1 Samuel 25:42

42 Then ¹Abigail quickly arose, and rode on a donkey, with her five maidens who attended * her; and she followed * the messengers of David and became his wife.

1 Samuel 25:42 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 25:42

And Abigail hasted and arose
She had no objection nor hesitation in her mind about marrying David but at once consented, and immediately prepared for her journey, having as high an opinion, and as great an esteem of David, as he of her; and though she was rich and he peer this was no obstacle in the way, she knew and believed he would be king of Israel, ( 1 Samuel 25:30 1 Samuel 25:31 ) ; and though he could not support her, she had enough to support herself, and supply him, till he came to the throne: and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her;
whom she took with her, partly to wait upon her, and partly for her honour, and the honour of David, whom she was going to marry: and she went after the messengers of David:
not following them directly, but some time after they were gone; partly for the sake of decency, and partly that they going before might acquaint David with the success of their message, and he might prepare to receive Abigail when she came: and became his wife;
he espoused and married her according to the custom of the times.

1 Samuel 25:42 In-Context

40 When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, "David has sent us to you to take you as his wife."

41 She arose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, "Behold, your maidservant is a maid to wash the feet of my lord's servants."

42 Then Abigail quickly arose, and rode on a donkey, with her five maidens who attended her; and she followed the messengers of David and became his wife.

43 David had also taken Ahinoam of Jezreel, and they both became his wives.

44 Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was from Gallim.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 24:61-67

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "walked at her feet"