What Does 1 Samuel 25:15 Mean in the King James?

But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:

1 Samuel 25:15 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The “hurt” they escaped includes humiliation: their dignity stayed intact while others guarded their path.

THE MEANING

This verse makes care visible as dignity preserved and practical needs met in exposed places. Goodness takes shape through people who walk beside you and treat you well.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie is that being hurt only means being physically injured; safety also includes being treated without shame or degradation.

THE ROOT

הכלמנו

hukhlamnu

GROWS FROM

כ־ל־ם

k-l-m

To shame, disgrace, or wound through reproach.

“hurt” in this verse is hukhlamnu. The Hebrew form is tied to a word for shame or disgrace, giving the line a clear sense of dignity preserved alongside protection from harm. The men do not humiliate those in their care.

ALSO GROWS

kelimmāh: Shame or disgrace

כְּלִמָּה

This branch makes clear that the protection includes freedom from public shame.

nikhlām: Ashamed or put to shame

נִכְלָם

This related form shows the personal wound the shepherds say they did not suffer.

התהלכנו

hithallakhnu

GROWS FROM

ה־ל־ך

h-l-k

To walk or go.

The verb translated “conversant” is built on the root for walking or going. The verse describes safety through shared movement: they spent their days walking with the men in the fields, so companionship is something lived alongside them.

ALSO GROWS

halikhah: Walking or going

הֲלִיכָה

This noun keeps the connection bodily and concrete: their days together involved moving through the fields.

holikh: To lead or bring

הוֹלִיךְ

This form shows how walking can include guiding another along a path, fitting the care described here.

THE PATTERN

Protection becomes tangible through a trustworthy presence that guards people as they pass through exposed places.

The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalm 121:7-8 · KJVThe protection named here covers a person’s passage out and back, as the shepherds are kept safe through their days in the field.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10 · KJVSafety takes the form of shelter in a protecting presence.

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 10:28 · KJVThe shepherd’s hand keeps those in his care from being snatched away, echoing safety received through close company.

THE THREAD

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 · KJV

The shared root is ⁨הלך⁩ (halakh), “walk” or “go”: here, the speaker moves through deepest darkness with another presence beside him. Together, the verses show protection as companionship along an exposed path.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us