After Samuel's death, David moved to the wilderness. He met Nabal, whose name, Abigail said, fit him, for folly was with him. Nabal refused to repay the protection David's men had given his shepherds. He insulted David as a runaway servant.

David, who had just spared Saul, now set out in anger to take revenge. The man who left vengeance to God in chapter 24 was about to take it with his own hand. One of Nabal's young men warned Abigail, and she acted quickly and wisely.

Abigail met David with generous gifts. She took the blame on herself and reminded David that the Lord would make him a sure house. She urged him not to shed blood without cause. David recognized God's hand and blessed her discretion. Nabal was very drunk at his feast. When Abigail told him the next morning, his heart died within him. About ten days later, Yahweh struck Nabal, and he died. Abigail became David's wife, and David also married Ahinoam. Saul had given Michal to another man.

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.