1 Samuel 25:23-42

When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed facedown on the ground before him. She fell at David’s feet and said, “My master, let the blame be on me! Please let me talk to you. Listen to what I say. My master, don’t pay attention to this worthless man Nabal. He is like his name. His name means ‘fool,’ and he is truly a fool. But I, your servant, didn’t see the men you sent. The LORD has kept you from killing and punishing anyone. As surely as the LORD lives and as surely as you live, may your enemies become like Nabal! I have brought a gift to you for the men who follow you.Please forgive my wrong. The LORD will certainly let your family have many kings, because you fight his battles. As long as you live, may you do nothing bad. Someone might chase you to kill you, but the LORD your God will keep you alive. He will throw away your enemies’ lives as he would throw a stone from a sling. The LORD will keep all his promises of good things for you. He will make you leader over Israel. Then you won’t feel guilty or troubled because you killed innocent people and punished them. Please remember me when the LORD brings you success.” David answered Abigail, “Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me. May you be blessed for your wisdom. You have kept me from killing or punishing people today. As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, he has kept me from hurting you. If you hadn’t come quickly to meet me, not one of Nabal’s men would have lived until morning.” Then David accepted Abigail’s gifts. He told her, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words, and I will do what you have asked.” When Abigail went back to Nabal, he was in the house, eating like a king. He was very drunk and in a good mood. So she told him nothing until the next morning. In the morning when he was not drunk, his wife told him everything. His heart stopped, and he became like stone. About ten days later the LORD struck Nabal and he died. When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise the LORD! Nabal insulted me, but the LORD has supported me! He has kept me from doing wrong. The LORD has punished Nabal for his wrong.” Then David sent a message to Abigail, asking her to be his wife. His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, “David sent us to take you so you can become his wife.” Abigail bowed facedown on the ground and said, “I am your servant. I’m ready to serve you and to wash the feet of my master’s servants.” Abigail quickly got on a donkey and went with David’s messengers, with her five maids following her. And she became David’s wife.