Translations
Modern
On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife.
Traditional
And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the Lord, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
Literal
And David heard that Nabal was dead, and he said, “Blessed be YHWH, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept His servant from evil. For the wickedness of Nabal YHWH has returned on his own head.” And David sent and spoke with Abigail to take her to him as wife.
Latin
Quod cum audisset David mortuum Nabal, ait: Benedictus Dominus, qui judicavit causam opprobrii mei de manu Nabal, et servum suum custodivit a malo, et malitiam Nabal reddidit Dominus in caput ejus. Misit ergo David, et locutus est ad Abigail, ut sumeret eam sibi in uxorem.
Original
Hebrew
English
On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife.
Notes
Nabal’s death was God’s punishment for his sin. David could not be accused of vengeful murder.
David quickly asked Abigail to marry him. She had proven herself wise and was also beautiful (1 Samuel 25:3).
This story about Nabal falls between two accounts in which Saul pursued David and David spared Saul’s life. Nabal was similar to Saul.
Events
People
Abigail: Wife of Nabal, later married David David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Nabal: Wealthy Carmelite; husband of Abigail. He was known for foolishness
Glossary
Abigail David Heart John the Baptist Meunim, Meunites Nabal Samuel, Books of First and Second Warfare
Topics
Marriage: Modes of Demanding Women In Polygamy: David Wife: Tactful Abigail