1 Samuel 25:42

42 And Abigail hasteth and riseth, and rideth on the ass; and five of her young women who are going at her feet; and she goeth after the messengers of David, and is to him for a 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 the servants of David come in unto Abigail at Carmel, and speak unto her, saying, `David hath sent us unto thee to take thee to him for a wife.'

41 And she riseth and boweth herself -- face to the earth -- and saith, `Lo, thy handmaid [is] for a maid-servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.'

42 And Abigail hasteth and riseth, and rideth on the ass; and five of her young women who are going at her feet; and she goeth after the messengers of David, and is to him for a wife.

43 And Ahinoam hath David taken from Jezreel, and they are -- even both of them -- to him for wives;

44 and Saul gave Michal his daughter, wife to David, to Phalti son of Laish, who [is] of Gallim.