1 Samuel 25:12

¶ So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.

So David's {H1732} young men {H5288} turned {H2015} their way {H1870}, and went again {H7725}, and came {H935} and told {H5046} him all those sayings {H1697}.

So David's men turned around, went back and came and told him everything Naval had said.

So David’s men turned around and went back, and they relayed to him all these words.

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 25:12 marks a pivotal moment in the dramatic encounter between David and Nabal, setting the stage for a near-catastrophe averted by divine intervention. This verse describes the return of David's young men after their unsuccessful mission to Nabal.

Context

Prior to this verse, David, while hiding from King Saul in the wilderness of Paran, had provided protection to Nabal's shepherds and flocks from raiders. As a customary gesture of goodwill and a request for sustenance during the sheep-shearing festival (a time of feasting), David sent ten young men to Nabal, a wealthy but ill-tempered man from Maon, requesting provisions. Instead of reciprocating David's kindness, Nabal responded with contempt and insults, questioning David's identity and authority (1 Samuel 25:10-11). This verse simply states that David's messengers relayed Nabal's harsh "sayings" back to him, precipitating David's furious response.

Key Themes

  • The Conveyance of Crucial Information: The young men faithfully execute their duty, bringing back the full, unvarnished report of Nabal's insolence. This information is vital for David to assess the situation and plan his next move.
  • Igniting Conflict: Nabal's insulting refusal, as reported by David's men, directly triggers David's decision to arm his men and march to Nabal's estate, intending to wipe out Nabal's household (1 Samuel 25:13). This highlights the immediate and dangerous consequences of Nabal's foolishness.
  • The Contrast of Character: This verse underscores the stark contrast between David, who sought peaceful provision, and Nabal, whose foolish and churlish nature is now fully exposed through his "sayings."

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "all those sayings" translates the Hebrew word d'varim (דְּבָרִים), which means "words," "matters," or "things." It implies not just the literal words Nabal spoke, but the entire content, tone, and implication of his rude dismissal. It encompasses the full message of Nabal's contempt and ingratitude, which was profoundly offensive to David. This same Hebrew word is used in other contexts, for instance, to describe "all these things" in Genesis 24:66 concerning Abraham's servant's report.

Practical Application

This verse, while seemingly simple, illustrates the power of communication and the immediate impact of negative reports. It reminds us:

  • The Weight of Words: Nabal's "sayings" had serious repercussions, demonstrating how quickly words can escalate a situation from a request to a crisis. This serves as a cautionary tale about the power of the tongue.
  • The Importance of Bearing News: The young men fulfilled their duty, regardless of the message's content. In our own lives, delivering or receiving difficult news is often a necessary step, though it requires wisdom in how it's handled.
  • Controlling Our Reactions: While David's initial reaction was swift and vengeful, the subsequent events show the importance of seeking divine guidance and listening to wise counsel, as David eventually did through Abigail (1 Samuel 25:32-33).
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Cross-References

  • Hebrews 13:17

    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.

  • 2 Samuel 24:13

    So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.

  • Isaiah 36:21

    But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

  • Isaiah 36:22

    Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with [their] clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
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