1 Samuel 25 18

1 Samuel 25:18 kjv

Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

1 Samuel 25:18 nkjv

Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys.

1 Samuel 25:18 niv

Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.

1 Samuel 25:18 esv

Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys.

1 Samuel 25:18 nlt

Abigail wasted no time. She quickly gathered 200 loaves of bread, two wineskins full of wine, five sheep that had been slaughtered, nearly a bushel of roasted grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 fig cakes. She packed them on donkeys

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 18 Meaning

This verse describes Abigail's immediate and decisive action to gather an immense supply of provisions to present to David and his men. Recognizing the imminent danger posed by David's wrath after her foolish husband Nabal's insult, Abigail "made haste" to prepare a generous and varied assortment of food, signaling both her humility and her attempt to appease the enraged David, preventing a devastating retaliatory attack on her household. It highlights her wisdom, foresight, and practical resourcefulness in a critical moment.

1 Samuel 25 18 Context

Chapter 25 of 1 Samuel depicts David's outlaw period following his anointing as king, operating in the wilderness of Paran with his loyal men. David, having provided protection for Nabal's shepherds, sends an honorable request for provisions during sheep-shearing, a time of feasting and generosity. Nabal, a rich but foolish and surly man, insolently rebuffs David, despite the customary expectation of hospitality. Enraged and dishonored, David vows to destroy Nabal and all his male household. It is at this critical juncture that Abigail, Nabal's discerning wife, steps in. Upon hearing from a servant about Nabal's transgression and David's impending retaliation, she acts swiftly and secretly, without Nabal's knowledge, to avert the catastrophe. This verse details her rapid preparation of a substantial peace offering, a key move in her effort to appease David's wrath.

1 Samuel 25 18 Word analysis

• Then Abigail made haste (וַתְּמַהֵר֙ אֲבִיגַ֣יִל - vatt'maher Avigail):
  • "made haste" (מְהֵרָה - meherah): Signifies urgency, decisiveness, and swift action. It highlights Abigail's immediate grasp of the grave danger and her resolute character, contrasting sharply with Nabal's delayed and arrogant refusal. Her speed underscores her wisdom in responding proactively to a life-threatening situation.
  • "Abigail": Her name means "my father is joy." Her character throughout this account brings joy and averts despair, living up to her name. Her wisdom is evident here, showing she is not passive.
• and took: This indicates her direct, personal involvement and active role in orchestrating the preparations. She was not merely delegating; she was overseeing and ensuring the provision.
• two hundred loaves of bread (מָאתַ֙יִם֙ לֶ֔חֶם - mahtayim lechem): A very substantial amount, indicating an effort to genuinely feed a large group (David's 400 men and perhaps more) and demonstrate significant goodwill. Bread was a staple and essential provision.
• two skins of wine (וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ נִבְלֵי־יַ֔יִן - ushnayim nivley-yayin): Wine, consumed widely, symbolized refreshment and well-being. Two skins suggest a generous quantity, fitting for soldiers who would appreciate it.
• five sheep already prepared (וְחָמֵ֥שׁ צֹאן֙ עֲשׂוּיֹ֔ת - vechamesh tzo'n asuyot):
  • "sheep": A valuable commodity, a source of protein and fat.
  • "already prepared" (עֲשׂוּיֹת - asuyot): This specific detail is crucial. It means the sheep were already slaughtered, butchered, and likely cooked (perhaps roasted or boiled), ready for immediate consumption. This implies extra effort, forethought, and urgency, showcasing Abigail's profound desire to provide without delay and avoid any additional burden on David's men.
• five seahs of roasted grain (וְחָמֵ֥שׁ סְאָה֙ קָלִ֔י - vechamesh s'ah kali):
  • "seahs" (סְאָה - se'ah): A dry measure, roughly 7.3 liters or 2.5 US gallons. Five seahs would be a considerable quantity of grain, approximately 36.5 liters or enough to sustain many individuals.
  • "roasted grain" (kali): Grain, often wheat or barley, that has been roasted. This made it portable, easily digestible, and a good source of quick energy for those on the move.
• one hundred clusters of raisins (וּמֵאָה֙ צִמּוּקִ֔ים - u'meah tzimuqim): Raisins, dried grapes, were a common sweet and energy-rich food for travelers and soldiers. This large quantity provides quick sugar and satiety.
• and two hundred cakes of figs (וּמָאתַ֥יִם דְּבֵלִ֖ים - u'matayim deveilimm): Cakes of dried figs, another staple, nutritious and convenient food item for long journeys. They were common provisions due to their energy content and long shelf life.
• and loaded them on donkeys (וַתָּ֙שֶׂם֙ עַל־הַחֲמֹרִֽים - vatashem al-hachamorim):
  • This detail indicates the immense quantity of the provisions, requiring multiple pack animals. It highlights the practical logistics and the scale of her peace offering, emphasizing her thoroughness and the substantial nature of her effort to appease David.
  • It signifies the readiness for transport, reinforcing the urgency of her mission.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis

• "Then Abigail made haste and took": This opening phrase immediately establishes Abigail's character as a woman of action, initiative, and swift wisdom. She did not delay or consult Nabal; her priority was to prevent disaster through immediate, personal engagement. This portrays her as a leader within her household despite her subordinate status.
• "two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already prepared, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs": This meticulous enumeration of varied and ample provisions demonstrates a well-considered and strategic act of hospitality and appeasement. The diversity (staples, proteins, fruits, sweets) indicates an understanding of the needs of soldiers on the move. The quantities are not merely symbolic but truly substantial, reflecting a genuine and extravagant offering, aimed at both physical sustenance and emotional placation. The inclusion of "prepared" sheep further emphasizes the thoughtfulness and immediate usability of the gift.
• "and loaded them on donkeys": This final action in the verse depicts the practical execution of her plan. It underscores the considerable volume and weight of the supplies, requiring dedicated transport. This action symbolizes her readiness to approach David humbly, bearing gifts that would immediately address the needs and soothe the anger of his army.

1 Samuel 25 18 Bonus section

• The Scale of Provision: The amount of food Abigail prepared was immense for that time. Given that David had 400 men (1 Sam 25:13), her provision could likely feed them generously for several days, signaling her immense wealth, foresight, and understanding of the army's needs. This generosity was critical in calming hungry, vengeful men.
• Cultural Significance of Gifts: In the ancient Near East, gifts were not merely acts of generosity but also carried significant social and political weight. A gift like this could signify submission, an acknowledgment of status, or an appeal for favor. Abigail's gift was multi-layered: an act of appeasement, hospitality, and recognition of David's (future) authority, which Nabal failed to give.
• Proverbial Wisdom in Action: Abigail's actions are a direct fulfillment of the wisdom found in Proverbs, particularly Proverbs 21:14 ("A gift in secret pacifies anger"). She embodied wisdom that prevented calamity, contrasting sharply with Nabal's folly that invited it.
• Abigail as a Woman of Influence: Despite societal structures that might limit women's public roles, Abigail demonstrated significant leadership and initiative within her household, managing its resources and deploying them decisively in a crisis. This foresight was critical where male leaders (Nabal) failed.

1 Samuel 25 18 Commentary

This verse encapsulates Abigail's extraordinary blend of shrewdness, generosity, and swift action. Unlike her foolish husband Nabal, who disdained David, Abigail immediately understood the perilousness of the situation. Her rapid assembly of such a vast and varied array of provisions was not a simple act of charity but a strategic political maneuver designed to avert bloodshed. The specific and considerable quantities enumerated demonstrate her earnest desire to placate David's righteous indignation, effectively "filling" his hunger (and metaphorically his anger) with an overwhelming demonstration of goodwill. This material offering set the stage for her subsequent humble and eloquent verbal plea, showcasing her holistic approach to crisis management, saving her entire household from impending doom and preventing David from sinning by shedding innocent blood.