1 Samuel 25:15

KJV

But 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:

KJV (with Strong's)

But the men {H582} were very {H3966} good {H2896} unto us, and we were not hurt {H3637}, neither missed {H6485} we any thing {H3972}, as long as {H3117} we were conversant {H1980} with them, when we were in the fields {H7704}:

Complete Jewish Bible

even though the men had been very good to us - they didn't harm us, and we found nothing missing during the entire time we went with them, while we were out in the countryside.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet these men were very good to us. When we were in the field, we were not harassed, and nothing of ours went missing the whole time we lived among them.

American Standard Version

But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we anything, as long as we went with them, when we were in the fields:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 25:15 is a pivotal statement within Abigail's urgent plea to David, serving as irrefutable evidence of the profound benefit and unwavering protection David's men had extended to Nabal's shepherds. This verse starkly contrasts the selfless benevolence and diligent care provided by David's company with the egregious ingratitude and foolishness displayed by Nabal, thereby justifying David's righteous anger while simultaneously laying the groundwork for Abigail's successful intercession and the eventual averting of disaster.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is spoken by Abigail, the discerning wife of Nabal, directly to David, who is enraged and on his way to destroy Nabal and his household. It immediately follows the messengers' report of Nabal's contemptuous refusal to provide provisions to David's men, despite their protective service. Abigail's speech, beginning in [1 Samuel 25:24](/1_samuel/25-24 "Abigail's Plea to David"), is a masterful act of diplomacy and intercession, designed to de-escalate David's wrath and prevent him from shedding innocent blood. Verse 15 specifically details the undisputed facts of David's men's conduct, establishing the moral high ground for David's initial request and highlighting Nabal's culpability, thereby strengthening Abigail's argument for mercy and restraint.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the wilderness of Judah, a rugged and often lawless frontier where shepherds and their flocks were highly vulnerable to raids from bandits, Philistines, or other marauding groups. In such an environment, large, armed bands like David's, though technically outlaws from King Saul's perspective, could inadvertently or intentionally serve as a vital protective force. The sheep-shearing festival was a time of great prosperity and communal feasting, traditionally marked by lavish generosity and hospitality. Nabal's refusal to reciprocate David's protective service with provisions was not merely stinginess but a grave insult, a breach of customary hospitality, and an act of profound social and economic disrespect, particularly given the implicit "protection money" dynamic that often existed in such regions.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Providence and Protection**, as David's men, though operating outside formal state structures, functioned as instruments of security for Nabal's vulnerable assets in a dangerous landscape, mirroring God's own protective care for His people (cf. [Psalm 121:7-8](/psalms/121-7 "The Lord Will Protect You")). It highlights **Kindness and Reciprocity**, demonstrating that David's men acted with unmerited favor, expecting a just return for their service, which Nabal failed to provide, thus introducing the theme of **Ingratitude and Folly**. Nabal's "churlish and evil" nature, as described in [1 Samuel 25:3](/1_samuel/25-3 "Nabal's Character"), is contrasted with the "very good" conduct of David's men, setting up a clear moral dichotomy. Furthermore, Abigail's testimony serves as crucial **Witness and Truth-Telling**, providing an objective account that validates David's grievance and underscores Nabal's profound foolishness, ultimately leading to divine judgment (see [1 Samuel 25:38](/1_samuel/25-38 "The Lord Strikes Nabal")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭôḇ_):** The Hebrew word "ṭôḇ" is far richer than a simple moral descriptor. It encompasses ideas of benefit, prosperity, pleasantness, and kindness. When Abigail states David's men were "very good unto us," she means they were exceedingly beneficial, helpful, and provided tangible advantages, ensuring the well-being and flourishing of Nabal's shepherds and flocks. It denotes a positive, active influence, not merely an absence of harm.
* **Missed (Hebrew, _ḥāsar_):** The verb "ḥāsar" means to lack, diminish, be wanting, or suffer loss. The phrase "neither missed we any thing" (לֹא חָסַר) is a strong declaration of complete security and provision. It implies that under David's men's watch, no sheep were stolen, no equipment was lost, and no harm came to the shepherds or their property. This speaks to the thoroughness and effectiveness of their protective presence, highlighting the immense value of their service.
* **Conversant (Hebrew, _mit'halləkîm_):** This is the Hithpael participle of the verb "hālak," meaning "to walk" or "to go." The Hithpael stem often denotes a reflexive or reciprocal action, or a prolonged, habitual activity. "As long as we were conversant with them" literally means "as long as we were walking about with them" or "moving around with them." This implies a continuous, close, and daily interaction in the fields, suggesting an intimate familiarity with their conduct and a sustained period of observation, making the shepherds' testimony about David's men's goodness highly credible and undeniable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the men [were] very good unto us":** This opening clause immediately establishes the benevolent nature of David's company. Abigail, speaking on behalf of the shepherds, affirms their positive experience. The superlative "very good" emphasizes the extraordinary and consistent kindness, benefit, and protection they received, setting a stark contrast with Nabal's later actions.
* **"and we were not hurt":** This phrase directly addresses the physical safety and well-being of the shepherds. In a dangerous wilderness environment, the absence of harm was a significant blessing. It implies that David's men not only refrained from causing trouble but actively deterred potential threats, ensuring the shepherds' personal security.
* **"neither missed we any thing":** This clause speaks to the material security of Nabal's vast flocks and possessions. It asserts that no livestock was stolen or lost, and no property was plundered under the watch of David's men. This highlights their diligence and effectiveness as an informal protective force, preserving Nabal's wealth.
* **"as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields":** This final phrase provides crucial context and credibility. It specifies the duration and location of David's men's protective service. "Conversant with them" implies a sustained, close, and observed relationship, underscoring that the shepherds had ample, firsthand experience of David's men's consistent good conduct in the very places where their flocks were most vulnerable. This makes the shepherds' testimony, relayed by Abigail, an undeniable truth.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is foundational, subtly pitting the "very good" conduct of David's men against the implied "evil" of Nabal, which is explicitly stated elsewhere in the chapter. Abigail's words serve as a powerful **Testimony** or **Witness**, providing an objective, firsthand account from the shepherds, which lends undeniable credibility to her argument. The phrase "neither missed we any thing" functions as **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, underscoring the absolute and complete nature of the protection provided, suggesting a level of security that was remarkable for the time and place. Finally, there is an element of **Irony** in Nabal's ingratitude; he repays the very people who ensured his prosperity with insult, demonstrating a profound lack of wisdom and foresight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse resonates with profound theological and thematic truths concerning the nature of service, the expectation of gratitude, and the consequences of ingratitude. It illustrates how even seemingly secular acts of protection and provision can reflect divine principles. David's men, in their wilderness wanderings, became instruments of order and security, mirroring God's own providential care for His people, who often find themselves vulnerable in a hostile world. Nabal's failure to recognize and reciprocate this goodness is a theological indictment of his character, demonstrating a heart hardened against generosity and truth, a spiritual blindness to the blessings he received. His ingratitude is not just a social faux pas but a moral failing that invites divine judgment, underscoring the biblical emphasis on acknowledging and valuing the good deeds of others, as ultimately all blessings flow from God.

* [Proverbs 17:13](/proverbs/17-13 "Proverbs 17:13 - Repaying Evil for Good")
* [Psalm 23:1](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd")
* [Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - What You Do for the Least of These")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Abigail's testimony in 1 Samuel 25:15 offers a powerful lesson for contemporary believers on the critical importance of gratitude, discernment, and valuing the unseen acts of service that often protect and sustain us. Nabal's tragic flaw was his inability to recognize the immense blessing and protection he received, leading him to repay good with evil and almost bringing destruction upon his entire household. For us, this verse serves as a profound call to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness, not just for grand gestures, but for the daily, often unnoticed, acts of kindness, provision, and protection we experience. It challenges us to be discerning, to see beyond superficial appearances and recognize the true value of those who serve, protect, and contribute to our well-being, whether in our families, communities, or churches. Furthermore, it warns against the destructive pride and spiritual blindness that lead to ingratitude, reminding us that such a posture can alienate us from others and from God's continued favor. Our response to the goodness of others, and ultimately to the goodness of God, reveals the true posture of our hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be overlooking or underappreciating the "very good" acts of others or the providential care of God?**
* **How does a spirit of gratitude protect us from the "Nabal-like" folly of ingratitude and its destructive consequences?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to intentionally acknowledge and affirm those who serve and protect you, whether formally or informally?**

### FAQ
**What does this verse teach us about Nabal's character and his ultimate fate?**

Answer: This verse, spoken by Abigail, profoundly illuminates Nabal's character through the stark contrast it presents. By detailing the consistent "good" and protective service of David's men, it underscores Nabal's profound ingratitude and foolishness in repaying such valuable assistance with insult and refusal. Nabal's inability to recognize or appreciate the tangible benefits he received reveals a man who is not only "churlish and evil in his doings" as described in [1 Samuel 25:3](/1_samuel/25-3 "Nabal's Character"), but also spiritually blind and self-destructive. His actions, rooted in pride and a lack of discernment, directly lead to David's wrath and ultimately to divine judgment. As recounted later in [1 Samuel 25:38](/1_samuel/25-38 "The Lord Strikes Nabal"), the Lord Himself struck Nabal, and he died, demonstrating that his ingratitude was not merely a social offense but a spiritual one, incurring God's righteous displeasure.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 25:15, with its depiction of David's men as selfless protectors and providers, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Just as David's men ensured that Nabal's shepherds "were not hurt, neither missed we any thing," Christ, our [Great Shepherd](/hebrews/13-20 "Hebrews 13:20 - The Great Shepherd"), offers perfect and complete protection to His flock. He is the one who lays down His life for the sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")), ensuring that none are lost or snatched from His hand ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - No One Can Snatch Them")). Nabal's ingratitude, despite receiving such tangible benefits, mirrors humanity's fallen state, often rejecting the abundant provision and salvation offered by God in Christ ([Romans 1:21](/romans/1-21 "Romans 1:21 - Unthankfulness of Humanity")). Yet, just as Abigail's intercession averted David's wrath, Christ Himself stands as our [Mediator and Advocate](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator") before the Father, ensuring that those who trust in Him receive not wrath, but eternal life and a fullness where they "lack nothing" ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")). The "very good" service of David's men finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the boundless goodness and sacrificial love of Jesus, who provides for every need, protects from every spiritual foe, and ensures our eternal security.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 25:7

And 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.

1 Samuel 25:21

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.

Philippians 2:15

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;