²⁴ She knelt at his feet and said, “The guilt is mine, my lord, but please let your servant speak to you directly. Listen to the words of your servant. ²⁵ My lord should pay no attention to this worthless fool Nabal, for he lives up to his name:^[a] His name means ‘stupid,’ and stupidity is all he knows.^[b] I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men whom you sent. ²⁶ Now my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and as you yourself live—it is the Lord who kept you from participating in bloodshed and avenging yourself^(A) by your own hand—may your enemies and those who intend to harm my lord be like Nabal.^{(B) 27} Let this gift^(C) your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord. ²⁸ Please forgive your servant’s offense,^(D) for the Lord is certain to make a lasting dynasty for my lord^(E) because he fights the Lord’s battles.^(F) Throughout your life, may evil^[c] not be found in you.^(G)

²⁹ “Someone is pursuing you and intends to take your life. My lord’s life is tucked safely in the place^[d] where the Lord your God protects the living, but he is flinging away your enemies’ lives like stones from a sling.^{(H) 30} When the Lord does for my lord all the good he promised you and appoints you ruler over Israel,^{(I) 31} there will not be remorse or a troubled conscience for my lord because of needless bloodshed or my lord’s revenge. And when the Lord does good things for my lord, may you remember me your servant.”^(J)

³² Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,^(K) who sent you to meet me today! ³³ May your discernment be blessed, and may you be blessed. Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand.^(L)