David and Abigail

In the wilderness of Paran, David and his men have protected the shepherds of Nabal, a wealthy sheep rancher. At shearing time, David sends ten young men to ask for provisions. Nabal, “churlish and evil in his doings,” insults them: “Who is David?” David gives the order: “Gird ye on every man his sword!” Four hundred men follow him. A servant warns Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance.” Without telling her husband, she loads donkeys with food and rides out to meet David. She falls at his feet: “Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be!” David blesses the LORD for keeping him from shedding blood, and blesses Abigail for her good judgment. When Nabal learns what happened, his heart turns to stone within him, and ten days later the LORD strikes him down. David takes Abigail as his wife.