This story starts with Samuel's death, which ends an era of Judges leadership, and now it clarifies the role of King. David then went to southern Israel in the area of Carmel, where King Saul had placed a monument in his own honor in 1 Samuel 15:12. There was a descendant of Caleb, named Nabal who lived there, but unlike Caleb, Nabal, which means fool, was also cruel and evil in his dealings. He had wealth and goats and sheep. David and his men had protected his flocks, and Nabal's servants knew that, but Nabal did not ask for the help, and he did not respect David. When it was sheep sheering time, David sent ten young men to go and ask for food, but Nabal not only said no, but he degraded both David and his family's name. At this David's anger burned, and he planned on killing Nabal and all the men of the estate. Thankfully, one of their servants went and told Abigail who quickly took action. She sent food to David on ahead of her, and then she got ready and approached David. When she saw him, she quickly got off her donkey, knelt before them, and at David's feet. She then spoke and called David, her Lord, and spoke of herself as his maidservant. She asked for forgiveness, and took responsibility. She acknowledged that THE Lord was with David and that his battles were not for evil but for the Lord. She also told him she knew that Saul was the one trying to kill David, and that one day he would be king, and when he was, she asked him to remember her. This soothed David's anger, and he sent her home in peace. That night Nabal was partying and drunk, so Abigail waited until the next morning and told him how she had spared his life. His heart failed him, and 10 days later, the Lord took his life. David then sent word to ask Abigail to be his 3rd wife. His second wife was Ahinoam of Jezreel, which probably happened during his running from Saul. His first wife was Saul's daughter, Michal, but the last verse tells us that Saul had given her to another man.
