1 Samuel 25:20
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֞ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֞ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הִ֣יא׀
H1931
הִ֣יא׀
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 15
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
רֹכֶ֣בֶת
And it was so as she rode
H7392
רֹכֶ֣בֶת
And it was so as she rode
Strong's:
H7392
Word #:
3 of 15
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יֹֽרְדִ֖ים
came down
H3381
יֹֽרְדִ֖ים
came down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
6 of 15
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
בְּסֵ֣תֶר
by the covert
H5643
בְּסֵ֣תֶר
by the covert
Strong's:
H5643
Word #:
7 of 15
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
הָהָ֔ר
of the hill
H2022
הָהָ֔ר
of the hill
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
8 of 15
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֔יו
H376
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֔יו
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 15
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)
יֹֽרְדִ֖ים
came down
H3381
יֹֽרְדִ֖ים
came down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
12 of 15
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
לִקְרָאתָ֑הּ
against
H7125
לִקְרָאתָ֑הּ
against
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
13 of 15
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this providential meeting demonstrate God's timing in crisis situations?
- What role does human initiative play in conjunction with divine providence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.