King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:18 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:18 in the King James Version says “Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five me...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. clusters: or, lumps”

1 Samuel 25:18 · KJV

Context

16

They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

17

Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

18

Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. clusters: or, lumps

19

And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.

20

And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

Abigail's response demonstrates wisdom in action. The Hebrew 'vatemaher' (made haste) indicates immediate response to urgent crisis. The provisions she gathers are substantial: two hundred loaves, two skin-bottles of wine, five prepared sheep, five seahs of grain, one hundred raisin clusters, two hundred fig cakes. This represents generous provision for David's band—far exceeding his modest request for 'whatever comes to hand.' Loading these on donkeys enabled rapid transport. Abigail's quick decision-making and resource mobilization display the 'good understanding' the narrator attributed to her (v. 3). She acted decisively while Nabal remained oblivious.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The quantities Abigail gathered would provide a substantial meal for David's entire band. The variety—bread, wine, meat, grain, dried fruit—represented comprehensive hospitality. Her ability to mobilize these resources quickly indicates household management skills.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Abigail's immediate action contrast with Nabal's obstinate refusal?
  2. What does her generous provision teach about responding to urgent situations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַתְּמַהֵ֣ר1 of 21

“made haste”

H4116

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

אֲבִוֹגַ֡יִל2 of 21

“Then Abigail”

H26

abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses

וַתִּקַּח֩3 of 21

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וּמָאתַ֣יִם4 of 21

“and two hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

לֶ֜חֶם5 of 21

“loaves”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וּשְׁנַ֣יִם6 of 21

“and two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

נִבְלֵי7 of 21

“bottles”

H5035

a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)

יַ֗יִן8 of 21

“of wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וְחָמֵ֤שׁ9 of 21

“and five”

H2568

five

צֹ֤אן10 of 21

“sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

עֲשׂוּוֹת֙11 of 21

“ready dressed”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וְחָמֵ֤שׁ12 of 21

“and five”

H2568

five

סְאִים֙13 of 21

“measures”

H5429

a seah, or certain measure (as determinative) for grain

קָלִ֔י14 of 21

“of parched”

H7039

roasted ears of grain

וּמָאתַ֣יִם15 of 21

“and two hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

צִמֻּקִ֖ים16 of 21

“clusters of raisins”

H6778

a cake of dried grapes

וּמָאתַ֣יִם17 of 21

“and two hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

דְּבֵלִ֑ים18 of 21

“cakes”

H1690

a cake of pressed figs

וַתָּ֖שֶׂם19 of 21

“of figs and laid”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עַל20 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַֽחֲמֹרִֽים׃21 of 21

“them on asses”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 25:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 25:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 16:1Proverbs 18:16Matthew 5:25Proverbs 6:4-5Genesis 32:13-202 Samuel 17:28-29

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 25 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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