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of covetousness； nor because they were in want； nor because they
were in the wilderness； and so could not easily be discovered；
but to esteem freedom from injustice above all other motives； and
to look upon the touching of what belonged to another man as a
horrible crime； and contrary to the will of God。 These were the
instructions he gave； thinking that the favors he granted this
man were granted to a good man； and one that deserved to have
such care taken of his affairs。 This man was Nabal； for that was
his name； … a harsh man； and of a very wicked life； being like a
cynic in the course of his behavior； but still had obtained for
his wife a woman of a good character； wise and handsome。 To this
Nabal； therefore； David sent ten men of his attendants at the
time when he sheared his sheep； and by them saluted him； and also
wished he might do what he now did for many years to come； but
desired him to make him a present of what he was able to give
him； since he had； to be sure； learned from his shepherds that we
had done them no injury； but had been their guardians a long time
together； while we continued in the wilderness； and he assured
him he should never repent of giving any thing to David。 When the
messengers had carried this message to Nabal； he accosted them
after an inhuman and rough manner； for he asked them who David
was？ and when he heard that he was the son of Jesse； he said；
〃Now is the time that fugitives grow insolent； and make a figure；
and leave their masters。〃 When they told David this； he was
wroth； and commanded four hundred armed men to follow him； and
left two hundred to take care of the stuff； （for he had already
six hundred； （24）） and went against Nabal： he also swore that he
would that night utterly destroy the whole house and possessions
of Nabal； for that he was grieved； not only that he had proved
ungrateful to them； without making any return for the humanity
they had shown him； but that he had also reproached them； and
used ill language to them； when he had received no cause of
disgust from them。
7。 Hereupon one of those that kept the flocks of Nabal； said to
his mistress； Nabal's wife； that when David sent to her husband
he had received no civil answer at all from him； but that her
husband had moreover added very reproachful language； while yet
David had taken extraordinary care to keep his flocks from harm；
and that what had passed would prove very pernicious to his
master。 When the servant had said this； Abigail； for that was his
wife's name； saddled her asses； and loaded them with all sorts of
presents； and； without telling her husband any thing of what she
was about； （for he was not sensible on account of his
drunkenness；） she went to David。 She was then met by David as she
was descending a hill； who was coming against Nabal with four
hundred men。 When the woman saw David； she leaped down from her
ass； and fell on her face； and bowed down to the ground； and
entreated him not to bear in mind the words of Nabal； since he
knew that he resembled his name。 Now Nabal； in the Hebrew tongue；
signifies folly。 So she made her apology； that she did not see
the messengers whom he sent。 〃Forgive me； therefore；〃 said she；
〃and thank God； who hath hindered thee from shedding human blood；
for so long as thou keepest thyself innocent； he will avenge thee
of wicked men； （25） for what miseries await Nabal； they will fall
upon the heads of thine enemies。 Be thou gracious to me； and
think me so far worthy as to accept of these presents from me；
and； out of regard to me； remit that wrath and that anger which
thou hast against my husband and his house； for mildness and
humanity become thee； especially as thou art to be our king。〃
Accordingly； David accepted her presents； and said； 〃Nay； but； O
woman； it was no other than God's mercy which brought thee to us
today； for； otherwise； thou hadst never seen another day； I
having sworn to destroy Nabal's house this very night； and to
leave alive not one of you who belonged to a man that was wicked
and ungrateful to me and my companions； but now hast thou
prevented me； and seasonably mollified my anger； as being thyself
under the care of God's providence： but as for Nabal； although
for thy sake he now escape punishment； he will not always avoid
justice； for his evil conduct； on some other occasion； will be
his ruin。〃
8。 When David had said this； he dismissed the woman。 But when she
came home and found her husband feasting with a great company；
and oppressed with wine； she said nothing to him then about what
had happened； but on the next day； when he was sober； she told
him all the particulars； and made his whole body to appear like
that of a dead man by her words； and by that grief which arose
from them； so Nabal survived ten days； and no more； and then
died。 And when David heard of his death； he said that God had
justly avenged him of this man； for that Nabal had died by his
own wickedness； and had suffered punishment on his account； while
he had kept his own hands clean。 At which time he understood that
the wicked are prosecuted by God； that he does not overlook any
man； but bestows on the good what is suitable to them； and
inflicts a deserved punishment on the wicked。 So he sent to
Nabal's wife； and invited her to come to him； to live with him；
and to be his wife。 Whereupon she replied to those that came；
that she was not worthy to touch his feet； however； she came；
with all her servants； and became his wife； having received that
honor on account of her wise and righteous course of life。 She
also obtained the same honor partly on account of her beauty。 Now
David had a wife before； whom he married from the city Abesar；
for as to Michal； the daughter of king Saul； who had been David's
wife； her father had given her in marriage to Phalti； the son of
Laish； who was of the city of Gallim。
9。 After this came certain of the Ziphites； and told Saul that
David was come again into their country； and if he would afford
them his assistance； they could catch him。 So he came to them
with three thousand armed men； and upon the approach of night； he
pitched his camp at a certain place called Hachilah。 But when
David heard that Saul was coming against him； he sent spies； and
bid them let him know to what place of the country Saul was
already come； and when they told him that he was at Hachilah； he
concealed his going away from his companions； and came to Saul's
camp； having taken with him Abishai； his sister Zeruiah's son；
and Ahimelech the Hittite。 Now Saul was asleep； and the armed
men； with Abner their commander； lay round about him in a circle。
Hereupon David entered into the king's tent； but he did neither
kill Saul； though he knew where he lay； by the spear that was
stuck down by him； nor did he give leave to Abishai； who would
have killed him； and was earnestly bent upon it so to do； for he
said it was a horrid crime to kill one that was ordained king by
God； although he was a wicked man； for that he who gave him the
dominion would in time inflict punishment upon him。 So he
restrained his eagerness； but that it might appear to have been
in his power to have killed him wh