1 Samuel 25:23-35 ▼

23 When Abigail (my father is joy) saw David (beloved), she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him.

24 She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant.

25 My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal (fool), for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.

26 Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD {YHWH} lives and you yourself live, since the LORD has held you back from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, may your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal (fool).

27 Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you.

28 Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD {YHWH} will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.

29 And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling \fling away the souls of your enemies as from the pocket of a sling/.

30 When the LORD {YHWH} has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel (he wrestles with God),

31 then my lord will have no remorse or guilt of conscience over needless bloodshed and revenge. And when the LORD {YHWH} has dealt well with my lord, may you remember your servant.”

32 Then David (beloved) said to Abigail (my father is joy), “Blessed be the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), who sent you to meet me this day!

33 Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand.

34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal (fool) would have been left alive by morning light.”

35 Then David (beloved) accepted from her hand what she had brought him, and he said to her, “Go home in peace. See, I have heeded your voice and granted your request.”