Bible Strands
1 Samuel 26:25
Saul said to him, “May you be blessed, David my son. You will accomplish great things and will surely prevail.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Saul speaks to David after sparing his life in the wilderness, pronouncing a blessing over him and predicting his future success. The passage closes with both men returning to their separate homes.
The words — The Hebrew בָּרוּךְ (barukh) literally means "blessed" or "set apart for favor," serving here as a formal declaration of divine goodwill toward David.
The thread — The blessing formula aligns with the covenant pattern in Numbers 24:9, while the narrative context recalls the mercy exchange in 1 Samuel 24:19 and echoes the cautionary tone of Proverbs 26:25 regarding an enemy's sudden favor.
Why it lands — The text records a political reconciliation that explicitly acknowledges David's future dominance, requiring readers to recognize how sudden enemy praise often precedes renewed conflict rather than signaling genuine peace.
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
Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
Cross-references
- Numbers 24:9 He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”
- 1 Samuel 24:19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.
- Proverbs 26:25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
- Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.
- Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
- Genesis 32:28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.”
- 1 Samuel 24:22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
- Hosea 12:4 Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there—
- Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?