[:en]Nabal (meaning ‘fool’) was a Celebite wealthy man who lived in Carmel. His wife Abigail was beautiful and intelligent. but he was surly and mean. When David’s men went to ask some bread and water from him, he refused and replied them harshly. In his anger, David wanted to take revenge. When Nabal’s men informed Abigail, she was quick to act to prevent David from becoming a murderer. She brought a gift and reminded him of Nabal’s true character (v. 23-25), asked for forgiveness (v. 28), talked about his past victories (v. 29) and cautioned him that bloodshed would bother his conscience in the future. (v. 31). David accepted her gift and his anger subsided. Ten days later, God struck Nabal and he died. Abigail ultimately became David’s wife.
“Do not say I’ll pay you back this wrong. Wait for the Lord and He will deliver you” (Prov. 20:22)
“Do not say: “I’ll do to him as he has done to me. I’ll pay that man back for what he did” (Prov. 24:29)
“Vengeance is mine, says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19, Deut. 32:35)[:]