King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:20 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:20 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 25:20 · KJV

Context

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.

21

Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

22

So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

Read 1 Samuel 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The meeting occurs at a divinely orchestrated moment. The Hebrew 'beseter hahar' (covert/secret place of the hill) describes a hidden approach providing mutual surprise. The phrase 'came down against her' (Hebrew 'yordim liqratah') uses military language—David's force descending with hostile intent. The word 'met' (pagash) suggests sudden encounter. Abigail intercepted David at the critical moment—later and his oath would have been fulfilled. This providential timing demonstrates God's orchestration: Abigail's wisdom and haste, combined with David's delayed arrival, created space for intervention. Human wisdom and divine providence cooperated to prevent bloodshed.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The terrain of the Judean hill country contained many hidden valleys and passes. Abigail's route brought her to intercept David's force before they reached Nabal's household. The timing was precise—moments later might have been too late.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this providential meeting demonstrate God's timing in crisis situations?
  2. What role does human initiative play in conjunction with divine providence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְהָיָ֞ה1 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הִ֣יא׀2 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

רֹכֶ֣בֶת3 of 15

“And it was so as she rode”

H7392

to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch

עַֽל4 of 15
H5921

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

הַחֲמ֗וֹר5 of 15

“on the ass”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

יֹֽרְדִ֖ים6 of 15

“came down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

בְּסֵ֣תֶר7 of 15

“by the covert”

H5643

a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)

הָהָ֔ר8 of 15

“of the hill”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וְהִנֵּ֤ה9 of 15
H2009

lo!

דָוִד֙10 of 15

“and behold David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֔יו11 of 15
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יֹֽרְדִ֖ים12 of 15

“came down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

לִקְרָאתָ֑הּ13 of 15

“against”

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וַתִּפְגֹּ֖שׁ14 of 15

“her and she met”

H6298

to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur

אֹתָֽם׃15 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

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 25:20 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 25:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 4:24

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