When Davidheardthat Nabalwas dead,he said,"Blessedbe the LORD,whohas pleadedthe causeof my reproachfrom the handof Nabaland has keptbackHis servantfrom evil.The LORDhas also returnedthe evildoingof Nabalon his own head."Then Davidsenta proposalto Abigail,to takeher as his wife.
Davidsaidto him, "Your bloodis on your head,for your mouthhas testifiedagainst you, saying,'I have killedthe LORD'Sanointed.'"
The kingalso saidto Shimei,"You knowallthe evilwhichyou acknowledgein your heart,whichyou didto my fatherDavid;therefore the LORDshall returnyour evilon your own head.
So they hangedHamanon the gallowswhichhe had preparedfor Mordecai,and the king'sangersubsided.
But when it cameto the king'sattention,he commandedby letterthat his wickedschemewhichhe had devisedagainstthe Jews,should returnon his own headand that he and his sonsshould be hangedon the gallows.
His mischiefwill returnupon his own head,And his violencewill descendupon his own pate.
You have rebukedthe nations,You have destroyedthe wicked;You have blottedout their nameforeverand ever.
He who findsa wifefindsa goodthingAnd obtainsfavorfrom the LORD.
Houseand wealthare an inheritancefrom fathers,But a prudentwifeis from the LORD.
For the LORDwill pleadtheir caseAnd takethe lifeof those who robthem.
An excellentwife,whocan find?For her worthis farabovejewels.
Charmis deceitfuland beautyis vain,[But] a womanwho fearsthe LORD,she shall be praised.
"We have a littlesister,And she hasnobreasts;Whatshall we dofor our sisterOn the daywhenshe is spokenfor?
I will bearthe indignationof the LORDBecauseI have sinnedagainst Him, UntilHe pleadsmy caseand executesjusticefor me. He will bringme out to the light,[And] I will seeHis righteousness.
Nowwe prayto Godthat you donowrong;not that we ourselvesmay appearapproved,but that you may dowhat is right,eventhoughwe may appearunapproved.
Nowmay the Godof peaceHimselfsanctifyyou entirely;and may your spiritand souland bodybe preservedcomplete,without blameat the comingof our LordJesusChrist.
The Lordwill rescueme from everyevildeed,and will bring me safelyto His heavenlykingdom;to Him [be] the gloryforeverand ever.Amen.
"That the leadersledin Israel,That the peoplevolunteered,Blessthe LORD!
"The LORDtherefore be judgeand decidebetweenyou and me; and may He seeand pleadmy causeand deliverme from your hand."
"Nowtherefore, my lord,as the LORDlives,and as your soullives,sincethe LORDhas restrainedyou from sheddingblood,and from avengingyourself by your own hand,nowthen let your enemiesand those who seekevilagainstmy lord,be as Nabal.
Then Davidsaidto Abigail,"Blessedbe the LORDGodof Israel,whosentyou thisdayto meetme,
"Nevertheless,as the LORDGodof Israellives,whohas restrainedme from harmingyou, unlessyou had comequicklyto meetme, surelythere would not have been leftto Nabaluntilthe morninglight[as much as] one male."
When the servantsof Davidcameto Abigailat Carmel,they spoketo her, saying,"Davidhas sentus to you to takeyou as his wife."
Davidalso said,"As the LORDlives,surelythe LORDwill strikehim, orhis daywill comethat he dies,orhe will godowninto battleand perish.
