Nabal and Abigail

1 Samuel 25

After Samuel's death, David sends young men to greet the wealthy but churlish Nabal and is met with insults and refusal, prompting David to arm his men for revenge. Nabal's wife Abigail intervenes with gifts and wise counsel to turn away David's anger, and after the Lord strikes Nabal dead, David takes Abigail as his wife.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW when Samuel died all Israel assembled, and bewailed him, and buried him at his house at Armathaim. Then David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Maon.

BrentonAnd Samuel died, and all Israel assembled, and bewailed him, and they bury him in his house in Armathaim: and David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Maon.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέθανε Σαμουὴλ, καὶ συναθροίζονται πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ κόπτονται αὐτὸν, καὶ θάπτουσιν αὐτὸν ἐν οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ ἐν Ἁρμαθαίμ· καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυὶδ, καὶ κατέβη εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Μαών.

KJVAnd Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

JPSAnd Samuel died; and all Israel gathered themselves together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

ThomsonNow there was a man at Maon whose flocks were at Carmel. He was a very wealthy man. He had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats, and he was sheering his sheep at Carmel.

BrentonAnd there was a man in Maon, and his flocks were in Carmel, and he was a very great man; and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand she-goats: and he happened to be shearing his flock in Carmel.

GreekΚαὶ ἦν ἄνθρωπος ἐν τῇ Μαὼν, καὶ τὰ ποίμνια αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ Καρμήλῳ, καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος μέγας σφόδρα· καὶ τούτῳ ποίμνια τρισχίλια, καὶ αἶγες χίλιαι· καὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν τῷ κείρειν τὸ ποίμνιον αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ Καρμήλῳ.

KJVAnd there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

JPSAnd there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats; and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

ThomsonThe man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigaia. His wife was a woman of good understanding, and very beautiful; but the man was morose, and ill-natured, and of a surly disposition.

BrentonAnd the man's name was Nabal, and his wife's name was Abigaia: and his wife was of good understanding and very beautiful in person: but the man was harsh and evil in his doings, and the man was churlish.

GreekΚαὶ ὄνομα τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ Νάβαλ, καὶ ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ Ἀβιγαία· καὶ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ ἀγαθὴ συνέσει καὶ ἀγαθὴ τῷ εἴδει σφόδρα· καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος σκληρὸς καὶ πονηρὸς ἐν ἐπιτηδεύμασι, καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος κυνικός.

KJVNow the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

JPSNow the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good understanding, and of a beautiful form; but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

ThomsonAnd when David heard in the wilderness that Nabal the Carmelite was sheering his flocks,

BrentonAnd David heard in the wilderness, that Nabal the Carmelite was shearing his sheep.

Greekκαὶ ἤκουσε Δαυὶδ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ὅτι κείρει Νάβαλ ὁ Καρμήλιος τὸ ποίμνιον αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.

JPSAnd David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.

ThomsonDavid sent ten young men, and said to the young men, Go up to Carmel and when you come to Nabal, salute him in my name and say thus—

BrentonAnd David sent ten young men, and he said to the young men, Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and ask him in my name how he is.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε Δαυὶδ δέκα παιδάρια, καὶ εἶπε τοῖς παιδαρίοις, ἀνάβητε εἰς Κάρμηλον καὶ ἀπέλθατε πρὸς Νάβαλ, καὶ ἐρωτήσατε αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου εἰς εἰρήνην,

KJVAnd David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:

JPSAnd David sent ten young men, and David said unto the young men: ‘Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name;

ThomsonHealth and prosperity to thee, and thy house, and to all that thou hast.

BrentonAnd thus shall ye say, May thou and thy house seasonably prosper, and all thine be in prosperity.

Greekκαὶ ἐρεῖτε τάδε· εἰς ὥρας καὶ σὺ ὑγιαίνων καὶ ὁ οἶκός σου, καὶ πάντα τὰ σὰ ὑγιαίνοντα.

KJVAnd thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.

JPSand thus ye shall say: All hail! and peace be both unto thee, and peace be to thy house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.

ThomsonNow behold I have heard, that thy shepherds who were with us in the wilderness are now shearing. We did not molest them, nor exact anything of them all the time they were at Carmel. Inquire of thy servants, and they will tell thee.

BrentonAnd now, behold, I have heard that thy shepherds who were with us in the wilderness are shearing thy sheep, and we hindered them not, neither did we demand any thing from them all the time they were in Carmel.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ἀκήκοα ὅτι κείρουσί σοι νῦν οἱ ποιμένες σου οἳ ἦσαν μεθʼ ἡμῶν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκωλύσαμεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ οὐκ ἐνετειλάμεθα αὐτοῖς οὐθὲν πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ὄντων αὐτῶν ἐν Καρμήλῳ.

KJVAnd now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.

JPSAnd now I have heard that thou hast shearers; thy shepherds have now been with us, and we did them no hurt, neither was there aught missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.

ThomsonLet thy servants therefore find favour in thy sight, for we are come in a good time. Give, we pray thee, whatever thou canst conveniently to thy son David.

BrentonAsk thy servants, and they will tell thee. Let then thy servants find grace in thine eyes, for we are come on a good day; give, we pray thee, whatsoever thy hand may find, to thy son David.

GreekἘρώτησον τὰ παιδάριά σου, καὶ ἀπαγγελοῦσί σοι· καὶ εὑρέτωσαν τὰ παιδάριά σου χάριν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου, ὅτι ἐφʼ ἡμέραν ἀγαθὴν ἥκομεν· δὸς δὴ ὃ ἐὰν εὕρῃ ἡ χείρ σου τῷ υἱῷ σου τῷ Δαυίδ.

KJVAsk thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour 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.

JPSAsk thy young men, and they will tell thee; wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes; for we come on a good day; give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thy hand, unto thy servants, and to thy son David.’

ThomsonSo the young men went and delivered the message, in David’s name, to Nabal; in these very words.

BrentonSo the servants come and speak these words to Nabal, according to all these words in the name of David.

GreekΚαὶ ἔρχονται τὰ παιδάρια, καὶ λαλοῦσι τοὺς λόγους τούτους πρὸς Νάβαλ κατὰ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Δαυίδ· καὶ ἀνεπήδησε

KJVAnd when David’s young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

JPSAnd when David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

ThomsonUpon which Nabal started up, and in reply said to David’s young men, Who is David? and who is the son of Jessai? There are nowadays many slaves who run away every one from his master;

BrentonAnd Nabal sprang up, and answered the servants of David, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jessæ? now-a-days there is abundance of servants who depart every one from his master.

Greekκαὶ ἀπεκρίθη Νάβαλ τοῖς παισὶ Δαυὶδ, καὶ εἶπε, τίς ὁ Δαυὶδ, καὶ τίς ὁ υἱὸς Ἰεσσαί; σήμερον πεπληθυμένοι εἰσὶν οἱ δοῦλοι ἀναχωροῦντες ἕκαστος ἐκ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.

JPSAnd Nabal answered David’s servants, and said: ‘Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there are many servants now-a-days that break away every man from his master;

Thomsonand shall I take my bread, and my wine, and the flesh I have killed for my sheep shearers, and give them to men whom I know not whence they be?

BrentonAnd shall I take my bread, and my wine, and my beasts that I have slain for my shearers, and shall I give them to men of whom I know not whence they are?

GreekΚαὶ λήψομαι τοὺς ἄρτους μου καὶ τὸν οἶνόν μου καὶ τὰ θύματά μου ἃ τέθυκα τοῖς κείρουσί μου τὰ πρόβατα, καὶ δώσω αὐτὰ ἀνδράσιν, οἷς οὐκ οἶδα πόθεν εἰσί;

KJVShall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?

JPSshall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men of whom I know not whence they are?’

ThomsonAt this David’s young men turned about, and came away, and having returned, they came and told David these words,

BrentonSo the servants of David turned back, and returned, and came and reported to David according to these words.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεστράφησαν τὰ παιδάρια Δαυὶδ εἰς ὁδὸν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀνέστρεψαν καὶ ἦλθον, καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν τῷ Δαυὶδ κατὰ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα.

KJVSo David’s young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.

JPSSo David’s young men turned on their way, and went back, and came and told him according to all these words.

Thomsonwhereupon David said to his men, Gird on every man his sword. So there went up with David about four hundred men, and two hundred staid with the baggage.

BrentonAnd David said to his men, Gird on every man his sword. And they went up after David, about four hundred men: and two hundred abode with the stuff.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ τοῖς ἀνδράσιν αὐτοῦ, ζώσασθε ἕκαστος τὴν ῥομφαίαν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀνέβησαν ὀπίσω Δαυὶδ, ὡς τετρακόσιοι ἄνδρες· καὶ οἱ διακόσιοι ἐκάθισαν μετὰ τῶν σκευῶν.

KJVAnd David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

JPSAnd David said unto his men: ‘Gird ye on every man his sword.’ And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword; and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the baggage.

ThomsonNow one of his servants had told Abigaia, the wife of Nabal, saying, Behold, David sent messengers from the wilderness to salute our master; but he turned away from them.

BrentonAnd one of the servants reported to Abigaia the wife of Nabal, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our lord; but he turned away from them.

GreekΚαὶ τῇ Ἀβιγαίᾳ γυναικὶ Νάβαλ ἀπήγγειλεν ἓν τῶν παιδαρίων, λέγων, ἰδοὺ Δαυὶδ ἀπέστειλεν ἀγγέλους ἐκ τῆς ἐρήμου εὐλογῆσαι τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐξέκλινεν ἀπʼ αὐτῶν.

KJVBut one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.

JPSBut one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying: ‘Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he flew upon them.

ThomsonNow those men were very kind to us. They never molested us, nor exacted anything from us, all the time we were with them.

BrentonAnd the men were very good to us; they did not hinder us, neither did they demand from us any thing all the days that we were with them.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ ἄνδρες ἀγαθοὶ ἡμῖν σφόδρα, οὐκ ἀπεκώλυσαν ἡμᾶς, οὐδὲ ἐνετείλαντο ἡμῖν οὐδὲν πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἃς ἦμεν παρʼ αὐτοῖς.

KJVBut the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:

JPSBut the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we went with them, when we were in the fields;

ThomsonAnd when we were in the fields, they were like a wall around us night and day, all the time we were near them, tending the flock.

BrentonAnd when we were in the field, they were as a wall round about us, both by night and by day, all the days that we were with them feeding the flock.

GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῷ εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἐν ἀγρῷ, ὡς τεῖχος ἦσαν περὶ ἡμᾶς καὶ τὴν νύκτα καὶ τὴν ἡμέραν, πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἃς ἦμεν παρʼ αὐτοῖς ποιμαίνοντες τὸ ποίμνιον.

KJVThey were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

JPSthey were a wall unto us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

ThomsonNow therefore consider, and see what thou canst do: for there is mischief determined on against our master, and his household; but he is so perverse that there is no speaking to him.

BrentonAnd now do thou consider, and see what thou wilt do; for mischief is determined against our lord and against his house; and he is a vile character, and one cannot speak to him.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν γνῶθι καὶ ἴδε σὺ τί ποιήσεις, ὅτι συντετέλεσται ἡ κακία εἰς τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν καὶ εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ· καὶ οὗτος υἱὸς λοιμὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι λαλῆσαι πρὸς αὐτόν.

KJVNow 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.

JPSNow therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his house; for he is such a base fellow, that one cannot speak to him.’

ThomsonUpon this Abigaia hastened, and took two hundred loaves, and two vessels of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five ephahs of barley meal, and a gomer of dried raisins, and two hundred fig cakes, and laid them on asses,

BrentonAnd Abigaia hasted, and took two hundred loaves, and two vessels of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five ephahs of fine flour, and one homer of dried grapes, and two hundred cakes of figs, and put them upon asses.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσπευσεν Ἀβιγαία καὶ ἔλαβε διακοσίους ἄρτους, καὶ δύο ἀγγεῖα οἴνου, καὶ πέντε πρόβατα πεποιημένα, καὶ πέντε οἰφὶ ἀλφίτου, καὶ γόμορ ἓν σταφίδος, καὶ διακοσίας παλάθας, καὶ ἔθετο ἐπὶ τοὺς ὄνους.

KJVThen Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

JPSThen Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

Thomsonand said to her servants, Go on before me, and behold I will come after you: but she did not tell her husband.

BrentonAnd she said to her servants, Go on before me, and behold I come after you: but she told not her husband.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε τοῖς παιδαρίοις αὐτῆς, προπορεύεσθε ἔμπροσθέν μου, καὶ ἰδοὺ, ἐγὼ ὀπίσω ὑμῶν παραγίνομαι· καὶ τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς οὐκ ἀπήγγειλε.

KJVAnd she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.

JPSAnd she said unto her young men: ‘Go on before me; behold, I come after you.’ But she told not her husband Nabal.

ThomsonAnd it happened, that as she, mounted on her ass, was going down under the covert of the mountain, behold David and his men were coming down over against her; so she met them.

BrentonAnd it came to pass when she had mounted her ass and was going down by the covert of the mountain, behold, David and his men came down to meet her, and she met them.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη, αὐτῆς ἐπιβεβηκυίης ἐπὶ τὴν ὄνον καὶ καταβαινούσης ἐν σκέπῃ τοῦ ὄρους, καὶ ἰδοὺ Δαυὶδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ κατέβαινον εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀπήντησεν αὐτοῖς.

KJVAnd it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.

JPSAnd it was so, as she rode on her ass, and came down by the covert of the mountain, that, behold, David and his men came down towards her; and she met them.—

ThomsonNow David had said, Surely for an unrighteous fellow have I guarded all that he had in the wilderness, and we have not ordered the taking of any thing belonging to him: but he hath rewarded me evil for good.

BrentonAnd David said, Perhaps I have kept all his possessions in the wilderness that he should wrong me, and we did not order the taking any thing of all his goods; yet he has rewarded me evil for good.

GreekΚαὶ Δαυὶδ εἶπεν, ἴσως εἰς ἄδικον πεφύλακα πάντα τὰ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ οὐκ ἐνετειλάμεθα λαβεῖν ἐκ πάντων τῶν αὐτοῦ οὐθὲν, καὶ ἀνταπέδωκέ μοι πονηρὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν.

KJVNow 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.

JPSNow 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 returned me evil for good.

ThomsonGod do so to David, and more also, if by to-morrow morning I leave of all that belong to Nabal one man.

BrentonSo God do to David and more also, if I leave one male of all that belong to Nabal until the morning.

GreekΤάδε ποιήσαι ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Δαυὶδ καὶ τάδε προσθείη, εἰ ὑπολείψομαι ἐκ πάντων τῶν τοῦ Νάβαλ ἕως πρωΐ οὐροῦντα πρὸς τοῖχον.

KJVSo and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

JPSGod do so unto the enemies of David, and more also, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light so much as one male.’—

ThomsonAnd when Abigaia saw David, she hastened, and alighted from her ass, and fell on her face before David, and made obeisance to him on the ground,

BrentonAnd Abigaia saw David, and she hasted, and alighted from her ass; and she fell before David on her face, and did obeisance to him, bowing to the ground

GreekΚαὶ εἶδεν Ἀβιγαία τὸν Δαυίδ, καὶ ἔσπευσε καὶ κατεπήδησεν ἀπὸ τῆς ὄνου, καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐνώπιον Δαυὶδ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῆς, καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν

KJVAnd when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,

JPSAnd when Abigail saw David, she made haste, and alighted from her ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed down to the ground.

Thomsonat his feet, and said, On me, my lord, be my iniquity. Let thy servant, I beseech thee, speak in thine audience and hear the words of thy servant.

Brentoneven to his feet, and said, On me, my lord, be my wrong: let, I pray thee, thy servant speak in thine ears, and hear thou the words of thy servant.

Greekἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἐν ἐμοὶ κύριέ μου ἡ ἀδικία μου, λαλησάτω δὴ ἡ δούλη σου εἰς τὰ ὦτά σου, καὶ ἄκουσον λόγων τῆς δούλης σου.

KJVAnd fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.

JPSAnd she fell at his feet, and said: ‘Upon me, my lord, upon me be the iniquity; and let thy handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine ears, and hear thou the words of thy handmaid.

ThomsonLet not my lord, I pray thee, set his heart against this perverse man. For as is his name so is he. His name is Nabal, and with him is folly. But I thy servant did not see my lord’s servants whom thou didst send.

BrentonLet not my lord, I pray thee, take to heart this pestilent man, for according to his name, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thy handmaid saw not the servants of my lord whom thou didst send.

GreekΜὴ δὴ θέσθω ὁ κύριός μου καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸν ἄνθρωπον τὸν λοιμὸν τοῦτον, ὅτι κατὰ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ οὗτός ἐστι· Νάβαλ ὄνομα αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀφροσύνη μετʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐγὼ ἡ δούλη σου οὐκ εἶδον τὰ παιδάρια τοῦ κυρίου μου ἃ ἀπέστειλας.

KJVLet not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

JPSLet not my lord, I pray thee, regard this base fellow, even Nabal; for as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and churlishness is with him; but I thy handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

ThomsonNow therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth, and thy soul liveth, as the Lord hath withheld thee from coming to shed innocent blood, it was to save thy hand for thyself. Now therefore let all thine enemies and those who seek to hurt my lord be like Nabal.

BrentonAnd now, my lord, as the Lord lives, and thy soul lives, as the Lord has kept thee from coming against innocent blood, and from executing vengeance for thyself, now therefore let thine enemies, and those that seek evil against my lord, become as Nabal.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν κύριέ μου, ζῇ Κύριος καὶ ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου, καθὼς ἐκώλυσέ σε Κύριος τοῦ μὴ ἐλθεῖν εἰς αἷμα ἀθῶον, καὶ σώζειν τὴν χεῖρά σου σοί· καὶ νῦν γένοιντο ὡς Νάβαλ οἱ ἐχθροί σου καὶ οἱ ζητοῦντες τῷ κυρίῳ μου κακά.

KJVNow therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

JPSNow therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from bloodguiltiness, and from finding redress for thyself with thine own hand, now therefore let thine enemies, and them that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

ThomsonAnd now accept this present, which thy servant hath brought for my lord, and give it to the young men who attend my lord.

BrentonAnd now accept this token of goodwill, which thy servant has brought to my lord, and thou shalt give it to the servants that wait on my lord.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν λάβε τὴν εὐλογίαν ταύτην, ἣν ἐνήνοχεν ἡ δούλη σου τῷ κυρίῳ μου, καὶ δώσεις τοῖς παιδαρίοις τοῖς παρεστηκόσι τῷ κυρίῳ μου.

KJVAnd now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

JPSAnd now this present which thy servant hath brought unto my lord, let it be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

ThomsonForgive, I beseech thee, what is amiss in thy servant. Because the Lord will assuredly make for my lord a faithful house—because the Lord will fight the battle of my lord, therefore there must never be iniquity found in thee.

BrentonRemove, I pray thee, the trespass of thy servant; for the Lord will surely make for my lord a sure house, for the Lord fights the battles of my lord, and there shall no evil be ever found in thee.

GreekἎρον δὴ τὸ ἀνόμημα τῆς δούλης σου, ὅτι ποιῶν ποιήσει Κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου οἶκον πιστὸν, ὅτι πόλεμον κυρίου μου ὁ Κύριος πολεμεῖ, καὶ κακία οὐχ εὑρεθήσεται ἐν σοὶ πώποτε.

KJVI pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.

JPSForgive, I pray thee, the trespass of thy handmaid; for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD; and evil is not found in thee all thy days.

ThomsonThough a man may rise to pursue thee, and seek thy life, yet will the life of my lord be bound up in the bundle of life by the Lord God; but the life of thy enemies thou shalt sling out with a sling.

BrentonAnd if a man shall rise up persecuting thee and seeking thy life, yet shall the life of my lord be bound up in the bundle of life with the Lord God, and thou shalt whirl the life of thine enemies as in the midst of a sling.

GreekΚαὶ ἀναστήσεται ἄνθρωπος καταδιώκων σε καὶ ζητῶν τὴν ψυχήν σου, καὶ ἔσται ψυχὴ κυρίου μου ἐνδεδεμένη ἐν δεσμῷ τῆς ζωῆς παρὰ Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ ψυχὴν ἐχθρῶν σου σφενδονήσεις ἐν μέσῳ τῆς σφενδόνης.

KJVYet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.

JPSAnd though man be risen up to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul, yet the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as from the hollow of a sling.

ThomsonAnd when the Lord shall do for my lord all the good things which He hath spoken concerning thee, and hath made thee ruler over Israel,

BrentonAnd it shall be when the Lord shall have wrought for my lord all the good things he has spoken concerning thee, and shall appoint thee to be ruler over Israel;

GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ὅτε ποιήσῃ Κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου πάντα ὅσα ἐλάλησεν ἀγαθὰ ἐπὶ σὲ, καὶ ἐντελεῖταί σοι εἰς ἡγούμενον ἐπὶ Ἰσραὴλ,

KJVAnd it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;

JPSAnd it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that He hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee prince over Israel;

Thomsonthou my lord must not have the stain or guilt of having causelessly shed innocent blood. May the Lord therefore save the hand of my lord for himself, and kindly dispose my lord, that thou mayst remember thy servant, to deal kindly by her.

Brentonthen this shall not be an abomination and offence to my lord, to have shed innocent blood without cause, and for my lord to have avenged himself: and so may the Lord do good to my lord, and thou shalt remember thine handmaid to do her good.

Greekκαὶ οὐκ ἔσται σοι τοῦτο βδελυγμὸς καὶ σκάνδαλον τῷ κυρίῳ μου, ἐκχέαι αἷμα ἀθῶον δωρεὰν, καὶ σῶσαι χεῖρα κυρίῳ μου αὐτῷ· καὶ ἀγαθώσαι Κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μοῦ, καὶ μνησθήσῃ τῆς δούλης σου ἀγαθῶσαι αὐτῇ.

KJVThat this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence 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.

JPSthat this shall be no stumbling-block unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood without cause, or that my lord hath found redress for himself. And when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thy handmaid.’

ThomsonThereupon David said to Abigaia, Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who hath sent thee this day to meet me.

BrentonAnd David said to Abigaia, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent thee this very day to meet me:

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ τῇ Ἀβιγαίᾳ, εὐλογητὸς Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ, ὃς ἀπέστειλέ σε σήμερον ἐν ταύτῃ εἰς ἀπάντησίν μοι,

KJVAnd David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

JPSAnd David said to Abigail: ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent thee this day to meet me;

ThomsonAnd blessed be thy conduct, and blessed thou who hast kept me back from coming to blood, that I might save my hand for myself.

Brentonand blessed be thy conduct, and blessed be thou, who hast hindered me this very day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself.

Greekκαὶ εὐλογητὸς ὁ τρόπος σου, καὶ εὐλογημένη σὺ ἡ ἀποκωλύσασά με σήμερον ἐν ταύτῃ μὴ ἐλθεῖν εἰς αἵματα, καὶ σῶσαι χεῖρά μου ἐμοί.

KJVAnd blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

JPSand blessed be thy discretion, and blessed be thou, that hast kept me this day from bloodguiltiness, and from finding redress for myself with mine own hand.

ThomsonFor as the Lord God of Israel liveth, who hath this day withheld me from doing thee an injury, if thou hadst not hastened, and come to meet me, I had determined that by the morning light there should not be left to Nabal one man.

BrentonBut surely as the Lord God of Israel lives, who hindered me this day from doing thee harm, if thou hadst not hasted and come to meet me, then I said, There shall surely not be left to Nabal till the morning one male.

GreekΠλὴν ὅτι ζῇ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ, ὃς ἀπεκώλυσέ σε σήμερον τοῦ κακοποιῆσαί σε, ὅτι εἰ μὴ ἔσπευσας καὶ παρεγένου εἰς ἀπάντησίν μοι, τότε εἶπα, εἰ ὑπολειφθήσεται τῷ Νάβαλ ἕως φωτὸς τοῦ πρωῒ οὐρῶν πρὸς τοῖχον.

KJVFor in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

JPSFor in very deed, as the LORD, the God of Israel, liveth, who hath withholden me from hurting thee, except thou hadst made haste and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light so much as one male.’

ThomsonThen David received at her hand all that she brought him, and said to her, Go up in peace to thy house. See, I have hearkened to thy voice from a personal regard to thee.

BrentonAnd David took of her hand all that she brought to him, and said to her, Go in peace to thy house: see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and accepted thy petition.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβε Δαυὶδ ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτῆς πάντα ἃ ἔφερεν αὐτῷ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ, ἀνάβηθι εἰς εἰρήνην εἰς οἶκόν σου· βλέπε, ἤκουσα τῆς φωνῆς σου, καὶ ἠρέτισα τὸ πρόσωπόν σου.

KJVSo David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

JPSSo David received of her hand that which she had brought him; and he said unto her: ‘Go up in peace to thy house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.’

ThomsonThen Abigaia went to Nabal, and behold he had an entertainment at his house like that of a king, and Nabal’s heart was elated for he was very drunk, so she told him nothing less or more till the next morning.

BrentonAnd Abigaia came to Nabal: and, behold, he had a banquet in his house, as the banquet of a king, and the heart of Nabal was merry within him, and he was very drunken: and she told him nothing great or small till the morning light.

GreekΚαὶ παρεγενήθη Ἀβιγαία πρὸς Νάβαλ· καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτῷ πότος ἐν οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ, ὡς πότος βασιλέως· καὶ ἡ καρδία Νάβαλ ἀγαθὴ ἐπʼ αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς μεθύων ἕως σφόδρα· καὶ οὐκ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ ῥῆμα μικρὸν ἢ μέγα ἕως φωτὸς τοῦ πρωΐ.

KJVAnd Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

JPSAnd Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken; wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

ThomsonBut in the morning when Nabal had recovered from his wine, his wife told him all these things, and his heart was confounded, and he became like a stone.

BrentonAnd it came to pass in the morning, when Nabal recovered from his wine, his wife told him these words; and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο πρωῒ, ὡς ἐξένηψεν ἀπὸ τοῦ οἴνου Νάβαλ, ἀπήγγειλεν ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα· καὶ ἐναπέθανεν ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ, καὶ αὐτὸς γίνεται ὡς λίθος.

KJVBut it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.

JPSAnd it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.

ThomsonAnd in about ten days the Lord smote Nabal, and he died.

BrentonAnd it came to pass after about ten days, that the Lord smote Nabal, and he died.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ δέκα ἡμέραι, καὶ ἐπάταξε Κύριος τὸν Νάβαλ, καὶ ἀπέθανε.

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

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

ThomsonAnd when David heard it, he said, Blessed be the Lord Who hath judged the cause of my reproach, out of the hand of Nabal, and hath preserved his servant from the hand of wicked men. The Lord hath turned the wickedness of Nabal on his own head. Then David sent and spoke of Abigaia to take her for a wife;

BrentonAnd David heard it and said, Blessed be the Lord, who has judged the cause of my reproach at the hand of Nabal, and has delivered his servant from the power of evil; and the Lord has returned the mischief of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and spoke concerning Abigaia, to take her to himself for a wife.

GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσε Δαυὶδ, καὶ εἶπεν, εὐλογητὸς Κύριος, ὃς ἔκρινε τὴν κρίσιν τοῦ ὀνειδισμοῦ μου ἐκ χειρὸς Νάβαλ, καὶ τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ περιεποιήσατο ἐκ χειρὸς κακῶν, καὶ τὴν κακίαν Νάβαλ ἀπέστρεψε Κύριος εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἀπέστειλε Δαυὶδ καὶ ἐλάλησε περὶ Ἀβιγαίας, λαβεῖν αὐτὴν ἑαυτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα.

KJVAnd when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.

JPSAnd when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said: ‘Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept back His servant from evil; and the evil-doing of Nabal hath the LORD returned upon his own head.’ And David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to him to wife.

Thomsonand when David’s servants came to Abigaia to Carmel, and spoke to her, saying, David hath sent us to thee to take thee to himself for a wife,

BrentonSo the servants of David came to Abigaia to Carmel, and spoke to her, saying, David has sent us to thee, to take thee to himself for a wife.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθον οἱ παῖδες Δαυὶδ πρὸς Ἀβιγαίαν εἰς Κάρμηλον, καὶ ἐλάλησαν αὐτῇ, λέγοντες, Δαυὶδ ἀπέστειλεν ἡμᾶς πρὸς σὲ, λαβεῖν σε αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα.

KJVAnd when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.

JPSAnd when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke unto her, saying: ‘David hath sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.’

Thomsonshe arose, and bowed down to the ground on her face, and said, Behold thy servant is ready to be a house maid to wash the feet of thy servants.

BrentonAnd she arose, and did reverence with her face to the earth, and said, Behold, thy servant is for an handmaid to wash the feet of thy servants.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη καὶ προσεκύνησεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον, καὶ εἶπεν, ἰδοὺ ἡ δούλη σου εἰς παιδίσκην νίψαι πόδας τῶν παίδων σου.

KJVAnd she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

JPSAnd she arose, and bowed down with her face to the earth, and said: ‘Behold, thy handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.’

ThomsonThen Abigaia arose, and mounted her ass, and five maids accompanied her, and she went with David’s servants, and became his wife.

BrentonAnd Abigaia arose, and mounted her ass, and five damsels followed her: and she went after the servants of David, and became his wife.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη Ἀβιγαία, καὶ ἐπέβη ἐπὶ τὴν ὄνον, καὶ πέντε κοράσια ἠκολούθουν αὐτῇ, καὶ ἐπορεύθη ὀπίσω τῶν παίδων Δαυὶδ, καὶ γίνεται αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα.

KJVAnd Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.

JPSAnd Abigail hastened, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that followed her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.

ThomsonNow David had taken Achinaam of Jezrael, and they were both his wives.

BrentonAnd David took Achinaam out of Jezrael, and they were both his wives.

GreekΚαὶ τὴν Ἀχινάαμ ἔλαβε Δαυὶδ ἐξ Ἰεζραὲλ, καὶ ἀμφότεραι ἦσαν αὐτῷ γυναῖκες.

KJVDavid also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.

JPSDavid also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they became both of them his wives.

ThomsonAnd Saul gave his daughter Melchol, David’s wife, to Phalti, son of Amis, of Romma.

BrentonAnd Saul gave Melchol his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Amis who was of Romma.

GreekΚαὶ Σαοὺλ ἔδωκε Μελχὸλ τὴν θυγατέρα αὐτοῦ τὴν γυναῖκα Δαυὶδ τῷ Φαλτὶ υἱῷ Ἀμὶς τῷ ἐκ Ῥομμᾶ.

KJVBut Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.

JPSNow Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.