1 Samuel 25:34

34 As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, he has kept me from hurting you. If you hadn't come quickly to meet me, not one of Nabal's men would have lived until morning."

1 Samuel 25:34 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 25:34

For in very deed, [as] the Lord God of Israel liveth
An oath for the confirmation of what he was about to say: which hath kept me back from hurting thee:
from doing any ill to her family, as he intended, though not to her person, his resolution being only to slay the males; but that would have been an hurt, an evil, an affliction to Abigail, from which the Lord in his providence restrained him, and that through her good advice: except thou hadst hasted, and come to meet me:
if she had not made quick dispatch in preparing her present, or had stayed to persuade her husband into her measures; if she had delayed a little longer, David would have been at Nabal's house, executing his vengeance on him and his: surely there had not been left unto Nabal, by the morning light, any
that pisseth against the wall: (See Gill on 1 Samuel 25:22).

1 Samuel 25:34 In-Context

32 David answered Abigail, "Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me.

33 May you be blessed for your wisdom. You have kept me from killing or punishing people today.

34 As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, he has kept me from hurting you. If you hadn't come quickly to meet me, not one of Nabal's men would have lived until morning."

35 Then David accepted Abigail's gifts. He told her, "Go home in peace. I have heard your words, and I will do what you have asked."

36 When Abigail went back to Nabal, he was in the house, eating like a king. He was very drunk and in a good mood. So she told him nothing until the next morning.