1 Samuel 25:29

29 Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.

1 Samuel 25:29 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
29 Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.
English Standard Version (ESV)
29 If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the LORD your God. And the lives of your enemies he shall sling out as from the hollow of a sling.
New Living Translation (NLT)
29 “Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the LORD your God, secure in his treasure pouch! But the lives of your enemies will disappear like stones shot from a sling!
The Message Bible (MSG)
29 If anyone stands in your way, if anyone tries to get you out of the way, Know this: Your God-honored life is tightly bound in the bundle of God-protected life; But the lives of your enemies will be hurled aside as a stone is thrown from a sling.
American Standard Version (ASV)
29 And though men be risen up to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul, yet the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with Jehovah thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as from the hollow of a sling.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
29 Even though someone pursued you and sought your life, your life is wrapped in the bundle of life which comes from the LORD your God. But he will dispose of the lives of your enemies like stones thrown from a sling.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
29 "When someone pursues you and attempts to take your life, my lord's life will be tucked safely in the place where the Lord your God protects the living. However, He will fling away your enemies' lives like [stones] from a sling.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
29 "Someone may chase you and try to kill you. But the LORD your God will keep your life safe like a treasure that is hidden in a bag. And he'll destroy your enemies. Their lives will be thrown away, just as a stone is thrown from a sling.

1 Samuel 25:29 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 25:29

Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul
His life, to take it away, meaning Saul, whom she chose not to name, because he was king:

but the soul of my lord shall be bound up in the bundle of life with
the Lord thy God;
should be dear unto the Lord, precious in his esteem, and be carefully preserved by him, among other his chosen ones, and should be safe with him, in his hands, and under his care and keeping; the Jews refer this to eternal life in the world to come, and the safety and security of his soul hereafter; so the Targum,

``the soul of my lord shall be treasured up in the treasury of eternal life, before the Lord thy God:''

hence they speak of the souls of the righteous being laid up under the throne of glory F5, in proof of which they produce this text; and so Maimonides F6 understands it of what should be after death, see ( Revelation 6:9 ) ( Colossians 3:3 ) ;

and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, [as out] of
the middle of a sling;
that is, remove them swiftly and suddenly, and with force, out of the world, as a stone is slung out of the middle of a sling; see ( Jeremiah 10:18 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F5 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 152. 2.
F6 Moreh Nevochim, par. 1. c. 41.

1 Samuel 25:29 In-Context

27 And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you.
28 “Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The LORD your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the LORD’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live.
29 Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.
30 When the LORD has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel,
31 my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the LORD your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. S 1 Samuel 20:1
  • 2. Jeremiah 10:18; Jeremiah 22:26
  • 3. 1 Samuel 17:50; 2 Samuel 4:8
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