.
• 1 Peter 3:9and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].
• Genesis 44:4When they had left the city, and were not yet far away, Joseph said to his steward, “Get up, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil [to us] for good [paid to you]?
• Psalms 35:12They repay me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul.
• Psalms 38:20They repay evil for good, they attack and try to kill me, Because I follow what is good.
• Psalms 109:3They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And have fought against me without a cause.
• Proverbs 17:13Whoever returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.
• Jeremiah 18:20Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember [with compassion] that I stood before You To speak good on their behalf, To turn Your anger away from them.
• Romans 12:21Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.
• 1 Peter 2:20After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God.
• 1 Peter 2:17Show respect for all people [treat them honorably], love the brotherhood [of believers], fear God, honor the king.

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 25:21

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21In vain - i. e., under false expectation.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-31Verses 18-31 By a present Abigail atoned for Nabal's denial of David's request. Her behaviour was very submissive. Yielding pacifies great offences. She puts herself in the place of a penitent, and of a petitioner. She could not excuse her husband's conduct. She depends not upon her own reasonings, but on God's grace, to soften David, and expects that grace would work powerfully. She says that it was below him to take vengeance on so weak and despicable…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21he has paid me back evil for good: See also 1 Samuel 24:17.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 25:21

• Decision
• Evil for Good
• Fig
• Ingratitude
• Nabal
• Prudence
• Tact
• Wife

In the dictionaries

• David
• Abigail
• Conversant
• Covert
• Die
• Miss
• Nabal
• Requite
• Sure
• Wall

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings