Page 75 - No Apologies

about six hundred men join themselves to him and they became a traveling band of warriors
who would fight against the enemies of Israel. At times, however, they would attempt to
settle down in one location, and during one such time they found themselves in a region
where a wealthy man by the name of Nabal pastured his flocks. Shepherds at the time were
always in danger from marauding bands who would seek to come in and steal flocks and kill
or chase off the shepherds. David’s men, however, not only restrained themselves from
stealing Nabal’s flocks, but they protected his shepherds and flocks from others.
At then end of the year when it came time to shear the sheep, Nabal gave a huge
party and celebrated for many days. David sent a couple of his young men as ambassadors
to Nabal anticipating that in his prosperity and great celebration he would desire to reward
David and his men for their service in protecting his flocks and servants. However, Nabal
acted foolishly and he insulted David and his men and he sent David’s men back empty
handed.
David was enraged when he heard of Nabal’s insults. Nabal accused David of being
a rebellious servant that had broken away from King Saul. David, whose actions were
typically very humble, responded in pride and swore that he would not leave a single male
living in Nabal’s household to see the light of day. He and his men proceeded to go to
Nabal’s home with the intent of slaughtering everyone.
This would have been great sin had David done what was in his heart. Yahweh has
said, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19). We are advised
to give place unto wrath and to not take vengeance into our own hands. Mercifully, Yahweh
sent a wise and reverent woman to dissuade David from his course. Abigail acted quickly
to intercept David. She prepared a gift for David and his men, and went quickly to meet
them.

I Samuel 25:23-35
When Abigail saw David, she hurried and dismounted from her donkey, and fell on
her face before David and bowed herself to the ground. She fell at his feet and said,
"On me alone, my lord, be the blame. And please let your maidservant speak to you,
and listen to the words of your maidservant. "Please do not let my lord pay attention
to this worthless man, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name and folly
is with him; but I your maidservant did not see the young men of my lord whom you
sent. Now therefore, my lord, as Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, since Yahweh
has restrained you from shedding blood, and from avenging yourself by your own
hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek evil against my lord, be as
Nabal. Now let this gift which your maidservant has brought to my lord be given to
the young men who accompany my lord. Please forgive the transgression of your
maidservant; for Yahweh will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because
my lord is fighting the battles of Yahweh, and evil will not be found in you all your
days. Should anyone rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, then the life of my
lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with Yahweh your God; but the lives
of your enemies He will sling out as from the hollow of a sling. And when Yahweh
does for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and
appoints you ruler over Israel, this will not cause grief or a troubled heart to my lord,
both by having shed blood without cause and by my lord having avenged himself.
When Yahweh deals well with my lord, then remember your maidservant." Then
David said to Abigail, "Blessed be Yahweh God of Israel, who sent you this day to