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.”
32. David answered Abigail, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel. He sent you to meet me.
33. May you be blessed for your wisdom. You have kept me from killing or punishing people today.
34. As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, he has kept me from hurting you. If you hadn’t come quickly to meet me, no one belonging to Nabal would have lived until tomorrow.”
35. Then David accepted Abigail’s gifts. He told her, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words, and I will do what you have asked.”
36. When Abigail went back to Nabal, he was in the house. He was eating like a king. He was very drunk and in a good mood. So she told him nothing until the next morning.
37. In the morning he was not drunk. Then his wife told him everything. His heart failed him, and he became like a stone.
38. About ten days later the Lord struck Nabal and caused him to die.
39. When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise the Lord! Nabal insulted me, but the Lord has supported me! He has kept me from doing wrong. And the Lord caused Nabal to die because he did wrong.”Then David sent a message to Abigail. He asked her to become his wife.