1 Samuel 25:23 kjv
And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
1 Samuel 25:23 nkjv
Now when Abigail saw David, she dismounted quickly from the donkey, fell on her face before David, and bowed down to the ground.
1 Samuel 25:23 niv
When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground.
1 Samuel 25:23 esv
When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground.
1 Samuel 25:23 nlt
When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him.
1 Samuel 25 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:2 | ...Abraham saw...he ran to meet them from the tent door and bowed himself toward the ground. | Abraham shows humble reverence. |
| Gen 23:7 | Abraham bowed himself before the people of the land, the Hittites. | Humility in negotiation and respect. |
| Gen 33:3 | ...and he himself passed on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times. | Jacob shows deference to Esau. |
| Ex 4:31 | ...when they heard that the Lord had visited the people...they bowed their heads and worshiped. | Israel worships God in response to His word. |
| Num 16:22 | Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces and said, "O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh..." | Intercession for others before God's wrath. |
| Josh 5:14 | Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my Lord say..." | Joshua reverences the Commander of the Lord's army. |
| 2 Sam 9:6 | Mephibosheth...fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, "Mephibosheth!" | Showing humble homage and respect to David's authority. |
| 1 Ki 1:23 | And they told the king, "Here is Nathan the prophet." And when he came in...he bowed before the king with his face to the ground. | Showing customary respect to royalty. |
| 2 Ch 7:3 | When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down...they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement... | Corporate worship and adoration of God. |
| Ezr 9:5 | ...I fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God. | Ezra's profound prayer of repentance. |
| Psa 95:6 | Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! | Invitation to humble worship of God. |
| Isa 49:23 | Kings shall be your foster fathers...they shall bow down to you with their faces to the ground. | Prophetic promise of nations submitting to Zion. |
| Mic 6:6 | "With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?" | Seeking humble approach to God. |
| Mt 2:11 | And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. | Magi's worship of the Christ Child. |
| Lk 17:16 | And he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. | A leper shows profound gratitude and reverence to Jesus. |
| Rev 1:17 | When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. | John's overwhelmed response to the glorified Christ. |
| Rev 5:8 | ...the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. | Heavenly worship and adoration. |
| Prov 15:1 | A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | Principles of de-escalation of anger, matching Abigail's approach. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Abigail's fear of God led to her wisdom, contrasting Nabal's foolishness. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously... | Abigail's action exemplifies divinely given wisdom in action. |
| Lk 12:58 | As you go with your accuser toward the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way... | Wisdom to settle conflicts quickly and decisively. |
| 2 Sam 16:16 | When Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to David, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" | Showing quick, decisive loyalty to an acknowledged authority. |
1 Samuel 25 verses
1 Samuel 25 23 Meaning
Abigail's immediate and profound act of humility—dismounting quickly and prostrating herself before David—signifies her urgent desire to diffuse his anger and secure favor. This demonstrated deep respect, profound supplication, and an implicit recognition of David's authority, paving the way for her crucial intercession on behalf of Nabal's household and averting potential bloodshed.
1 Samuel 25 23 Context
1 Samuel chapter 25 details the pivotal interaction between David and Nabal, a wealthy but scornful and foolish man. David, living as an outlaw and leading a band of loyal followers, had provided protection for Nabal's shepherds. When David subsequently sent men to respectfully request provisions during Nabal's sheep-shearing feast—a customary expectation—Nabal arrogantly refused, insulting David and dismissing his legitimacy. Enraged by this deep affront, David vowed to utterly destroy Nabal and every male in his household. Abigail, Nabal's discerning wife, learned of her husband's grave folly and, without his knowledge, quickly gathered a substantial appeasing gift. This verse initiates her crucial, personal intervention as she intercepts David, showcasing her immediate and profound humility to appease his wrath and prevent him from enacting a rash, vengeful slaughter, thereby saving her household.
1 Samuel 25 23 Word analysis
- When Abigail (וְאבִיגַיִל
wĕ'āvīḡayil): Her name means "My Father is Joy" or "Father of Joy." This name stands in stark contrast to her husband Nabal, whose name means "fool." Her prompt and wise action immediately sets her apart as a perceptive individual who acts in foresight. - saw (רָאֲתָה
ra'atah): The Hebrew verbra'ahmeans "to see," but often implies more than physical sight, encompassing discernment and understanding. Abigail not only observed David but understood the gravity of his anger and the immediate danger posed to her household. - David (דָוִד
dāvīd): The anointed of the Lord, though currently a fugitive, was recognized by Abigail (and others, see 1 Sam 25:30-31) as the future king. Her respect for him transcends his present circumstances. - she quickly (וַתְּמַהֵר
wattemaher): From the verbmahar, "to hurry" or "hasten." This adverb emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of Abigail's response. She wasted no time, understanding that swift action was essential to avert disaster and mitigate David's justifiable wrath. - dismounted (וַתֵּרֶד
wattēred): Fromyarad, "to go down, descend." This was a deliberate and public act. Dismounting from her donkey was a conscious step down from a position of elevation and comfort, signifying her immediate readiness to humble herself before David. - from her donkey (
מן־הַחֲמוֹרָהmin-hachamorah): Emphasizes that her humility was immediate and comprehensive; she left her elevated seat of transportation to place herself in a subordinate posture. - and bowed down (וַתִּפֹּל
wattippol): Fromnaphal, "to fall." This refers to "falling on her face," a powerful and distinct act of extreme prostration. It signifies the deepest level of humility, submission, and desperate supplication. It is often reserved for bowing before God or a recognized superior ruler, indicating total self-abasement and plea for mercy. - before David (
לִפְנֵי דָוִדliphnê Dāwīd): Directly in his presence, indicating her appeal was directly to him, acknowledging his person and authority. - with her face (עַל־פָּנֶיהָ
‘al-pāneihā): This phrase stresses that her face was to the ground. It’s an explicit description of a complete act of prostration, demonstrating maximum submission and humility. It visually conveyed her profound earnestness. - to the ground (וַתִּשְׁתַּחּוּ אָרְצָה
wattišťaḥû ’arṣâh): The verbshaḥah(from whichwattišťaḥûderives) means "to bow down," or "to worship/prostrate oneself." Coupled with "fell on her face," this creates an extremely vivid and emphatic depiction of complete and utter abasement. It confirms her intent for total deference, profound respect, and an urgent appeal for grace or mercy. It goes beyond a polite bow, expressing deepest homage and the desperate posture of one pleading for their very life.
1 Samuel 25 23 Bonus section
Abigail's dramatic act of prostration implicitly recognized David as divinely appointed, a "fear of the Lord" on her part which brought her knowledge and ability to act wisely. This moment also reveals the Lord's protective hand over David. While David's anger was initially righteous in response to Nabal's insult, his subsequent intent to execute Nabal and his entire household would have been an act of presumptuous sin, violating the boundaries of justice that belonged to God. Abigail, through her profound humility and intervention, became an instrument of God's grace, preventing David from spilling innocent blood and marring his reputation before he even ascended the throne. This serves as a reminder that God can use unexpected individuals and humble actions to guide His servants away from sin and toward His divine plan.
1 Samuel 25 23 Commentary
1 Samuel 25:23 marks Abigail's critical intervention in a moment of escalating conflict. Her swift actions—dismounting quickly and performing a total prostration—are not mere cultural formalities but deeply meaningful expressions. This radical display of humility signals her complete submission and earnest desire to appease David's righteous fury. It communicated that she recognized David's unique status and accepted his authority, contrasting sharply with Nabal's foolish arrogance. Her profound bowing also serves as a desperate plea for mercy for her household, anticipating her powerful intercession in the following verses. This act demonstrated remarkable wisdom and courage, strategically disarming David's anger and setting the stage for divine providence to prevent David from incurring blood-guilt. Her approach serves as a timeless example of how humility, wisdom, and a humble demeanor can avert wrath and open pathways to peace.