19. Then she told her servants, “Go on. I’ll follow you.” But she did not tell her husband.
20. Abigail rode her donkey and came down into the mountain ravine. There she met David and his men coming down toward her.
21. David had just said, “It’s been useless! I watched over Nabal’s property in the desert. I made sure none of his sheep were missing. I did good to him, but he has paid me back with evil.
22. May God punish me terribly if I let just one of Nabal’s family live until tomorrow.”
23. When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey. She bowed facedown on the ground before David.
24. She lay at David’s feet. She said, “My master, let the blame be on me! Please let me talk to you! Listen to what I say.
25. My master, don’t pay attention to this worthless man Nabal. He is the same as his name. His name means ‘fool,’ and he is truly foolish. But I, your servant, didn’t see the men you sent.
26. The Lord has kept you from killing and punishing people yourself. As surely as the Lord lives and as surely as you live, may your enemies become like Nabal!
27. I have brought a gift to you. Please give it to the men who follow you.
28. Please forgive my wrong. The Lord will certainly let your family have many kings. He will do this because you fight his battles. As long as you live, people will find nothing bad in you.
29. A man might chase you to kill you. But the Lord your God will keep you alive. He will throw away your enemies’ lives as he would throw a stone from a sling.
30. The Lord will keep all his promises about good things for you. He will make you leader over Israel.
31. Then you won’t feel guilty. You won’t have problems about killing innocent people and punishing them yourself. Please remember me when the Lord brings you success.”