1 Samuel 25:41
New International Version
She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, “I am your servant and am ready to serve you and wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

New Living Translation
She bowed low to the ground and responded, “I, your servant, would be happy to marry David. I would even be willing to become a slave, washing the feet of his servants!”

English Standard Version
And she rose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.”

Berean Standard Bible
She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

King James Bible
And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

New King James Version
Then she arose, bowed her face to the earth, and said, “Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.”

New American Standard Bible
And she got up and bowed with her face to the ground, and said, “Behold, your slave is a servant to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

NASB 1995
She arose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your maidservant is a maid to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

NASB 1977
And she arose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your maidservant is a maid to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And she arose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your maidservant is a servant-woman to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

Amplified Bible
And she stood and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your maidservant is [ready to be] a maid to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.”

Christian Standard Bible
She stood up, paid homage with her face to the ground, and said, “Here I am, your servant, a slave to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
She stood up, then bowed her face to the ground and said, “Here I am, your servant, to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
She bowed down and said, "I would willingly be David's slave and wash his servants' feet."

English Revised Version
And she arose, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, Behold, thine handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
She bowed down with her face touching the ground. "I am ready to serve," she said. "I am ready to wash the feet of my master's servants."

Good News Translation
Abigail bowed down to the ground and said, "I am his servant, ready to wash the feet of his servants."

International Standard Version
She got up, prostrated herself face down on the ground, and replied, "Your servant would be a slave to wash the feet of your majesty's servants."

Majority Standard Bible
She arose, then bowed facedown and said, “Here is your maidservant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

NET Bible
She arose, bowed her face toward the ground, and said, "Your female servant, like a lowly servant, will wash the feet of the servants of my lord."

New Heart English Bible
She got up and bowed herself with her face to the ground, and said, "Look, your servant is a lowly servant to wash the feet of your servants."

Webster's Bible Translation
And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thy handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

World English Bible
She arose and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, “Behold, your servant is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And she rises and bows herself—face to the earth—and says, “Behold, your handmaid [is] for a maidservant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.”

Young's Literal Translation
And she riseth and boweth herself -- face to the earth -- and saith, 'Lo, thy handmaid is for a maid-servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And she will rise and worship with the face to the earth, and say, Behold, thy servant for a servant to wash the feet of my lord's servants.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And she arose and bowed herself down with her face to the earth, and said: Behold, let thy servant be a handmaid, to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And rising up, she reverenced prone on the ground, and she said, “Behold, let your servant be a handmaid, to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.”

New American Bible
Rising and bowing to the ground, she answered, “Let your maidservant be the slave who washes the feet of my lord’s servants.”

New Revised Standard Version
She rose and bowed down, with her face to the ground, and said, “Your servant is a slave to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And she arose and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let your handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And she arose and she bowed down on her face on the ground and she said: “Now your MaidServant is a MaidServant to wash the feet of the Servants of my Lord!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And she arose, and bowed down with her face to the earth, and said: 'Behold, thy handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And she arose, and did reverence with her face to the earth, and said, Behold, thy servant is for an handmaid to wash the feet of thy servants.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Marries Abigail
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.” 42So Abigail hurried and got on a donkey, and attended by five of her maidens, she followed David’s messengers and became his wife.…

Cross References
Philippians 2:5-7
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: / Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Matthew 20:26-28
It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— / just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:14-15
So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.

Luke 22:26-27
But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.

Mark 10:43-45
But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. / For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.

Genesis 24:18-20
“Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink. / After she had given him a drink, she said, “I will also draw water for your camels, until they have had enough to drink.” / And she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw water, until she had drawn water for all his camels.

Ruth 2:10
At this, she fell on her face, bowing low to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me, even though I am a foreigner?”

2 Kings 4:13-14
and Elisha said to Gehazi, “Now tell her, ‘Look, you have gone to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’” “I have a home among my own people,” she replied. / So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.”

Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.


Treasury of Scripture

And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let your handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

thine

Ruth 2:10,13
Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? …

Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

to wash

Genesis 18:4
Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

John 13:3-5
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; …

1 Timothy 5:10
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

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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














She arose
This phrase indicates a physical action that signifies readiness and willingness. In the Hebrew context, rising up often symbolizes preparation for action or a change in status. Abigail's rising is a demonstration of her humility and readiness to serve, reflecting her character as a woman of wisdom and discernment.

bowed facedown
Bowing facedown is a gesture of deep respect and submission in ancient Near Eastern cultures. It signifies humility and acknowledgment of another's authority. Abigail's act of bowing before David is a profound expression of her recognition of his future kingship and her submission to God's anointed.

and said
The act of speaking in biblical narratives often carries weight, as words are seen as powerful and significant. Abigail's words are carefully chosen, reflecting her intelligence and understanding of the situation. Her speech is a model of diplomacy and grace.

Here is your maidservant
By referring to herself as a maidservant, Abigail is expressing humility and a willingness to serve. The term "maidservant" in Hebrew, "amah," denotes a female servant or handmaid, emphasizing her position of service and loyalty.

ready to serve you
This phrase highlights Abigail's readiness and eagerness to fulfill her role. Her willingness to serve David is not just a social obligation but a heartfelt commitment, reflecting her understanding of God's plan for David.

and wash the feet
Washing feet in ancient times was a task reserved for the lowliest of servants, symbolizing humility and hospitality. Abigail's offer to wash the feet of David's servants is a profound act of servitude, echoing the later example of Christ washing His disciples' feet.

of my lord’s servants
By referring to David as "my lord," Abigail acknowledges his authority and future kingship. The term "servants" here indicates those who are loyal to David, and Abigail's willingness to serve them underscores her acceptance of David's leadership and her desire to be part of his household.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
She arose,
וַתָּ֕קָם (wat·tā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

then bowed
וַתִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ (wat·tiš·ta·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

facedown
אַפַּ֖יִם (’ap·pa·yim)
Noun - md
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

and said,
וַתֹּ֗אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Here is
הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

your maidservant,
אֲמָֽתְךָ֙ (’ă·mā·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave

ready to serve
לְשִׁפְחָ֔ה (lə·šip̄·ḥāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8198: Maid, maidservant

and to wash
לִרְחֹ֕ץ (lir·ḥōṣ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7364: To wash, wash off or away, bathe

the feet
רַגְלֵ֖י (raḡ·lê)
Noun - fdc
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

of my lord’s
אֲדֹנִֽי׃ (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

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


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OT History: 1 Samuel 25:41 She arose and bowed herself with her (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 25:40
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