King James Version
1 Samuel 25:23 in the King James Version says “And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,”
1 Samuel 25:23 · KJV
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.
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.
And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. audience: Heb. ears
Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. regard: Heb. lay it to his heart Nabal: that is, Fool
KJV Study — Public Domain
“saw”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“and lighted off”
H3381to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“and fell”
H5307to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
“before”
H639properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“on her face”
H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
“and bowed”
H7812to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
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.
1 Samuel 25:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to 1 Samuel 25:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge