1 Samuel 25:42

42 And Abigail arose, and made haste, and got upon an ass, and five damsels went with her, her waiting maids, 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 And David’s servants came to Abigail, to Carmel, and spoke to her, saying: David hath sent us to thee, to take thee to himself for a wife.

41 And she arose, and bowed herself down with her face to the earth, and said: Behold, let thy servant be a handmaid, to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

42 And Abigail arose, and made haste, and got upon an ass, and five damsels went with her, her waiting maids, and she followed the messengers of David, and became his wife.

43 Moreover David took also Achinoam of Jezrahel: and they were both of them his wives.

44 But Saul gave Michol, his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti, the son of Lais, who was of Gallim.