King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:42 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:42 in the King James Version says “And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after t...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. after her: Heb. at her feet”

1 Samuel 25:42 · KJV

Context

40

And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.

41

And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

42

And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. after her: Heb. at her feet

43

David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.

44

But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.

Read 1 Samuel 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.

Abigail's response mirrors her earlier urgent action. The Hebrew 'vatemaher' (hasted) echoes verse 18—she moved quickly then to prevent disaster, now to embrace opportunity. Her five attending maidens (na'arot) indicate she brought household support appropriate to her status. 'Went after the messengers' rather than requiring David to come showed respect for his situation and eagerness for the marriage. The concluding statement—'became his wife' (vatehi lo le'ishah)—completes the narrative arc. The wise woman who saved her foolish husband's household now joins her wisdom to Israel's future king.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Bringing attending maids was appropriate for a woman of Abigail's status entering a new household. Her haste honored David while her retinue maintained dignity. The marriage consolidated practical alliance with spiritual partnership.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Abigail's haste to join David parallel her earlier urgency in preventing violence?
  2. What does her willing departure from wealth and comfort teach about recognizing God's purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַתְּמַהֵ֞ר1 of 17

“hasted”

H4116

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

וַתָּ֣קָם2 of 17

“and arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֲבִיגַ֗יִל3 of 17

“And Abigail”

H26

abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses

וַתִּרְכַּב֙4 of 17

“and rode”

H7392

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

עַֽל5 of 17
H5921

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

הַחֲמ֔וֹר6 of 17

“upon an ass”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

וְחָמֵשׁ֙7 of 17

“with five”

H2568

five

נַֽעֲרֹתֶ֔יהָ8 of 17

“damsels”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

וַתֵּ֗לֶךְ9 of 17

“of hers that went”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְרַגְלָ֑הּ10 of 17

“after”

H7272

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

וַתֵּ֗לֶךְ11 of 17

“of hers that went”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַֽחֲרֵי֙12 of 17

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

מַלְאֲכֵ֣י13 of 17

“the messengers”

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

דָוִ֔ד14 of 17

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַתְּהִי15 of 17
H1961

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

ל֖וֹ16 of 17
H0
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃17 of 17

“and became his wife”

H802

a woman

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 25:42 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 25:42 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 24:61-67Psalms 45:10-11

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