This verse from 1 Samuel 25:16 is part of a longer narrative about David and Nabal. To understand its meaning, we need a bit of context:
David: He was a young warrior who would later become King of Israel. He and his men were essentially protecting the flocks of wealthy landowners in the area.
Nabal: A rich, but arrogant and churlish man who owned a large flock of sheep.
The Situation: David had provided protection for Nabal's shepherds, preventing them from being raided by bandits or wild animals. He then sent a request to Nabal for some supplies as payment for this protection. Nabal, however, refused and insulted David.
Now, let's break down the meaning of the verse:
"They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep."
"They were a wall to us..." This refers to David and his men acting as a protective barrier. The term "wall" is a metaphor for a strong defense against danger.
"...both by night and by day..." This emphasizes the constant and unwavering protection David and his men provided. They were vigilant at all times, ensuring the safety of the sheep.
"...all the while we were with them keeping the sheep." This clarifies the duration of the protection. David and his men were consistently safeguarding Nabal's flocks while they were in the vicinity, managing the sheep.
In essence, the verse means that David and his men served as a constant, reliable, and unwavering shield of protection around Nabal's shepherds and their sheep, preventing them from harm both day and night.
The significance of this verse is to highlight Nabal's ingratitude. David and his men provided a valuable service, and Nabal's refusal to acknowledge this and offer even basic compensation was seen as a great offense and a sign of his base character. It sets the stage for David's anger and desire for revenge, which is eventually averted by the intervention of Nabal's wise wife, Abigail.
This verse from 1 Samuel 25:16 is part of a longer narrative about David and Nabal. To understand its meaning, we need a bit of context:
David: He was a young warrior who would later become King of Israel. He and his men were essentially protecting the flocks of wealthy landowners in the area.
Nabal: A rich, but arrogant and churlish man who owned a large flock of sheep.
The Situation: David had provided protection for Nabal's shepherds, preventing them from being raided by bandits or wild animals. He then sent a request to Nabal for some supplies as payment for this protection. Nabal, however, refused and insulted David.
Now, let's break down the meaning of the verse:
"They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep."
"They were a wall to us..." This refers to David and his men acting as a protective barrier. The term "wall" is a metaphor for a strong defense against danger.
"...both by night and by day..." This emphasizes the constant and unwavering protection David and his men provided. They were vigilant at all times, ensuring the safety of the sheep.
"...all the while we were with them keeping the sheep." This clarifies the duration of the protection. David and his men were consistently safeguarding Nabal's flocks while they were in the vicinity, managing the sheep.
In essence, the verse means that David and his men served as a constant, reliable, and unwavering shield of protection around Nabal's shepherds and their sheep, preventing them from harm both day and night.
The significance of this verse is to highlight Nabal's ingratitude. David and his men provided a valuable service, and Nabal's refusal to acknowledge this and offer even basic compensation was seen as a great offense and a sign of his base character. It sets the stage for David's anger and desire for revenge, which is eventually averted by the intervention of Nabal's wise wife, Abigail.