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Book of 1 Samuel - Chapter 25 - Verse 31

25:31
That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.

Meaning

In this verse, one can see a clear display of humility and wisdom from Abigail, a woman from the Bible known for her intelligence and grace. She is speaking to David, who was on his way to avenge himself for an offense committed against him. Abigail pleads with David not to let the act of shedding blood be a grief or offense to him, as she recognizes the righteousness of his cause. She also acknowledges that vengeance belongs to the Lord and that it is not for David to be burdened with it. Abigail's words serve as a reminder for all believers to trust in God's justice and to not seek revenge on our own. She demonstrates a deep understanding of the importance of letting go of grudges and leaving matters in God's hands. This verse ultimately teaches us to have faith in the Lord's timing and to trust that He will deal well with us in the end.

Theological Overview

In this verse, Abigail is speaking to David, acknowledging that the situation could have been a source of grief to him because of the shedding of blood. However, she assures him that it will not be a cause for concern as God will ultimately vindicate him. The term "avenged" here indicates that David was tempted to take matters into his own hands, but Abigail gently reminds him that God is the ultimate avenger. This verse emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's justice and not seeking vengeance on our own. Abigail's words serve as a reminder to David that God is the one who ultimately rights the wrongs. She confidently declares that when the Lord has dealt well with David, he should remember her and the role she played in preventing bloodshed. This verse shines a light on the importance of faith in God's justice and the wisdom in allowing God to handle justice rather than seeking revenge ourselves.

American Standard Version

that this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood without cause, or that my lord hath avenged himself. And when Jehovah shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thy handmaid.
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