1 Samuel 25 40

1 Samuel 25:40 kjv

And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.

1 Samuel 25:40 nkjv

When the servants of David had come to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her saying, "David sent us to you, to ask you to become his wife."

1 Samuel 25:40 niv

His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, "David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife."

1 Samuel 25:40 esv

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

1 Samuel 25:40 nlt

When the messengers arrived at Carmel, they told Abigail, "David has sent us to take you back to marry him."

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 40 Meaning

1 Samuel 25:40 describes Abigail's profoundly humble and reverent response upon being approached by David's representatives (or David himself, by proxy) with an offer of marriage. Her declaration signifies her full acceptance of David's proposal, expressing a willingness to serve him in the most demeaning and menial capacity—that of washing the feet of even his lowest servants. This self-abasement not only communicates her submission but also her recognition of David's emerging kingly stature and her eager alignment with his destiny, in stark contrast to the pride of her deceased husband, Nabal.

1 Samuel 25 40 Context

Verse 40 immediately follows the dramatic turn of events in 1 Samuel chapter 25. Earlier in the chapter, David, unjustly insulted and denied provisions by Nabal, planned to avenge himself and his men. Abigail, Nabal's wise and discerning wife, intervened with great humility and generosity, deflecting David's wrath. She offered provisions and a powerful, prophetic plea, reminding David of his destiny as king and urging him not to incur bloodguilt. Nabal's subsequent death by divine intervention (1 Sam 25:38) paves the way for David to marry Abigail, thereby solidifying his connections and reputation. David, upon hearing of Nabal's death, sends for Abigail to take her as his wife (1 Sam 25:39). This verse captures Abigail's immediate and unequivocal acceptance, demonstrating a profound reverence and self-humiliation appropriate for joining the household of the future king. Historically, in ancient Israelite culture, women rarely initiated marriage and were typically married according to familial or male-initiated arrangements. Abigail's unique character shines through her extraordinary response to David's call, emphasizing personal and spiritual fitness for her new role.

1 Samuel 25 40 Word analysis

• When David came: Hebrew: Va-yavo Dawiyd (וַיָּבֹא דָוִד). While grammatically signifying David's direct arrival, context from verse 39, "David sent and wooed her to be his wife," suggests David's emissaries represented his presence and authority. Her bowing "before him" implies recognition of his person or proxy embodying his high status. It marks the significant moment of her official response to David's overture.
• she bowed herself: Hebrew: va-tishtachav (וַתִּשְׁתַּחוּ). This verb (shachah) signifies a profound prostration, falling facedown in an act of deep reverence, respect, or worship. It is a posture of complete submission, typically offered to kings, powerful figures, or God Himself (e.g., Gen 23:7; Ps 95:6). Abigail's physical act demonstrates extreme humility and profound acknowledgment of David's authority and destiny.
• before him on the ground: Emphasizes the utter depth and sincerity of her obeisance. It's not a mere nod or bow, but full bodily submission.
• and said: Hebrew: va-tomar (וַתֹּאמֶר). Her verbal affirmation accompanies her physical posture, reinforcing the sincerity of her acceptance and commitment.
• Behold, your handmaid is a servant: Hebrew: Hinneih amateka shifcha (הִנֵּה אֲמָתְךָ, שִׁפְחָה). This phrase showcases radical humility.
  • your handmaid (amateka - אֲמָתְךָ): From amah, a term for a female slave or servant. It acknowledges her status as being under David's authority, even though she was a free, wealthy woman. It implies voluntary servitude.
  • is a servant (shifchah - שִׁפְחָה): A related term, often used for a lower-ranking female servant, a bondwoman, or even a household slave. The use of both amah and shifchah back-to-back ("your female slave is a slave-woman") dramatically amplifies her declaration of utter self-abasement, signifying that she views herself as nothing more than a slave, ready to serve in the lowest capacity. It underlines a profound spiritual humility rather than literal societal rank.
• to wash the feet: A proverbial expression for the most menial and lowly task. In the arid climate, feet quickly became dusty. Washing them was typically the job of the lowest servant in a household (e.g., Lk 7:44; Jn 13:5-14). It exemplifies a willingness to perform the most undesirable service.
• of the servants of my lord: Hebrew: avdey Adoni (עַבְדֵי אֲדֹנִי). Not only is she willing to serve David, her future husband, in the humblest way, but she explicitly extends this readiness to serve even his servants. This hyperbole demonstrates her absolute and complete surrender, emphasizing her utter lowliness in comparison to David's impending royal status. "My lord" (Adoni) is a direct form of address to someone superior, affirming David's mastership over her.

1 Samuel 25 40 Bonus section

• Proleptic Humility: Abigail's extraordinary humility here is not simply social deference; it is proleptic, meaning it anticipates David's future kingly status and implicitly acknowledges God's hand in his elevation. Her attitude is fit for the consort of a future king, aligning herself not merely with a rich man but with the Lord's anointed.
• Ancient Near Eastern Context: In this cultural setting, such extreme self-abasement by a woman of Abigail's former wealth and position was highly unusual and deeply impactful. It signified not just politeness but complete commitment and subservience, which was crucial in the household structure of a future king.
• Contrast with Michal: Abigail's humility here stands in stark contrast to Michal, David's first wife and Saul's daughter. While Michal initially loved David, her later contempt for him (2 Sam 6:16) reveals a lack of true humble submission and reverence for David's divinely appointed kingship, illustrating the difference between a self-serving attitude and genuine humility like Abigail's.

1 Samuel 25 40 Commentary

Abigail's response in 1 Samuel 25:40 is a masterpiece of humility and an insightful testament to her wisdom and discerning spirit, aligning with the core biblical principle that humility precedes honor. Following David's proposal, Abigail does not respond with self-importance or delight in her elevation. Instead, she utterly abases herself, demonstrating a servant's heart even before officially entering David's household. Her act of bowing on the ground, coupled with her verbal declaration of being a mere servant (using intensified terms for low status), is profoundly significant. By offering to wash the feet not of David himself, but "of the servants of my lord," she demonstrates a radical willingness to undertake the most lowly and despised tasks. This humility contrasts sharply with the pride and self-importance of Nabal, whose foolishness led to his demise, and it parallels Christ's later example of servant leadership. Abigail's acceptance embodies the readiness to completely submit one's former life and status for a greater, divinely ordained purpose. Her actions affirm the biblical truth that true exaltation in God's kingdom comes through voluntary self-humiliation and faithful service, illustrating a fitting character for one who would be queen to Israel's divinely chosen king.