King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:24 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:24 in the King James Version says “And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, spe...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 25:24 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

23

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,

24

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

25

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

26

Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. avenging: Heb. saving thyself

Read 1 Samuel 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Abigail assumes responsibility to protect her household. The Hebrew 'bi adoni bi' (upon me, my lord, upon me) emphatically takes guilt upon herself. Her plea—'let this iniquity be'—asks David to transfer Nabal's offense to her account. The repeated 'thine handmaid' (amah) three times establishes her submissive role. She requests permission to speak in David's 'audience' (Hebrew be'oznayikh—literally 'in your ears'), seeking personal hearing. This intercessory role—taking another's guilt and pleading for mercy—foreshadows Christ's greater intercession. Abigail positioned herself between deserved wrath and guilty party, absorbing the offense to enable reconciliation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Taking another's guilt upon oneself was recognized intercession practice. Abigail's self-designation as 'handmaid' (amah) indicated humble status. Her request for audience indicated awareness that David might refuse to hear a woman's plea.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Abigail's assumption of guilt model Christ's intercessory work?
  2. What does 'upon me let this iniquity be' teach about standing between others and deserved consequences?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַתִּפֹּל֙1 of 16

“And fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַל2 of 16
H5921

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

רַגְלָ֔יו3 of 16

“at his feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

וַתֹּ֕אמֶר4 of 16

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בִּי5 of 16
H0
אֲנִ֥י6 of 16

“of thine handmaid”

H589

i

אֲדֹנִ֖י7 of 16

“Upon me my lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הֶֽעָוֹ֑ן8 of 16

“upon me let this iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וּֽתְדַבֶּר9 of 16

“I pray thee speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

נָ֤א10 of 16
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֲמָתֶֽךָ׃11 of 16

“be and let thine handmaid”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

בְּאָזְנֶ֔יךָ12 of 16

“in thine audience”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

וּשְׁמַ֕ע13 of 16

“and hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֵ֖ת14 of 16
H853

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

דִּבְרֵ֥י15 of 16

“the words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲמָתֶֽךָ׃16 of 16

“be and let thine handmaid”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

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 25:24 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 25:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 8:32 Samuel 14:91 Samuel 25:28Philemon 1:18-192 Kings 4:37Genesis 44:18

Test Your Knowledge

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

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