MPV Commentary

Abigail Pacifies Him.

14-18. Abigail quickly took action to save her husband and family from destruction by acknowledging David's demand and providing a generous gift. She gathered a large amount of food, including parched corn, which was a staple in their region, and accompanied it with the finest products available. The gift was presented in several goatskins, capable of holding a significant quantity.

19. Abigail instructed her servants to precede her, saying, "Go on before me; behold, I come after you." This was a common practice in the East, where people would load multiple animals with gifts and bring them forward one by one to make an impressive presentation. Abigail decided to follow her gift personally, observing how it would be received.

23. Abigail hastened to dismount from her donkey and fell before David on her face as a sign of utmost respect. This act was a significant gesture of homage, acknowledging David's superior status and character. Her words and actions made amends for her husband's disrespect and paid tribute to David's claims.

25. Nabal's name, meaning "fool," ironically suited his behavior.

26. Abigail prayed that David's enemies would be as foolish and contemptible as Nabal.

29. Abigail expressed her hope that the Lord would protect David, saying, "The soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God." This was an Oriental expression indicating perfect security under divine protection.

32-35. David responded to Abigail's gift by expressing gratitude and relief, saying, "Blessed be the Lord." He had been on the verge of committing a grave injustice but was deterred by Abigail's timely intervention. Her actions opened his eyes to the moral implications of his course of action, and he accepted her gift with satisfaction and appreciation for having spared him from bloodshed.