1 Samuel 25:6

and say to him, ‘Long life to you, and peace to you and to your house and to all that belongs to you.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — David’s ten envoys deliver a formal greeting to Nabal at Carmel during the sheep-shearing season. The message conveys wishes for longevity and stability to Nabal, his household, and his property.

The words — The Hebrew שָׁלוֹם (shalom) appears three times in the verse, establishing a baseline of wholeness and security for the recipient and his estate. The phrase לֶ/חָ֑י (le./Chai) literally translates to “to the living one,” functioning as a standard ancient Near Eastern blessing for prolonged life.

The thread — This greeting formula echoes in 1 Chronicles 12:18 where Amasai pledges loyalty to David, and Psalms 122:7 where the psalmist prays for peace within Jerusalem’s walls. Jesus later adapts the structure in Luke 10:5, instructing disciples to initiate house visits with a declaration of peace.

Why it lands — The text records a diplomatic courtesy that acknowledges past non-aggression while requesting future goodwill. It asks a reader to recognize how ancient correspondence used structured blessings to negotiate social boundaries and secure safe passage.

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

וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֥םva./'a.mar.Temand/ you will say כֹּ֖הkohthus לֶחָ֑יle./Chaito the/ living [one]וְאַתָּ֤הve./'a.Tahand/ you שָׁלוֹם֙sha.lOmpeace וּבֵיתְךָ֣u./vei.te./Khaand/ house/ your שָׁל֔וֹםsha.Lompeace וְכֹ֥לve./Kholand/ all אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-thatלְךָ֖le./Kha[belongs] to <the>/ youשָׁלֽוֹם׃sha.Lompeace

King James Version

And 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.

Cross-references

1 Chronicles 12:18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops.
Psalms 122:7 May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.”
Luke 10:5 Whatever house you enter, begin by saying, ‘Peace to this house.’
1 Timothy 5:6 But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
Matthew 10:12 As you enter the home, greet its occupants.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Samuel 18:28 Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” And he bowed facedown before the king. He continued, “Blessed be the LORD your God! He has delivered up the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.”
1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.