David Marries Abigail

During their stay in the wilderness of Ziph and Maon (ch. 23:24—26), before the removal to En—gedi (ch. 23:29), David and his men had become acquainted with the shepherds of Nabal, and had left a most favorable impression. Living close to the desert, Nabal was constantly exposed to marauding bands. Nabal's name means "foolish" and he lives us to his name in how he treats David.

Though an outlaw himself, so far as Saul was concerned, David had been the protector of his people from the predatory attacks from the desert. He had preserved the flocks of Nabal at no expense to their owner. Sheep owners would normally be happy to reward those helping them against loss. David's request for supplies was legitimate and in harmony with the customs of his time.

Nabal responds by asking, "Who is David?" Such insulting remarks would scarcely have been made if David had abode still at Maon. The reference to the servants breaking away may be either to David's breach with Saul or to these young men whom Nabal curtly dismissed with the insinuation that he could not tell whether they were David's men or not (see v. 11). David made a serious blunder in his hasty decision to seek personal revenge. He had yet to learn the lesson of patience. Abigail heard what her husband did.

What turn of events attached a woman of such a disposition to such a rash, impetuous man as Nabal is not known, but often two people of diametrically opposite natures are brought together in the most intimate relationships of husband and wife. This was probably not the first time that Abigail had been called upon to act as peacemaker between her husband and his associates. Little did Abigail realize in her daily ministrations to Nabal that she was developing a clearness of spiritual perception and a strengthening of her womanly intuition that would one day enable her to keep David from a serious error (vs. 18—28).