Blessed Is Your Discretion

Chapter 25 opens with the death of Samuel, whom all Israel mourned. Then the narrative turns to a domestic crisis that tests David's character. Nabal, very great in wealth, was surly and evil in his doings. When David's young men greeted him in peace and asked for provisions, Nabal answered with contempt: Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse?

David's response reveals that even God's anointed could be ruled by anger. Having spared Saul in the cave, he now strapped on his sword to destroy a household over an insult. The contrast is deliberate: restraint toward Saul, rage toward Nabal. It is Abigail, intelligent and beautiful, who intervenes. Her speech is one of the wisest in Scripture. She takes the blame, calls Nabal a worthless fellow, and reminds David that Yahweh will make him a sure house because he fights Yahweh's battles.

Abigail appeals to David's future: when Yahweh appoints him prince over Israel, this shall be no grief to you, nor offense of heart. David listened. He said, Blessed is your discretion, and blessed are you, who have kept me today from blood guiltiness. Yahweh then dealt with Nabal Himself. Nabal was very drunk at his feast, and about ten days later Yahweh struck Nabal, so that he died. Vengeance belonged to God. Abigail became David's wife, and David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel. Meanwhile Saul had given Michal, David's wife, to Palti.