1 Samuel 25:42
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַתְּמַהֵ֞ר
hasted
H4116
וַתְּמַהֵ֞ר
hasted
Strong's:
H4116
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
וַתָּ֣קָם
and arose
H6965
וַתָּ֣קָם
and arose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
2 of 17
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֲבִיגַ֗יִל
And Abigail
H26
אֲבִיגַ֗יִל
And Abigail
Strong's:
H26
Word #:
3 of 17
abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses
וַתִּרְכַּב֙
and rode
H7392
וַתִּרְכַּב֙
and rode
Strong's:
H7392
Word #:
4 of 17
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 #:
5 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַתֵּ֗לֶךְ
of hers that went
H1980
וַתֵּ֗לֶךְ
of hers that went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְרַגְלָ֑הּ
after
H7272
לְרַגְלָ֑הּ
after
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
10 of 17
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
וַתֵּ֗לֶךְ
of hers that went
H1980
וַתֵּ֗לֶךְ
of hers that went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַֽחֲרֵי֙
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵי֙
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
מַלְאֲכֵ֣י
the messengers
H4397
מַלְאֲכֵ֣י
the messengers
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
13 of 17
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Abigail's haste to join David parallel her earlier urgency in preventing violence?
- What does her willing departure from wealth and comfort teach about recognizing God's purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.