Bible Strands
1 Samuel 25:17
Now 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!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abigail addresses David’s messengers at the precise moment Nabal’s insult has triggered David’s vow to annihilate his household.
The words — The Hebrew כָלְתָה (khal.Tah) literally means “it has been determined” or “has come to an end,” marking the impending disaster as fixed.
The thread — This warning aligns with the sudden judgment pattern in Deuteronomy 13:13 and the discernment of royal wrath in 1 Samuel 20:7.
Why it lands — The text states that disaster is already fixed over Nabal’s house, which demands immediate strategic action rather than passive observation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now 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.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 13:13 that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known),
- 1 Samuel 20:7 If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant is safe, but if he is enraged, you will know he has evil intentions.
- Judges 19:22 While they were enjoying themselves, suddenly the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they said to the old man who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him!”
- 1 Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD
- 1 Samuel 20:9 “Never!” Jonathan replied. “If I ever found out that my father had evil intentions against you, would I not tell you?”
- 1 Samuel 20:32 “Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?”
- 1 Samuel 25:25 My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.
- 2 Samuel 23:6 But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand.
- 1 Kings 21:10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
- 1 Kings 21:13 And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.