V.1 We could name this chapter “A man’s foolishness and a woman’s faith.”
V.2-9 Nabal was very rich, but hot-tempered and proud. His wife was beautiful and wise.
V.10-13 David sends some of his young men to ask food from Nabal, in return for the protection he had given to Nabal’s shepherds. Nabal rudely refuses, and David, in anger, sets out for revenge.
V.14-17 Some of the young men of Nabal see that there is trouble on the way, and so they tell Abigail what has happened.
V.18-31 The wisdom of this woman. She hurries to meet David with a great gift and takes a place of being the guilty one.
V.31 She reminds him that if he sheds blood in his anger, he will live to regret it. Every picture of our Lord Jesus has failure somewhere, for the Lord Jesus never acted foolishly but He will come forth from heaven to bring punishment on those who have rejected Him. And who will be brought into blessing? Those who have admitted their guilt and have received His mercy.
V.32-35 David at once sees the wisdom of this woman’s pleadings and he thanks her for it, and turns away from his purposes.
V.36-44 Nabal gets his punishment. What a wonderful picture of the love and grace of our Lord Jesus that would not only spare us from punishment, but bring us into the nearest place of love and blessing.