1 Samuel 25:40
New International Version
His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, “David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife.”

New Living Translation
When the messengers arrived at Carmel, they told Abigail, “David has sent us to take you back to marry him.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife.”

NASB 1995
When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you to take you as his wife.”

NASB 1977
When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you, to take you as his wife.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel and spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you to take you as his wife.”

Amplified Bible
When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, “David sent us to you to take you [to him] to be his wife.”

Christian Standard Bible
When David’s servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, “David sent us to bring you to him as a wife.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When David’s servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, “David sent us to bring you to him as a wife.”

American Standard Version
And 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.

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When David's servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they told her, "David has sent us to you so that we can take you to him to be his wife."

Good News Translation
His servants went to her at Carmel and said to her, "David sent us to take you to him to be his wife."

International Standard Version
David's servants went to Abigail at Carmel and told her, "David sent us to you to take you to him as his wife."

Majority Standard Bible
When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, ?David has sent us to take you as his wife.?

NET Bible
So the servants of David went to Abigail at Carmel and said to her, "David has sent us to you to bring you back to be his wife."

New Heart English Bible
When the servants of David had come to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, "David has sent us to you, to take you to be his wife."

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the servants of David had come to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, David hath sent us to thee, to take thee to him for a wife.

World English Bible
When David’s servants had come to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you, to take you to him as wife.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the servants of David come to Abigail at Carmel, and speak to her, saying, “David has sent us to you to take you to himself for a wife.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the servants of David come in unto Abigail at Carmel, and speak unto her, saying, 'David hath sent us unto thee to take thee to him for a wife.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David's servants will come to Abigail to Carmel and will speak to her, saying, David sent us to thee to take thee to him for a wife.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David's servants came to Abigail to Carmel, and spoke to her, saying: David hath sent us to thee, to take thee to himself for a wife.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David’s servants went to Abigail at Carmel, and they spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you, so that he might take you to himself as wife.”

New American Bible
When David’s servants came to Abigail in Carmel, they said to her, “David has sent us to make his proposal of marriage to you.”

New Revised Standard Version
When David’s servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, “David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, David has sent us to you, to take you to him to wife.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Servants of David came to Abigal in a fruitful field, and they said to her: “David sent us for you that we would bring you to him as a wife!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke unto her, saying: 'David hath sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So the servants of David came to Abigaia to Carmel, and spoke to her, saying, David has sent us to thee, to take thee to himself for a wife.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Marries Abigail
39On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking for her in marriage. 40When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” 41She arose, then bowed facedown and said, “Here is your maidservant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”…

Cross References
Genesis 24:51-58
Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.” / When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. / Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother. ...

Ruth 3:9-11
“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.” / Then Boaz said, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before, because you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. / And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.

1 Kings 2:17-22
Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” / “Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.” / So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand. ...

2 Samuel 3:14-16
Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins.” / So Ish-bosheth sent and took Michal from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. / Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he returned home.

Genesis 29:18-20
Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” / Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.” / So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.

Judges 14:2-3
So he returned and told his father and mother, “I have seen a daughter of the Philistines in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.” / But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.”

Matthew 1:18-20
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. / Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly. / But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, / to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. / The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” ...

John 3:29
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

Ephesians 5:31-32
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” / This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.

Revelation 19:7-9
Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. / She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. / Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

Genesis 24:34-38
“I am Abraham’s servant,” he replied. / “The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys. / My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and my master has given him everything he owns. ...

2 Samuel 11:2-4
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home.

Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

Song of Solomon 3:11
Come out, O daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding—the day of his heart’s rejoicing.


Treasury of Scripture

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

David sent

Genesis 24:37,38,51
And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: …

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Abigail Ab'igail Carmel David David's Servants Speak Wife
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Abigail Ab'igail Carmel David David's Servants Speak Wife
1 Samuel 25
1. Samuel dies
2. David in Paran sends to Nabal
10. Provoked by Nabal's rudeness, he minds to destroy him
14. Abigail understanding thereof
18. takes a present
23. and by her wisdom
32. pacifies David
36. Nabal hearing thereof, dies
39. David takes Abigail and Ahinoam to be his wives
44. Michal is given to Phalti














When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel
This phrase sets the scene in Carmel, a town in the territory of Judah. Carmel was known for its fertile land and was a place where Nabal, Abigail's first husband, had significant wealth. The mention of "his servants" refers to David's men, who were sent on his behalf. This reflects the cultural practice of sending representatives to negotiate marriage, a common custom in ancient Israel. The context here follows the death of Nabal, Abigail's first husband, and David's recognition of Abigail's wisdom and character, as seen earlier in the chapter.

they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.”
This phrase highlights the proposal of marriage from David to Abigail. In the historical context, marriage was often arranged for political alliances or social stability. David's proposal can be seen as both a personal and strategic decision, as Abigail was known for her intelligence and discernment. This marriage also signifies a new beginning for Abigail, moving from a difficult marriage with Nabal to a union with David, who would later become king. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ's relationship with the Church, where Christ, like David, seeks a bride who is wise and discerning. The act of sending servants can be paralleled with the way God sends His messengers to call people into a relationship with Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, and a man after God's own heart. At this point, he is leading a group of men while fleeing from King Saul.

2. Abigail
A wise and discerning woman, previously the wife of Nabal. She is known for her quick action and wisdom in preventing David from taking vengeance on her household.

3. Nabal
Abigail's former husband, described as harsh and evil in his dealings. He refused to help David and his men, leading to a confrontation that Abigail skillfully defused.

4. Carmel
A town in the territory of Judah, not to be confused with Mount Carmel. It is the setting for the events of this chapter.

5. David's Servants
Messengers sent by David to convey his proposal to Abigail, demonstrating the customs and practices of marriage proposals in ancient Israel.
Teaching Points
Wisdom in Action
Abigail's response to the crisis with David and Nabal highlights the importance of wisdom and discernment in difficult situations. Believers are encouraged to seek God's wisdom in their daily interactions.

God's Sovereignty
The unfolding events demonstrate God's sovereign hand in bringing about His purposes, even through human actions and decisions. Trust in God's plan is essential.

Peacemaking
Abigail's role as a peacemaker serves as a model for believers to pursue peace and reconciliation in their relationships, reflecting the heart of Christ.

Godly Character
Abigail's character and actions remind us of the importance of maintaining integrity and godliness, even when faced with challenging circumstances.

Divine Timing
The timing of Abigail's marriage to David, following Nabal's death, illustrates the importance of waiting on God's timing for life changes and decisions.(40) When the servants of David were come to Abigail.--The time that had elapsed between the death of Nabal and this mission of David to Abigail is not specified. The legal time of mourning was fixed at only seven days, but a very considerable period may have elapsed in this case. S. Ambrose allegorises here, as is usual in Patristic expositions, and compares the espousals of Abigail to David after Nabar's death to the union of the Church (i.e., the Gentile world) to Christ after the cessation of its connection with heathenism.--S. Ambrose, Ep. 31 (quoted in Words worth).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When [his]
דָוִ֛ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

servants
עַבְדֵ֥י (‘aḇ·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

came
וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Abigail
אֲבִיגַ֖יִל (’ă·ḇî·ḡa·yil)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 26: Abigail -- 'my father is joy', two Israelite women

at Carmel,
הַכַּרְמֶ֑לָה (hak·kar·me·lāh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3760: Carmel -- a mountain promontory on the Mediterranean, also a city near Hebron

they said,
וַיְדַבְּר֤וּ (way·ḏab·bə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

“David
דָּוִד֙ (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

has sent us
שְׁלָחָ֣נוּ (šə·lā·ḥā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

to take you
לְקַחְתֵּ֥ךְ (lə·qaḥ·têḵ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

as his wife.”
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃ (lə·’iš·šāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female


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OT History: 1 Samuel 25:40 When the servants of David were come (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 25:39
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