1 Samuel 25:16

Verse

They were a wall around us, both day and night, the whole time we were herding our sheep near them.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

But day and night they were like a wall round us while we were with them, looking after the sheep.

They were like a protective wall to us, both day and night, during the whole time we were with them looking after the sheep.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

They protected us during the daytime and during the night. They were like a wall [MET] around us to protect us while we were taking care of our sheep.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They were a wall to us both day and night, all the while we were with them tending the sheep.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

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

Young's Literal Translation

a wall they have been unto us both by night and by day, all the days of our being with them, feeding the flock.

Context

David, Nabal, and Abigail

¹⁵Yet 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.¹⁶They were a wall around us, both day and night, the whole time we were herding our sheep near them.¹⁷Now consider carefully what you must do, because disaster looms over our master and all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that nobody can speak to him!”

Sermons

That They Much Dispose Persons With Their Mouths to Praise and Glorify God, Is No Sign

Jonathan Edwards

Summary

In this verse, we see Abigail, the wife of Nabal, taking action to prevent David from seeking revenge against her foolish and disrespectful husband. She demonstrates wisdom, humility, and courage by humbly approaching David with gifts and a plea for mercy. Abigail's intervention not only spares her household from destruction but also prevents David from committing a rash and vengeful act. This passage showcases the importance of peacemaking, wisdom, and the power of a humble and respectful approach in diffusing conflict.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

They were a wall unto us both by night and day,.... Protecting and defending them against the Philistines, who, as they robbed the threshing floors of Keilah, would have plundered the flocks of Nabal; or it may be rather against the incursions of the Arabs in the wilderness of Paran, the posterity of Ishmael, who lived by plunder, and against the wild beasts of the desert, who otherwise would have carried off many of their sheep and lambs, by night or by day: all the while we were with them keeping the sheep; all which showed how reasonable it was that Nabal should have used them well, and given them a portion of his entertainment at his sheep shearing; for had it not been for them, he would not have had so many sheep to shear as he had.