BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 25› Verse 41

1 Samuel 25:41

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 25:41 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And she arose, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, Behold, thy handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And she arose, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, Behold, thy handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.
1 Samuel 25:41 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
38And it came to pass about ten days after, that Jehovah smote Nabal, so that he died.
39And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be Jehovah, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept back his servant from evil: and the evil-doing of Nabal hath Jehovah returned upon his own head. And David sent and spake concerning Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
40And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David hath sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.
41And she arose, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, Behold, thy handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.
42And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that followed her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.
43David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they became both of them his wives.
44Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David`s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.
← 1 Samuel 25:401 Samuel 25:42 →
← Full Chapter 25 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And she arose, and bowed herself on [her] face to the earth, etc.] As she did before David, (<092523>1 Samuel 25:23); and did as she would have done had he been present, considering his messengers as representing him and therefore showed the same respect and reverence and did the same honour, as if he had been there in person: and said; expressed herself in such language as if David had been before her: behold, [let] thine handmaid [be] a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord; which she said through her great humility, this being one of the meanest services she could be put to; intimating, that she was so far from being worthy to be the wife of such a man that she was only fit…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thine: Rut 2:10, Rut 2:13; Pro 15:33, Pro 18:12 to wash: Gen 18:4; Joh 13:3-5; Ti1 5:10 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 25:42”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 25 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification