• Nabal’s Needless Affront — 1 Samuel 25:1-11
• David’s Planned Vengeance — 1 Samuel 25:12-13
• Abigail’s Gracious Intercession — 1 Samuel 25:14-31
• David’s Grateful Response — 1 Samuel 25:32-35
• The Lord’s Vengeance — 1 Samuel 25:36-38
• David and Abigail’s Marriage — 1 Samuel 25:39-44

1 Samuel 25:21-35
25:21 David had just said, “It’s been useless-all my watching [David and his men had provided security for Nabal’s shepherds and flocks] over this fellow’s [Nabal, a wealthy sheep owner; described as “surly and mean” (25:3)] property in the desert so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil [implies betrayal or cruelty; Nabal did this by refusing to help David and his men (25:5-12)] for good.

25:22 May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male [included Nabal’s sons, thus insuring that no one would survive to avenge Nabal’s death] of all who belong to him!”

25:23 When Abigail [Nabal’s wife; she defused a dangerous situation] saw David [Abigail appealed to David rather than to her foolish husband], she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down [posture indicated deep respect] before David with her face to the ground [posture revealed her humility].

25:24-25 Abigail asked David to listen to her / acknowledged Nabal’s foolishness.

25:26 “Now since the LORD [Abigail’s arrival providential; helped David focus on God’s will] has kept you, my master [demonstrated attitude of submission], from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, may your enemies and all who intend to harm my master be like [as foolish as; suffer a similar fate as] Nabal [name means “fool” or “folly” (25:25)].

25:27 And let this gift [cf. 25:18-19; reminder that there is a cost in restoring relationships], which your servant has brought to my master [Nabal referred to David as a servant (25:10); Abigail called David master], be given [David and his men deserved this assistance from Nabal for the service they had rendered him (25:4-8)] to the men who follow you.

25:28 Please forgive your servant’s [refers to Abigail, thus indicating that she accepted blame for her husband’s foolish behavior] offense, for the LORD will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my master [the first to prophesy this; cf. 2 Sam. 7:16], because [reason why the Lord would establish David’s dynasty or house] he fights the LORD’S [rather than his own personal battles] battles. Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live.

25:29 Even though someone [Saul; Philistines; others] is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle [people often kept most precious possessions in a bundle; a secure place] of the living by the LORD your God. But [by contrast] the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as [a stone] from the pocket of a sling [cf. 25:37-38 – Nabal “became like a stone”; cf. Prov. 20:22].

25:30 When the LORD has done for my master every good thing [Abigail recognized that God had great things in store for David] he promised concerning him and has appointed him leader over Israel,

25:31 my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed [something he would later regret] or of having avenged himself. And when the LORD has brought my master success [Abigail affirmed her belief in God’s plan for David’s life], remember [has idea of acting on an earlier promise] your servant [Abigail and her family].”

25:32 David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me [David recognized how the Lord had used Abigail’s words and actions; we must learn to discern God at work through others; cf. 25:26].

25:33 May you be blessed for your good judgment [Abigail showed discretion, admirable quality in a woman (Prov. 11:22)] and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands [cf. Rom. 12:19 re: vengeance].

25:34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if [indicates what might have happened if Abigail had failed to go to David] you had not come quickly [and courageously] to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak.”

25:35 Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought [25:18] him and said, “Go home in peace [without fear]. I have heard your words and granted your request.” [God’s judgment overtook Nabal within days of this encounter]