1 Samuel 25:40
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ
were come
H935
וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ
were come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֲבִיגַ֖יִל
to Abigail
H26
אֲבִיגַ֖יִל
to Abigail
Strong's:
H26
Word #:
5 of 15
abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses
הַכַּרְמֶ֑לָה
to Carmel
H3760
הַכַּרְמֶ֑לָה
to Carmel
Strong's:
H3760
Word #:
6 of 15
karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine
וַיְדַבְּר֤וּ
they spake
H1696
וַיְדַבְּר֤וּ
they spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
7 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
שְׁלָחָ֣נוּ
sent
H7971
שְׁלָחָ֣נוּ
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
11 of 15
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Historical Context
Marriage proposals through intermediaries was standard ancient Near Eastern practice. The formal delegation to Abigail at her own location allowed her dignified response. Carmel, site of Nabal's shearing feast, now witnessed a more significant event.
Questions for Reflection
- What does David's formal approach to Abigail reveal about respecting others in pursuit of relationship?
- How does the return to Carmel frame the narrative's transformation?
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Analysis & Commentary
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.
David follows proper protocol in his proposal. Sending servants ('avadim') rather than coming personally respected propriety and allowed Abigail time to consider. The delegation's message is direct: 'to take thee to him to wife' (leqachetek lo le'ishah). The location at Carmel returns the narrative to where it began—Nabal's prosperous estate now becomes the site of Abigail's transition to David's household. David's use of formal intermediaries demonstrates that his appreciation of Abigail included proper respect for social conventions. Even amid wilderness fugitive life, David maintained honorable conduct in marriage arrangements.