1 Samuel 25:20
1 Samuel 25:20 in Multiple Translations
As Abigail came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming down toward her, and she met them.
And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.
And it was so, as she rode on her ass, and came down by the covert of the mountain, that, behold, David and his men came down toward her; and she met them.
Now while she was going down under cover of the mountain on her ass, David and his men came down against her, and suddenly she came face to face with them.
As Abigail was riding her donkey through a mountain valley, she saw David and his men descending towards her, and she met them.
And as shee rode on her asse, shee came downe by a secret place of the mountaine, and beholde, Dauid and his men came downe against her, and she met them.
and it hath come to pass, she is riding on the ass and is coming down in the secret part of the hill-country, and lo, David and his men are coming down to meet her, and she meeteth them.
As she rode on her donkey, and came down hidden by the mountain, behold, David and his men came down toward her, and she met them.
And it was so , as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and behold, David and his men came down over against her; and she met them.
And when she had gotten upon an ass, and was coming down to the foot of the mountain, David and his men came down over against her, and she met them.
David and his men had left the place where they were staying and were on the road to Nabal’s property. They were coming down a hill when they met Abigail.
So Abigail went off on a donkey. You see, David talked to himself like this, as he went along, “I looked after Nabal’s men and his sheep in the desert country just for nothing. I didn’t take anything that belonged to him. I was good to him, but he talked badly about me. Tonight, while it is still dark, I will kill all the men and boys at his place. If I do not do that, I will ask God to make big trouble for me.” That’s the way David talked. As Abigail went along on her donkey, she went through a gap in the hills. She saw David as he came with his men.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 25:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 25:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיָ֞ה
הִ֣יא
רֹכֶ֣בֶת
עַֽל
הַ/חֲמ֗וֹר
וְ/יֹרֶ֨דֶת֙
בְּ/סֵ֣תֶר
הָ/הָ֔ר
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
דָוִד֙
וַ/אֲנָשָׁ֔י/ו
יֹרְדִ֖ים
לִ/קְרָאתָ֑/הּ
וַ/תִּפְגֹּ֖שׁ
אֹתָֽ/ם
וְ/הָיָ֞ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
הִ֣יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
רֹכֶ֣בֶת
râkab
H7392
to ride
V-Qal
עַֽל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/חֲמ֗וֹר
chămôwr
H2543
donkey
Art | N-cs
וְ/יֹרֶ֨דֶת֙
yârad
H3381
to go down
Conj | V-Qal
בְּ/סֵ֣תֶר
çêther
H5643
secrecy
Prep | N-ms
הָ/הָ֔ר
har
H2022
mountain
Art | N-ms
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
דָוִד֙
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
וַ/אֲנָשָׁ֔י/ו
ʼîysh
H376
man
Conj | N-mp | Suff
יֹרְדִ֖ים
yârad
H3381
to go down
V-Qal
לִ/קְרָאתָ֑/הּ
qârâʼ
H7122
to encounter
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
וַ/תִּפְגֹּ֖שׁ
pâgash
H6298
to meet
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
אֹתָֽ/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 25:20
וְ/הָיָ֞ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הִ֣יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
רֹכֶ֣בֶת
râkab
H7392
"to ride"
V-Qal
This Hebrew verb means to ride an animal or vehicle, and can also mean to place someone or something on a horse or chariot. It is used to describe riding horses or chariots in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to mount and ride, ride 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to mount, mount and sit or ride 1a2) to ride, be riding 1a3) rider (subst) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to ride, cause to (mount and) ride 1b2) to cause to draw (plough, etc) 1b3) to cause to ride upon (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: bring (on (horse-) back), carry, get (oneself) up, on (horse-) back, put, (cause to, make to) ride (in a chariot, on, -r), set. See also: Genesis 24:61; 2 Kings 23:30; Psalms 18:11.
עַֽל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/חֲמ֗וֹר
chămôwr
H2543
"donkey"
Art | N-cs
The Hebrew word for a male donkey, it is translated as he ass in the KJV Bible. The name comes from the animal's reddish-brown color.
Definition: (he) ass
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: (he) ass. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 6:4; Proverbs 26:3.
וְ/יֹרֶ֨דֶת֙
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
Conj | V-Qal
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
בְּ/סֵ֣תֶר
çêther
H5643
"secrecy"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a shelter or covering, like a place to hide. It can also mean protection, as in Psalm 18:11 where God is a shelter from danger.
Definition: 1) covering, shelter, hiding place, secrecy 1a) covering, cover 1b) hiding place, shelter, secret place 1c) secrecy 1c1) secrecy (of tongue being slanderous)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: backbiting, covering, covert, [idiom] disguise(-th), hiding place, privily, protection, secret(-ly, place). See also: Deuteronomy 13:7; Psalms 61:5; Psalms 18:12.
הָ/הָ֔ר
har
H2022
"mountain"
Art | N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
דָוִד֙
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
וַ/אֲנָשָׁ֔י/ו
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
יֹרְדִ֖ים
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
V-Qal
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
לִ/קְרָאתָ֑/הּ
qârâʼ
H7122
"to encounter"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
This word means to encounter or meet someone, either by chance or on purpose. It can describe a friendly meeting or a hostile one. In Exodus, the Israelites encountered God on Mount Sinai.
Definition: : meet 1) to encounter, befall, meet 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to meet, encounter 1a2) to befall (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: befall, (by) chance, (cause to) come (upon), fall out, happen, meet. See also: Genesis 42:4; 1 Samuel 17:48; Isaiah 51:19.
וַ/תִּפְגֹּ֖שׁ
pâgash
H6298
"to meet"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To meet or encounter someone, like when people come together by chance or on purpose. It appears in the Bible when people gather or run into each other.
Definition: 1) to meet, join, encounter 1a) (Qal) to meet, encounter 1b) (Niphal) to meet together, meet each other 1c) (Piel) to meet, encounter
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: meet (with, together). See also: Genesis 32:18; Psalms 85:11; Proverbs 17:12.
אֹתָֽ/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 25:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 25:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 25:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 25:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:20
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:20
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 25:20
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 25:20
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:20
Context — Abigail Intercedes for Nabal
18Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys
19and said to her young men, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.
20As Abigail came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming down toward her, and she met them.
21Now David had just said, “In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good. 22May God punish David, and ever so severely, if I let one male belonging to Nabal survive until morning.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 4:24 | Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, “Drive onward; do not slow the pace for me unless I tell you.” |
1 Samuel 25:20 Summary
This verse shows Abigail taking action to meet David and his men, trying to prevent them from harming her household. She is being brave and humble, similar to how we see other heroes of faith in the Bible, like in Hebrews 11:32-34. Abigail's example teaches us the importance of being prepared and taking initiative to bring peace and reconciliation, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:9. By studying Abigail's actions, we can learn to be more like her, using our resources and influence to help others, as encouraged in Galatians 6:2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Abigail riding her donkey into a mountain ravine?
Abigail was likely trying to intercept David and his men to prevent them from harming her household, as seen in 1 Samuel 25:18-19 where she loads supplies on donkeys to meet them, similar to how we see hospitality and preparation in other Bible stories like Genesis 18:1-8.
Who were the men coming down toward Abigail?
The men coming down toward Abigail were David and his men, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 25:20, who were likely traveling through the area after being rejected by Nabal in 1 Samuel 25:10-12, reminiscent of how Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness in Exodus 13:18.
What was Abigail's goal in meeting David and his men?
Abigail's goal was to appease David and prevent him from taking revenge on her household, as seen in 1 Samuel 25:23-31, where she humbly asks for forgiveness and offers gifts, similar to the way Esther interceded for her people in Esther 5:1-8.
How does Abigail's actions in this verse relate to her character?
Abigail's actions in this verse show her to be a wise, brave, and humble woman, willing to take risks to protect her household, as also seen in Proverbs 31:10-31, which describes the characteristics of a virtuous woman, and in 1 Samuel 25:3, which introduces Abigail as intelligent and beautiful.
Reflection Questions
- What would I do if I were in Abigail's situation, and how can I apply her courage and humility to my own life?
- How does Abigail's example of hospitality and preparation challenge me to be more mindful of the needs of others, as seen in Matthew 25:31-46?
- In what ways can I, like Abigail, use my resources and influence to bring peace and reconciliation to those around me, as encouraged in Romans 12:14-21?
- What can I learn from Abigail's willingness to take initiative and act quickly in a difficult situation, as seen in James 1:22-25?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 25:20
And it was [so, as] she rode on the ass,.... After her servants: that she came down, by the covert of the hill; by the side of it, which was covered with bushes, and she rode among them, in a way
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 25:20
And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:20
By the covert of the hill; in the lower part and under the shadow of the hill, or of the trees that grew upon it; so that David did not see her till she met him. David and his men came down, to wit, from another opposite hill.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:20
1 Samuel 25:20 And it was [so, as] she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.Ver. 20. That she came down by the covert of the hill.] That is, saith Martyr, by a blind and secret way; not the common road, lest she should meet with any interruption. David also and his men, by a providence, came the same way: and so they met haply, but happily.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:20
(20) The covert of the hill.—Keil explains the words sether hahar—literally, a hidden part of the mountain—as probably signifying a hollow between two peaks of the mountain; thus each of the advancing parties would “come down”—Abigail, who approached on one side, and David, who came on the other—and would meet in the hollow between.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:20
Verse 20. She came down - and David - came down] David was coming down Mount Paran; Abigail was coming down from Carmel. - Calmet.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 25:20
20. came down by the covert of the hill] Abigail was apparently riding down a defile between two hills, which is called “the covert” (lit. “the secret place of the mountain”), because it was concealed from observation. David’s troop came down the opposite hill to meet her. “Covert” from Fr. couvert means shelter, hiding-place. On “against” see 1 Samuel 9:14.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 25:20
The covert of the hill - Probably a defile or glen, literally a “secret place,” as in 1 Samuel 19:2. She was riding down into this glen from one side, while David and his men were descending the opposite hill.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 25:20
20. Covert of the hill — A concealed place in the fastnesses of the mountains, away from human habitation.