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the antiquities of the jews-1-第106章

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of covetousness; nor because they were in want; nor because they
were in the wilderness; and so could not easily be discovered;
but to esteem freedom from injustice above all other motives; and
to look upon the touching of what belonged to another man as a
horrible crime; and contrary to the will of God。 These were the
instructions he gave; thinking that the favors he granted this
man were granted to a good man; and one that deserved to have
such care taken of his affairs。 This man was Nabal; for that was
his name; … a harsh man; and of a very wicked life; being like a
cynic in the course of his behavior; but still had obtained for
his wife a woman of a good character; wise and handsome。 To this
Nabal; therefore; David sent ten men of his attendants at the
time when he sheared his sheep; and by them saluted him; and also
wished he might do what he now did for many years to come; but
desired him to make him a present of what he was able to give
him; since he had; to be sure; learned from his shepherds that we
had done them no injury; but had been their guardians a long time
together; while we continued in the wilderness; and he assured
him he should never repent of giving any thing to David。 When the
messengers had carried this message to Nabal; he accosted them
after an inhuman and rough manner; for he asked them who David
was? and when he heard that he was the son of Jesse; he said;
〃Now is the time that fugitives grow insolent; and make a figure;
and leave their masters。〃 When they told David this; he was
wroth; and commanded four hundred armed men to follow him; and
left two hundred to take care of the stuff; (for he had already
six hundred; (24)) and went against Nabal: he also swore that he
would that night utterly destroy the whole house and possessions
of Nabal; for that he was grieved; not only that he had proved
ungrateful to them; without making any return for the humanity
they had shown him; but that he had also reproached them; and
used ill language to them; when he had received no cause of
disgust from them。

7。 Hereupon one of those that kept the flocks of Nabal; said to
his mistress; Nabal's wife; that when David sent to her husband
he had received no civil answer at all from him; but that her
husband had moreover added very reproachful language; while yet
David had taken extraordinary care to keep his flocks from harm;
and that what had passed would prove very pernicious to his
master。 When the servant had said this; Abigail; for that was his
wife's name; saddled her asses; and loaded them with all sorts of
presents; and; without telling her husband any thing of what she
was about; (for he was not sensible on account of his
drunkenness;) she went to David。 She was then met by David as she
was descending a hill; who was coming against Nabal with four
hundred men。 When the woman saw David; she leaped down from her
ass; and fell on her face; and bowed down to the ground; and
entreated him not to bear in mind the words of Nabal; since he
knew that he resembled his name。 Now Nabal; in the Hebrew tongue;
signifies folly。 So she made her apology; that she did not see
the messengers whom he sent。 〃Forgive me; therefore;〃 said she;
〃and thank God; who hath hindered thee from shedding human blood;
for so long as thou keepest thyself innocent; he will avenge thee
of wicked men; (25) for what miseries await Nabal; they will fall
upon the heads of thine enemies。 Be thou gracious to me; and
think me so far worthy as to accept of these presents from me;
and; out of regard to me; remit that wrath and that anger which
thou hast against my husband and his house; for mildness and
humanity become thee; especially as thou art to be our king。〃
Accordingly; David accepted her presents; and said; 〃Nay; but; O
woman; it was no other than God's mercy which brought thee to us
today; for; otherwise; thou hadst never seen another day; I
having sworn to destroy Nabal's house this very night; and to
leave alive not one of you who belonged to a man that was wicked
and ungrateful to me and my companions; but now hast thou
prevented me; and seasonably mollified my anger; as being thyself
under the care of God's providence: but as for Nabal; although
for thy sake he now escape punishment; he will not always avoid
justice; for his evil conduct; on some other occasion; will be
his ruin。〃

8。 When David had said this; he dismissed the woman。 But when she
came home and found her husband feasting with a great company;
and oppressed with wine; she said nothing to him then about what
had happened; but on the next day; when he was sober; she told
him all the particulars; and made his whole body to appear like
that of a dead man by her words; and by that grief which arose
from them; so Nabal survived ten days; and no more; and then
died。 And when David heard of his death; he said that God had
justly avenged him of this man; for that Nabal had died by his
own wickedness; and had suffered punishment on his account; while
he had kept his own hands clean。 At which time he understood that
the wicked are prosecuted by God; that he does not overlook any
man; but bestows on the good what is suitable to them; and
inflicts a deserved punishment on the wicked。 So he sent to
Nabal's wife; and invited her to come to him; to live with him;
and to be his wife。 Whereupon she replied to those that came;
that she was not worthy to touch his feet; however; she came;
with all her servants; and became his wife; having received that
honor on account of her wise and righteous course of life。 She
also obtained the same honor partly on account of her beauty。 Now
David had a wife before; whom he married from the city Abesar;
for as to Michal; the daughter of king Saul; who had been David's
wife; her father had given her in marriage to Phalti; the son of
Laish; who was of the city of Gallim。

9。 After this came certain of the Ziphites; and told Saul that
David was come again into their country; and if he would afford
them his assistance; they could catch him。 So he came to them
with three thousand armed men; and upon the approach of night; he
pitched his camp at a certain place called Hachilah。 But when
David heard that Saul was coming against him; he sent spies; and
bid them let him know to what place of the country Saul was
already come; and when they told him that he was at Hachilah; he
concealed his going away from his companions; and came to Saul's
camp; having taken with him Abishai; his sister Zeruiah's son;
and Ahimelech the Hittite。 Now Saul was asleep; and the armed
men; with Abner their commander; lay round about him in a circle。
Hereupon David entered into the king's tent; but he did neither
kill Saul; though he knew where he lay; by the spear that was
stuck down by him; nor did he give leave to Abishai; who would
have killed him; and was earnestly bent upon it so to do; for he
said it was a horrid crime to kill one that was ordained king by
God; although he was a wicked man; for that he who gave him the
dominion would in time inflict punishment upon him。 So he
restrained his eagerness; but that it might appear to have been
in his power to have killed him wh
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