Lots of lessons to be learned in this passage.
Lessons about forgiving not only big sins, but also slights. (It’s amazing to me that David was willing to spare Saul who was trying to kill him, but was unwilling to show any mercy to man who slighted him).
Lessons about how to deal with people’s anger. (Abigail’s soft words and tact — did you notice also how she even used the imagery of a sling as she made her appeal to David?)
But the thing that strikes me is the difference between David and Nabal.
When Nabal (whose name actually means “fool”) refused David’s request for provisions for a feast in return for the protection David had provided for his men, his servants apparently tried to change his mind.
But Nabal refused to listen. So they went to Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying,
Disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him. (1 Samuel 25:17)
When Abigail heard this, she told them to prepare provisions for David and his men, and she went out to meet David.
And when she made her plea, to David’s credit, he listened. He let go of his anger, and said to Abigail,
Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request. (35)
There are of course, many differences between a wise person and a fool. But one main difference is that a wise person listens. A fool doesn’t.
In particular, a wise person listens to correction. A fool doesn’t, and suffers for it.
David always listened to correction in his life, and God blessed him for it. Nabal didn’t, and he suffered as a result.
What kind of person are you?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 