[The material in this section with a lower-contrast background has not yet been proofread. More proofreading may be done later as time allows.]

1–3. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) yì (one) jiā (household) miàn·lín (faced · {were near to}) miè·jué ({being extinguished} · {being cut off}) de (’s) wēi·jī (danger · occasion) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Guān·yú (relating · to) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) jié·chū (outstanding · out) de (’s) nǚ·zǐ (female · person) , wǒmen ([we]) huì (will) xiān (first) liǎo·jiě (completely · solve)   (→ [understand]) shénme ([what]) ?

Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) yǎn·qián (eyes · before) de (’s) nián·qīng·rén (years · light · person) yǎn·zhōng (eyes · within) chōng·mǎn ({were filled} · {full with}) kǒngjù (fearing) . Tā (he) zhī·suǒ·yǐ (it · {that which} · {is the reason}) zhè·me (this · [so]) hài·pà ({was feeling} · {being afraid}) , shì (was) yīn·wei (because · for) dà·huò (great · disaster) ‐ lín·tóu ({was near} · heads) le ([indicates a change]) , yuē (approximately) yǒu (had) sì·bǎi (four · hundred) ge ([mw]) zhàn·shì (war · {trained persons}) zhèng ({just then}) chòng·zhe (face- · -ing) tāmen ([them]) ér (thus) lái ({were coming}) , shì (vowed) yào (must) shā·sǐ (kill · dead) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) de (’s) zhàngfu (husband) Nábā (Nabal) jiā (family) li (inside) de (’s) suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [there]} · had) nán·dīng (male · {population members}) . Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) ne?

² Zhè (this) dōu (all) shì (was) Nábā (Nabal) rě (incited) de (’s) huò (disaster) . Nábā (Nabal) yí·xiàng (one · {all along}) cūlǔ ({was crude} · {was rude}) ào·màn ({was haughty} · {was supercilious}) , wú·qíng ({was not having} · feeling) ‐ wú·yì ({was not having} · justice) . Zhèi (this) cì (time) , tā (he) wǔ·rǔ·le (insulted · disgraced · [to completion]) yí (one) ge ([mw]) rén (person) , zhè (this) rén (person) shì (was) ge ([mw]) shǒu·lǐng (leader · leading) , shēn·shòu (deeply · received) xià·shǔ ({under [him]} · {were subordinate to [him]} [persons]) ài·dài (loving · respecting) , huī·xià (commanding · under) de (’s) zhàn·shì (war · {trained persons}) gègè ([mw] · [mw])   (→ [every one]) zhōng·xīn (loyal·-hearted) ‐ gěnggěng (upright) , xùn·liàn (trained · drilled) ‐ yǒu·sù (having · elements) . Lái (came) jiàn ({to see}) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) de (’s) shì (was) ge ([mw]) wèi (for) Nábā (Nabal) gōng·zuò (work · did) de (’s) nián·qīng·rén (years · light · person) , yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) shì (was) ge ([mw]) mù·yáng·rén (herded · sheep · person) , tā (he) xiāng·xìn ([it] · believed) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) kě·yǐ (could · [suf]) xiǎng·dào (think · {arriving at}) jiě·jiù (solving · saving) de (’s) fāng·fǎ (direction · method) . Rán’ér (but) , qūqū (little) yí (one) ge ([mw]) nǚ·zǐ (female · person) , zěn·me (how · [so]) dǐdǎng ({would resist} · {would ward off}) yì (one) zhī ([mw]) jūn·duì ({armed forces} · group) ne?

³ Zài (at) huí·dá ({[in] return} · answering) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) wèn·tí (asking · subject)   (→ [question]) zhī·qián (it · before) , ràng (let) wǒmen ([us]) xiān (first) liǎo·jiě (completely · solve)   (→ [understand]) yí·xià (one · {going down})   (→ one · [time]) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) jié·chū (outstanding · out) de (’s) nǚ·zǐ (female · person) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) . Tā (she) shì (was) shéi (whom) ? Shì (was) ge ([mw]) zěn·yàng (what · kind) de (’s) rén (person) ? Zhèi (this) cì (time’s) wēi·jī (danger · occasion) shì (was) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) yǐn·fā ({drawn out} · {to issue forth}) de (’s) ? Wǒmen ([we]) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiào·fǎ (imitate · {take as a model}) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) jiān·dìng (firm · set) de (’s) nǚ·zǐ (female · person) ?

⁴ Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) hé (and) Nábā (Nabal) yì·diǎnr (one · bit) yě (even) bù (not) xiāng·pèi ({each other} · {did match}) . Nábā (Nabal) suǒ ({she whom [he]}) qǔ ({had taken as wife}) de (’s) , shì (was) ge ([mw]) bù·kě·duō·dé (not · can · many · get) de (’s) xián·nèi·zhù (worthy · wife · helping) ; Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) suǒ ({he whom [she]}) jià ({had become wife to}) de (’s) , què·shì (truly · was) ge ([mw]) zāo·gāo ({was messed up} · cake) tòu·dǐng (penetrating · extremely) de (’s) zhàngfu (husband) . Nábā (Nabal) hěn (very) yǒu·qián ({was having} · money) , zì·yǐ·wéi (self · took · as) liǎo·bu·qǐ ({was understood} · not · up)   (→ [was extraordinary]) , dàn (but) qí·tā (him · besides’) rén (people) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) kàn ({looked at}) tā (him) ne? Zài (in) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) li (inside) , zài (further) yě (even) zhǎo ({looking for}) bu (not) dào ({do arrive at}) bǐ ({compared to}) “Nábā (Nabal) ” zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) chēng·hu (naming · calling) gèng (more) shòu (receives) rén (people) bǐ·shì (low · regarding) de (’s) míng·zi (name · word) le ([to completion]) . Zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) míng·zi (name · word) de (’s) yì·si (meaning · thought) shì (is) “ yú·wàng (stupid · presumptuous) ” huò (or) “ yú·mèi (foolish · ignorant) ”. Zhè (this) shì (was) tā (he) chū·shēng ({came out} · {was born}) shí (time) fù·mǔ (father · mother) wèi (for) tā (him) qǔ (took) de (’s) míng·zi (name · word) ? Hái·shi ([or] · was) hòu·lái (afterwards · {came to be}) bié·ren (other · people) gěi (gave) tā (him) qǐ ({raising of}) de (’s) chuò·hào ([nickname] · {assumed name}) ? Wú·lùn ({not having} · {discussing of})   (→ [no matter]) shì (was) nǎ (which) yí (one) yàng (pattern) , Nábā (Nabal) què·shí (certainly · solidly) rén·rú·qí·míng (person · {was like} · his · name) . Tā (he) shì (was) ge ([mw]) jiǔ·tú ({alcoholic drink} · disciple) hé (and) è·bà (wicked · bully) , “ wéi·rén ({acting as} · person) cū·bào ({was rough} · {was violent}) , zuò’·è (doing · evil) ‐ duō·duān ([in] many · aspects) ”. Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) rén·men (people · [pl]) jì (both) hài·pà (felt · {were afraid of}) tā (him) , yòu (also) tǎo·yàn (incurred · {being fed up with}) tā (him) . (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:2, 3, 17, 21, 25)

5, 6. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Nǐ (you) xīn·shǎng (joyfully · admire) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) de (’s) něi·xiē (which · few) měi·hǎo (beautiful · good) tè·zhì (special · qualities) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) zěn·huì (why · would) jià·gěi ({become a wife to} · {to be given to}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) wú·lài·hàn (no · {relying on} · man) ?

⁵ Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) què (however) gēn (with) Nábā (Nabal) wánquán (completely) bù·tóng (not · {was the same}) . “Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) ” zhè (this) míng·zi (name · word) de (’s) yì·si (meaning · thought) shì (is) “Wǒ de ([my]) Fù·qin (father · relative) Yǐ·jing (already · {has gone through}) Shǐ (making) Zìjǐ (himself) Xǐlè (joyful) ”. Xǔ·duō (numbers · many) zuò (are) fù·qin (father · relative) de (’s) , dōu (even) huì (will) yīn·wei (because · for) shēng·le ({had given life to} · [to completion]) ge ([mw]) piàoliang ([good-looking]) de (’s) nǚ’·ér (female · child) ér (thus) zì·háo (self · {be bold & unconstrained})   (→ [be proud of it]) , dàn (but) yǒu (having) zhì·huì (wisdom · intelligence) de (’s) fù·qin (father · relative) què (however) huì (will) yīn (because) háizi (child) yǒu (has) nèi·zài (inside · existing) měi (beauty) ér (thus) gèng·jiā (more · increasedly) huān·xǐ ({be joyful} · {be happy}) . Hěn (very) duō (many) wài·mào (outside · appearance) jùn·měi ({is pretty/handsome} · {is beautiful}) de (’s) rén (people) dōu (even) kàn·bu·chū (see · not · out) zìjǐ (selves) xūyào (need) péiyǎng ({to cultivate}) nèi·zài (inside · existing) měi (beauty) , bǐ·rú ({compared to} · like) dòng·xī (penetratingly · knowing) shì·lǐ (matters · reason) , zhì·huì (wisdom · intelligence) , yǒng·qì (brave · spirit) hé (and) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) děng (etc.) měi·dé (good · virtues) , dàn (but) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) què (however) yǔ·zhòng·bù·tóng (with · crowd · not · {was the same}) , Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (says) tā (she) bú·dàn (not · only) wài·mào (outside · appearance) jùn·měi ({was pretty} · {was beautiful}) , yě (also) dòng·xī (penetratingly · {was knowing}) shì·lǐ (matters · reason) , xíng·shì ({was doing} · things) míng·zhì ({with clarity} · wisely) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:3.)

⁶ Jīn·tiān (present · [day]) , yǒu·xiē (have · some) rén (people) kě·néng (may · {be able})   (→ [maybe]) bù (not) míng·bai ({to understand} · clearly) , zhè·me (this · [so]) cōng·huì (intelligent · bright) de (’s) nián·qīng (years · light) nǚ·zǐ (female · person) , zěn·huì (why · would) jià·gěi ({become a wife to} · {be given to}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) wú·lài·hàn (no · {relying on} · man) ne? Yào (must) zhīdào ([know]) zài (in) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures’)   (→ [the Bible’s]) shí·dài (time · era) , bù·shǎo (not · few) hūnyīn (marriages) dōu (even) shì (were) yóu (by) fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) ān·pái (placed · arranged) de (’s) , huò (or) zhì·shǎo (most · little)   (→ [at least]) yào (needed) dé·dào ({to get} · {arriving at}) fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) de (’) tóng·yì (same · thinking)   (→ [consent]) . Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) de (’s) shuāng·qīn (both · parents) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) zàn·tóng (supported · {in common}) zhèi (this) zhuāng ([mw]) hūnyīn (marriage) ? Shì (was) yīn·wei (because · for) Nábā (Nabal) yǒu·cái (had · wealth) ‐ yǒu·shì (had · power) ma? Hái·shi ([or] · {was [it]}) shēng·huó (life · living) suǒ ({that which [it]}) pò ({was forcing}) ? Bù·guǎn (not · {bothering about}) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) , Nábā (Nabal) suī·rán (although · -ly) fù·yǒu ({was wealthy} · {was having}) , què (but) bú (not) shì (was) ge ([mw]) hǎo (good) zhàngfu (husband) .

7. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) xiǎng (want) jiào·dǎo ({to teach} · {to guide}) ér·nǚ (sons · daughters) duì (towards) hūnyīn (marriage) yǒu ({to have}) zhèng·què (proper · sound) de (’s) kàn·fǎ ({looking at} · way) , jiù (exactly) yào (must) bìmiǎn (avoid) zěn·me (how · [so]) zuò (doing) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) jué·xīn ({had determined} · heart) zěn·me (how · [so]) zuò ({to do}) ?

⁷ Míng·zhì ({having clarity} · wise) de (’s) fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) huì (will) yòng·xīn (use · hearts) jiào·dǎo ({to teach} · {to guide}) ér·nǚ (sons · daughters) duì (towards) hūnyīn (marriage) yǒu ({to have}) zhèng·què (proper · sound) de (’s) kàn·fǎ ({looking at} · way) . Tāmen ([they]) bú·huì (not · will) sǒng·yǒng ({being alarmed} · incite) ér·nǚ (sons · daughters) zhǎo ({to look for}) ge ([mw]) fù·yǒu ({is wealthy} · {is having}) de (’s) duì·xiàng ({is directed at} · image)   (→ [target]) , yě (also) bú·huì (not · will) zài (at) ér·nǚ (sons · daughters) nián·jì (years · ages) qīngqīng (light) , hái (still) chéng·dān ({would bear} · {would take on}) bù·liǎo (not · finishing) chéng·nián·rén ({fully grown} · years · persons) de (’) zé·rèn (responsibilities · {to be assumed}) shí (time) , jiù (then) yào (require) tāmen ([them]) gǎn·kuài (rushing · quickly) jié·hūn ({to form} · marriage) . (Gēlínduō Qiánshū ([1 Corinthians]) 7:36) Bù·guǎn (not · {bothering about}) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) , zhèi·xiē (these · few) dōu (all) bú (not) shì (were) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) xiàn·zài (present · at) yào (needed) kǎo·lǜ ({to test} · {to consider}) de (’s) wèn·tí (asking · subjects)   (→ [questions]) , yīn·wei (because · for) tā (she) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) jià·gěi ({becoming a wife to} · {being given to}) Nábā (Nabal) le ([to completion]) . Gēn (with) Nábā (Nabal) zài (in) yì·qǐ (one · group) de (’s) rì·zi (days · [suf]) suī·rán (although · -ly) bù (not) hǎo·guò (good · {were to pass}) , dàn (but) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) réng·rán (still · -ly) jìn ({expended to the limit}) jǐ (self) suǒ·néng ({that which [she]} · {was able}) , zuò ({to be}) ge ([mw]) hǎo (good) qī·zi (wife · [suf]) .

8. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Nábā (Nabal) wǔ·rǔ·le (insulted · disgraced · [to completion]) shéi (whom) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) tā (he) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò (doing) hěn (very) yú·chǔn ({was foolish} · {was stupid}) ?

⁸ Zhèi (this) cì (time) , Nábā (Nabal) shǐ ({had caused}) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) xiàn·yú ({to fall} · into) yí (one) ge ([mw]) fēi·cháng (un·usually) è·liè (bad · inferior) de (’s) chǔ·jìng ({to be situated in} · situation) . Yīn·wei (because · for) Nábā (Nabal) wǔ·rǔ (insulted · disgraced) de (’s) bú (not) shì (was) ge ([mw]) pǔ·tōng·rén (common · ordinary · person) , ér ({but [rather]}) shì (was) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) jiǎnxuǎn ({had chosen}) de (’s) yí (one) wèi ([mw for persons]) zhōng·pú (loyal · servant) , shì (was) yóu (by) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) gào·lì ([anointed] · {set up}) , yào (must) jiē·tì ({take hold of [next from]} · replace) Sǎoluó (Saul) zuò·wáng ({to be} · king) de (’s) rén (person) , zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) rén (person) jiù·shì (exactly · was) Dàwèi (David) . (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 16:1, 2, 11–13) Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) , Dàwèi (David) gēn (with) shǒu·xià (hand · under) 600 ge ([mw]) zhōng·xīn (loyal·-hearted) de (’s) zhàn·shì (war · {trained persons}) cáng·shēn ({were hiding} · [selves in]) kuàng·yě (vast · wilderness) , duǒ·bì ({to avoid} · {to evade}) dù·huǒ·zhōng·shāo ({being jealous} · fire · within · burning) de (’s) Sǎoluó (Saul) Wáng (King) de (’s) zhuī·shā (chasing · {to kill}) .

9, 10. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Dàwèi (David) hé (and) zhuī·suí ({were going after} · {were following}) tā (him) de (’s) rén (persons) zài (in) zěn·yàng (what · kind) de (’s) huán·jìng (surrounding · situation) xia (under) zhēngzhá ({were struggling}) qiú ({were striving for}) cún (existing) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Nábā (Nabal) běn·gāi (originally · {should have}) gǎn·xiè (felt · {to thank}) tāmen ([them]) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) běn (this) zhāng (chapter) dì‐10 ([10^th]) duàn (paragraph) de (’s) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) .)

⁹ Nábā (Nabal) zhù (resided) zài (in) Mǎ’ān (Maon) , zài (at) fùjìn (nearby) de (’s) Jiāmì (Carmel) gōng·zuò (work · did) .* Kàn·lái ({looking at} · {coming to be}) tā (he) zài (at) Jiāmì (Carmel) yě (also) yōngyǒu (possessed) tǔ·dì (soil · land) , hái (also) yǎng·le ({was raising} · [to completion]) sān·qiān (three · thousand) zhī ([mw]) mián·yáng ({silk floss} · sheep)   (→ [sheep]) . Zhè (this) yí·dài (one · belt) de (’s) chéng·zhèn (cities · towns) zuò·luò ({were seated} · {were settled}) zài (at) qīng·cuì ({natural green} · {emerald green}) de (’s) gāo·dì (high·lands) shang (upon) , nà·li (that · inside)   (→ [there]) shì (were) Nábā (Nabal) fàng·yáng ({to put out to pasture} · sheep) de (’s) hǎo (good) dìfang (places) . Zhōu·wéi ({all around} · surrounding) shì (was) yì·xiē (one · {amount of}) réng (still) wèi ({not yet}) kāi·kěn ({opened up} · cultivated) de (’s) tǔ·dì (soil · land) . Nán·miàn (south · face) shì (was) liáo·kuò (distant · vast) de (’s) Pàlán (Paran) kuàng·yě (vast · wilderness) , dōng·miàn (east · face) yǒu (had) tōng·wǎng (passable · towards) Yán (Salt) Hǎi (Sea) ( Sǐ (Dead) Hǎi (Sea) ) de (’s) lù (road) , yán·lù (along · road) shì (was) miǎowúrénjì ({[even a] tiny [amount]} · without · human · traces) de (’s) huāng·dì (waste·lands) , fàng·yǎn ({letting roam freely} · eyes) jìn ({to the limit}) shì (were) xī·gǔ ({small stream} · valleys) hé (and) dòngxué (caves) . Dàwèi (David) hé (and) zhuī·suí ({were going after} · {were following}) tā (him) de (’s) rén (persons) jiù (exactly) zài (in) zhè (this) yí·dài (one · belt) zhēngzhá ({were struggling}) qiú ({were striving for}) cún (existing) , yǐ (using) dǎ·liè (doing · hunting) wéi·shēng ({to serve as} · living) , shēng·huó (life · living) xiǎng·bì (think · certainly) hěn (very) jiān·kǔ ({was difficult} · {was bitter}) . Tāmen ([they]) yě (also) chángcháng (often) pèng·jian ({bumped into} · saw) cái·zhu (wealth · owner) Nábā (Nabal) suǒ ({those whom [he]}) gùyòng (employed) de (’s) nián·qīng (years · light) mù·rén (herding · persons) .

¹⁰ Nèi·xiē (that · {number of}) chī·kǔ (ate · bitterness) ‐ nài·láo (bore · labour) de (’s) zhàn·shì (war · {trained persons}) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) duì·dài ({did treat} · {did deal with}) Nábā (Nabal) shǒu·xià (hand · under) de (’s) mù·yáng·rén (herded · sheep · persons) ne? Duì (to) tāmen ([them]) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , yào (wanting) zhuā ({to grab}) yì (one) ‐ liǎng (two) zhī ([mw]) mián·yáng ({silk floss} · sheep)   (→ [sheep]) lái ({to come}) chī ({to eat}) kě (could) shuō (say) shì (was) yì·rú·fǎn·zhǎng (easy · as · {turning over} · palm) , suí·shí ({going along with} · time)   (→ [anytime]) dōu (even) néng ({were able}) zuò·dào ({to do} · {arriving at}) de (’s) shì (thing) , dàn (but) tāmen ([they]) cóng (ever) méi·yǒu (not · had) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò (done) . Xiāng·fǎn (mutually · contrary) , tāmen ([they]) hǎo·xiàng ([very] · like) wéi·qiáng (surrounding · wall) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way])   (→ [the same]) bǎohù (protected) Nábā (Nabal) de (’s) yáng·qún (sheep · flocks) hé (and) pú·rén (servant · persons) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:15, 16.) Mù·rén (herding · persons) hé (and) mián·yáng ({silk floss} · sheep)   (→ [sheep]) yào (needed) miànduì ({to face}) hěn (very) duō (many) wēixiǎn (dangers) , bǐ·rú ({compared to} · like) yě·shòu (wild · beasts) de (’) xí·jī ({making surprise attacks} · assaulting) . Lìng·wài (separately · outside) , yóu·yú ({because of} · by) nèi·ge (that · [mw]) dìfang (place) hěn (very) jiē·jìn (approaching · {to be close to}) Yǐsèliè (Israel’s) nán·bù (south · part) de (’s) biān·jiè (border · boundary) , jìng·wài (border · outside) de (’s) fěi·bāng (bandit · gangs) hé (and) dào·zéi (robbers · thieves) yě (also) chángcháng (often) qián·lái (forward · came) qiǎng·lüè ({to loot} · {to plunder}) .*

11, 12. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Dàwèi (David) chuándá (conveyed) gěi ({to give to}) Nábā (Nabal) de (’s) huà (words) , zěn·yàng (what · [way]) biǎo·míng (showed · clearly) tā (he) zūn·zhòng (respected · {assigned weightiness to}) bié·ren (other · people) , shuō·huà (speaking · words) jī·qiǎo ({was flexible} · {was skillful}) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Nábā (Nabal) de (’s) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shì (was) bú·duì (not · right) de (’s) ?

¹¹ Zài (in) kuàng·yě (vast · wilderness) , yào (needing) gōng·yìng ({to supply} · {to grant}) shí·wù (food · matter) gěi ({to give to}) nà·me (that · [so]) duō (many) zhàn·shì (war · {trained persons}) kěn·dìng (agree · {as certain}) bù (not) róng·yì ({was permitting} · easiness)   (→ [was easy]) . Yǒu (had) yì (one) tiān ([day]) , Dàwèi (David) pài·le (sent · [to completion]) shí (ten) ge ([mw]) shǐ·zhě (messenger · persons) qù ({to go}) xiàng (to) Nábā (Nabal) qiú·zhù ({to seek} · help) . Dàwèi (David) zài (at) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) shíhou (time) xíng·dòng (doing · moving) shì (was) hěn (very) míng·zhì ({was having clarity} · {was wise}) de (’s) . Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) shì (was) jiǎn ({cutting (with scissors)}) yáng·máo (sheep · wool) de (’s) jì·jié (season · section) , rén·men (people · [pl]) zài (at) zhè (this) shí (time) wǎngwǎng ([often]) bǐjiào (comparatively) kāngkǎi ({were generous}) , chángcháng (often) dà (greatly) yàn ({would entertain at a banquet}) qīn·péng (relatives · friends) . Dàwèi (David) yòng (used) dé·tǐ ({were fitting} · system) de (’s) yán·cí (speech · words) hé (and) chēng·hu (naming · calling) , shèn·zhì (greatly · {to the point of}) zì·chēng (self · calling) “nǐ de ([your]) érzi (son) Dàwèi (David) ”, yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) shì (was) yào (wanting) biǎo·míng ({to show} · clearly) zìjǐ (self) zūnjìng (respected) Nábā (Nabal) , shì (viewed) tā (him) wéi (as) zhǎng·bèi (elder · {person of that kind}) . Nábā (Nabal) tīng·le ({had heard} · [to completion]) shǐ·zhě (messenger · persons) suǒ ({those which [they]}) chuándá ({had conveyed}) de (’s) huà (words) , yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ne? (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:5–8)

¹² Nábā (Nabal) dà·fā (greatly · {sent out}) ‐ léi·tíng (thunder · thunderbolts) , “ gāo·shēng ({[in a] high [volume]} · voice) rǔ·mà (insulted · {verbally abused}) tāmen ([them]) ”. Hái (still) jì·de (remember · getting) wén·zhāng (writing · chapter) qǐ·tóu (beginning · top) tí·dào (raised · {arriving at})   (→ [mentioned]) de (’s) nèi·ge (that · [mw]) nián·qīng·rén (years · light · person) ma? Tā (he) bǎ (held) shì·qing (matter · situation) yì·wǔ (one · five) ‐ yì·shí (one · ten)   (→ [systematically & in full detail]) de (-ly) gàosu ({to tell}) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) . Nábā (Nabal’s) wéi·rén ({acting as} · person) lìnsè ({was stingy}) , tā (he) hěn (very) bù (not) gāo·xìng ({[with] high} · enthusiasm) de (-ly) shuō (said) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) bǐng ({round flat cakes}) , shuǐ (water) hé (and) yáng·ròu (sheep · meat) bù·néng (not · could) suí·biàn ({complying with} · convenience)   (→ [casually]) gěi (give) rén (people) . Nábā (Nabal) gēnběn ({[at] root}) bù (not) bǎ ({did hold}) Dàwèi (David) fàng ({to put}) zài (in) yǎn (eyes) li (inside) , jī·fěng (ridiculed · satirized) tā (he) zhǐ·shì (only · was) ge ([mw]) bèi·pàn ({[had turned] back [on]} · {had betrayed}) zhǔ·rén (master · person) ér (and) chū·táo ({went out} · {to flee}) de (’s) pú·rén (servant · person) . Nábā (Nabal) duì (towards) Dàwèi (David) de (’s) kàn·fǎ ({looking at} · way) , gēn (with) tòng·hèn (painfully · hated) Dàwèi (David) de (’s) Sǎoluó (Saul) hěn (very) xiāng·sì (mutually · {were similar}) , tāmen ([they]) dōu ({each one}) méi·yǒu (not · {did have}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) guān·diǎn (view·point) . Shàng·dì (above’s · God) shēn (deeply) ài (loved) Dàwèi (David) , zài (in) tā (his) yǎn·zhōng (eyes · within) , Dàwèi (David) bú (not) shì (was) yí (one) ge ([mw]) bèi·pàn ({[had turned] back [on]} · {had betrayed}) zhǔ·rén (master · person) de (’s) nú·pú (slave · servant) , ér ({but [rather]}) shì (was) Yǐsèliè (Israel) de (’s) wèi·lái ({not yet} · come) jūn·wáng (monarch · king) . (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:10, 11, 14)

13. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Qǐ·chū (rising · beginning)   (→ [at first]) , Dàwèi (David) duì (towards) Nábā (Nabal) de (’s) wǔ·rǔ (insulting · disgracing) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Gēn·jù (roots · {according to}) Yǎgè·shū (James · book) 1:20 de (’s) yuán·zé (original · rule)   (→ [principle]) , wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) Dàwèi (David) de (’s) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) shì (was) bú·duì (not · right) de (’s) ?

¹³ Shǐ·zhě (messenger · persons) bǎ (held) Nábā (Nabal) de (’s) huà (words) zhuǎn·gào ({to pass on} · {to tell}) Dàwèi (David) , Dàwèi (David) tīng·le (heard · [to completion]) bó·rán (vigourous·ly) dà·nù (greatly · {became angry}) , duì (to) shǒu·xià (hand · under) de (’s) zhàn·shì (war · {trained persons}) shuō (said) : “Nǐ·men (you · [pl]) quán·dōu (all · even) pèi·shang ({wear (at the waist)} · upon) jiàn (sword) !” Tā (he) zìjǐ (himself) yě (also) pèi·shang ({wore (at the waist)} · upon) jiàn (sword) , dàilǐng (led) 400 rén (people) chū·fā ({to go out} · {to issue forth}) , shì (vowed) yào (must) shā·sǐ (kill · dead) Nábā (Nabal’s) jiā (family) li (inside) de (’s) suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [there]} · had) nán·dīng (male · {population members}) . (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:12, 13, 21, 22) Dàwèi (David) zhè·me (this · [so]) fèn·nù ({was indignant} · {was angry}) suī·rán (although · -ly) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) lǐ·jiě (logically · untie)   (→ [understand]) , dàn (but) yòng (using) zhèi (this) zhǒng ({kind of}) fāng·shì (direction · style) xuān·xiè ({to declare} · {to let out}) nù·qì (anger · spirit) què·shì (truly · was) bú·duì (not · right) de (’s) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (say) : “Rén (man) de (’s) fèn·nù (indignation · anger) bìng (definitely) bù·néng (not · can) shēn·zhāng (extend · spread) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) zhèngyì (righteousness) .” ( Yǎgè·shū (James · book) 1:20) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) yào (needed) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zuò ({to do}) , cái ({only then}) néng (could) zhěngjiù (save) tā de ([her]) jiā·rén (family · people) ne?

14. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) tà·chū·le (tread · out · [to completion]) huà·jiě (dissolving · untying) wēi·jī (danger · occasion) de (’s) dì‐yī ([first]) bù (step) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Nábā (Nabal) hé (and) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) biǎo·xiàn (showed · revealed) bù·tóng (not · {were the same}) de (’s) tàidu (attitudes) , wǒmen ([we]) cóng·zhōng (from · within) xué·dào (learn · {arriving at}) shénme ([what]) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) .)

¹⁴ Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) tà·chū (treading · out) huà·jiě (dissolving · untying) zhèi (this) cì (time) wēi·jī (danger · occasion) de (’s) dì‐yī ([first]) bù (step) , jiù·shì (exactly · was) xū·xīn (empty·-heartedly)   (→ [modestly]) língtīng ({to listen to})   (→ [to listen respectfully to]) bié·ren (other · people) jiǎng·huà (speak · words) . Tā (her) zhàngfu (husband) Nábā (Nabal) què (however) bù (not) yí·yàng ({[was of] one} · kind)   (→ [was the same]) . Nèi·ge (that · [mw]) nián·qīng (years · light) pú·rén (servant · person) shuō (said) Nábā (Nabal) “shì (was) ge ([mw]) wú·lài·hàn (no · {relying on} · man) , méi·yǒu (not · {is having}) rén (person) gǎn (daring) gēn (with) tā (him) shuō·huà ({to speak} · words) ”.* (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:17) Nábā (Nabal) zì·shì (self · regarded) guò·gāo (overly · highly) , shéi (whoever) de (’s) huà (words) dōu (all) bù (not) kěn ({was willing}) tīng ({to hear}) , jīn·tiān (present · [day]) hěn (very) duō (many) rén (people) yě (also) biǎo·xiàn (show · reveal) zhèi (this) zhǒng ({kind of}) tàidu (attitude) . Dàn·shì (but · was) , nèi·ge (that · [mw]) nián·qīng (years · light) pú·rén (servant · person) zhīdào ([knew]) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) bú (not) shì (was) zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) rén (person) , suǒ·yǐ ({that which} · {was the reason}) cái ({only then}) xiàng (to) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) qiú·jiù (requested · saving) .

15, 16. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) biǎo·míng (showed · clearly) zìjǐ (self) jiù (exactly) xiàng ({was like}) Zhēn·yán (admonishing · sayings)   (→ [Proverbs]) suǒ ({that which [it]}) shuō ({speaks of}) de (’s) xián·qī (worthy · wife) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) de (’s) zuò·fǎ (doing · way) bú (not) shì (was) fǎn·kàng (opposing · resisting) zhàngfu (husband) de (’s) lǐngdǎo·quán ({to lead} · authority) , gù·yì ([with] deliberate · intention) gēn (with) tā (him) zuò·duì (being · opposed) ne?

¹⁵ Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) hěn (very) kuài (quickly) jiù (then) xiǎng·dào·le (thought · {arriving at} · [to completion]) bàn·fǎ (handling · method) , bìng ({side by side with}) “ gǎn·máng (rushing · hurrying) ” cǎi·qǔ ({to adopt} · {to take}) xíng·dòng (doing · moving) . Zài (in) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) de (’s) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) jìzǎi (record) zhōng (within) , sì (four) cì (times) yòng·le (used · [to completion]) “ gǎn·máng (rushing · hurrying) ” huò (or) lèi·sì (type · similar) de (’s) zì·yǎnr (characters · [mw]) lái ({to come}) miáo·shù ({to depict} · {to state})   (→ [to describe]) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) de (’s) xíng·dòng (doing · moving) , kě·jiàn (can · {be seen}) tā (her) dòng·zuò (moving · doing) xùn·sù ([were with] quick · speed) . Tā (she) wèi (for) Dàwèi (David) hé (and) zhuī·suí ({were going after} · {were following}) Dàwèi (David) de (’s) rén (persons) yù·bèi·le ({in advance} · prepare · -ed) fēng·fù (abundant · rich) de (’s) lǐ·wù (gift · things) , bāokuò (including) bǐng ({round flat cakes}) , jiǔ (wine) , yáng (sheep) , pútao·bǐng (grape · {round flat cakes}) , wú·huā·guǒ·bǐng (no · flower · fruit · {round flat cakes})   (→ [fig cakes]) , hōng·hǎo ({heated by fire} · {to a satisfactory finish}) de (’s) gǔ (grain) . Xiǎn·rán (obvious·ly) , Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) jiù (exactly) xiàng (like) Zhēn·yán (admonishing · sayings)   (→ [Proverbs]) suǒ ({that which [it]}) shuō ({speaks of}) de (’s) xián·qī (worthy · wife) nà·yàng (that · [way]) , bǎ (held) jiā·wù (household · affairs) liào·lǐ (material · {to be managed}) de ({to get to be}) jǐngjǐng·yǒu·tiáo (neat · having · order) , hěn (very) qīngchu ({was clear about}) jiā (home) li (inside) yǒu·xiē (had · some) shénme ([what]) dōng·xi (easts · wests)   (→ [things]) . ( Zhēn·yán (admonishing · sayings)   (→ [Proverbs]) 31:10–31) Tā (she) pài (sent) pú·rén (servant · persons) xiān (first) bǎ ({to hold}) lǐ·wù (gift · things) sòng·qu ({to deliver} · {to go}) , zìjǐ (self) suí·hòu (following · afterwards) qián·wǎng (forward · went) , “dàn (but) tā (she) shénme ([anything]) dōu (even) méi·yǒu (not · had) gàosu (told) zhàngfu (husband) Nábā (Nabal) ”. (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:18, 19)

¹⁶ Zhè (this) shì (is) bu (not) shì (is) shuō ({to say}) , Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) fǎn·kàng ({was opposing} · {was resisting}) zhàngfu (husband) de (’s) lǐngdǎo·quán ({to lead} · authority) , gù·yì ([with] deliberate · intention) gēn (with) tā (him) zuò·duì (was · opposed) ne? Bú (not) shì (was) de (’s) . Shàng·wén (above · writing) shuō·guo (said · {[in the] past}) , Nábā (Nabal) è·dài (badly · {had treated}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) shòu·gào (received · [anointing]) pú·rén (servant · person) , zhè (this) hěn (very) kě·néng (could · {be able}) dǎo·zhì ({to lead to} · {to incur}) jiā (family) li (inside) xǔ·duō (numbers · many) wú·gū (without · guilt) de (’s) rén (people) sàng·mìng (losing · life) ; yào·shi (if · {[it] was [that]}) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) yě (also) xiù·shǒu ({tucked inside sleeves} · hands) ‐ páng·guān ({[on the] side} · observed) , jiù (then) yào ({would need}) fù·qi ({to shoulder} · up) yí (one) bù·fen (part · component) de (’s) zuì·zé (sin · responsibility) le ([indicates a change]) . Zài (at) zhèi (this) zhǒng ({kind of}) qíngkuàng (situation) xia (under) , Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) bìxū (needed) jiāng ({to take}) shùn·fú ({submitting to} · obeying) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) kàn·de ({to look at} · {to get to be}) bǐ ({compared to}) shùn·fú ({submitting to} · obeying) zhàngfu (husband) gèng (more) zhòng·yào (weighty · important) .

17, 18. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) jiàn·dào (saw · {arriving at}) Dàwèi (David) shí (time) zěn·me (how · [so]) zuò (did) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Tā (she) gēn (with) Dàwèi (David) shuō·le (said · [to completion]) shénme ([what]) ? (Bǐng) (([c])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) tā de ([her]) huà (words) nà·me (that · [so]) zòu·xiào ({had performed} · effect) ?

¹⁷ Bù·jiǔ (not · {was a long time}) , Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) jiù (then) gēn (with) Dàwèi (David) hé (and) zhuī·suí ({were going after} · {were following}) Dàwèi (David) de (’s) rén (persons) xiāng·yù ({each other} · met) . Tā (she) zài·cì (again · {[one] time}) xùn·sù ([with] quick · speed) xíng·dòng (did · moved) . Jīng·wén (scripture · writing) shuō (says) tā (she) gǎn·máng (rushing · hurrying) cóng (from) lǘ (donkey’s) bèi (back) xià·lai (down · came) , miàn (face) fú ([faced downwards]) yú (to) dì (ground) , qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) de (-ly) xiàng (to) Dàwèi (David) qū·shēn (bent · body) xià·bài ({to go down} · {to do obeisance}) . (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:20, 23) Rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) , tā (she) bǎ (held) zìjǐ (self’s) nèi·xīn (inner · heart) de (’s) gǎn·shòu (feeling · receiving) gàosu ({to tell}) Dàwèi (David) , qiú (entreated) Dàwèi (David) yuán·liàng ({to pardon} · {to forgive}) tā de ([her]) zhàngfu (husband) hé (and) jiā·rén (family · people) , jié·guǒ (formed · fruit)   (→ [as a result]) chéng·gōng (accomplishing · achievement) huà·jiě·le (dissolved · untied · [to completion]) zhèi (this) cì (time’s) wēi·jī (danger · occasion) . Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) tā de ([her]) huà (words) nà·me (that · [so]) zòu·xiào ({had performed} · effect) ne?

¹⁸ Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) yuàn·yì ([with] willing · intention) dài ({substituted for}) zhàngfu (husband) chéng·dān ({to bear} · {to take on}) zuì·zé (sin · responsibility) , bìng ({side by side with}) kěn·qiú (earnestly · beseeching) Dàwèi (David) kuān·shù (generously · {to forgive}) tā (him) . Tā (she) tǎn·bái (candidly · {white (clearly)}) chéng·rèn (carried · recognizing) Nábā (Nabal) rén·rú·qí·míng (person · {was like} · his · name) , shì (was) ge ([mw]) yú·wàng·rén (stupid · presumptuous · person) . Tā (she) yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) xiǎng (wanted) àn·shì (dimly · {to show})   (→ [to suggest]) , Dàwèi (David) yào·shi (if · was) xiàng (towards) Nábā (Nabal) zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) rén (person) dòng·shǒu (moving · hand) , shí·zài (truly · presently) yǒu·sǔn ({would have} · {harm to}) zūn·yán (honour · rigourousness) . Tā (she) biǎo·shì (expressed · showed) xiāng·xìn ([it] · believed) Dàwèi (David) shì (was) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) dài·biǎo ({taking the place of} · {to show})   (→ [representative]) , shì (was) “wèi (for) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zhēng·zhàn ({contending in} · war) ” de (’s) . Tā (she) yě (also) zhīdào ([knew]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) xiàng (to) Dàwèi (David) suǒ ({that which [he]}) zuò ({had made}) de (’s) yīngxǔ (promise) , zhīdào ([knew]) Dàwèi (David) jiāng·yào ({in the future} · must) zuò·wáng (be · king) . Tā (she) shuō (said) : “Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) … bì (certainly) lì ({will establish}) nǐ (you) zuò ({to be}) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) de (’s) lǐngxiù ([leader]) .” Jiē·zhe ({take hold of [next]} · -ing) , Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) qǐng (requested) Dàwèi (David) bú·yào (not · {to require}) zuò (doing) rèn·hé ({no matter} · what)   (→ [any]) liú·xuè ({[causes to] flow} · blood) ‐ hài·mìng (murders · life) de (’s) shì (thing) , miǎn·de ({to avoid} · getting) jiāng·lái ({going to} · come)   (→ [in the future]) “ liáng·xīn (good · heart)   (→ [conscience]) bù’·ān (not · {being at ease}) , xīn·li (heart · inside) yǒu·kuì (having · {being ashamed}) ”. (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:24–31.) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) de (’s) huà (words) duō·me ({[how] much} · [so]) rén·cí ({were benevolent} · {were kind}) , gǎn·rén ({were moving} · people) !

19. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Dàwèi (David) tīng·wán ({had listened to} · {to completion}) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) de (’s) huà (words) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Dàwèi (David) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) chēng·zàn (commended · praised) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) ?

¹⁹ Dàwèi (David) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ne? Tā (he) jiēshòu (accepted) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) de (’s) lǐ·wù (gift · things) , bìng (simultaneously) shuō (said) : “Yuàn (wish) chēng·sòng (praise · extolling) guī·yú ({to be turned over} · to) Yǐsèliè (Israel) de (’s) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ! Yīn·wei (because · for) tā (he) jīn·tiān (current · [day]) dǎfa ({has sent}) nǐ (you) lái ({to come}) jiàn ({to see}) wǒ (me) . Yuàn (wish) rén (people) zàn·shǎng (praise · admire) nǐ (you) míng·bai (understanding · clearly) shì·lǐ (matters · reason) , yòu (also) yuàn (wish) nǐ (you) méng·fú (receive · blessing) , yīn·wei (because · for) nǐ (you) jīn·tiān (current · [day]) zǔ·zhǐ ({have obstructed} · {have stopped}) wǒ (me) liú·xuè ({[causing to] flow} · blood) ‐ hài·mìng (murdering · life) ”. Dàwèi (David) chēng·zàn (commended · praised) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) xíng·shì (doing · things) guǒ·gǎn ({being resolute} · {being daring}) , hái (also) shuō (said) yào·bu·shì (if · not · {was [that]}) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) gǎn ({had hurried}) lái ({to come}) zǔ·zhǐ ({to obstruct} · {to stop}) tā (he) jiù (then) huì (would) liú·xuè ({[have caused to] flow} · blood) ‐ hài·mìng ({have murdered} · life) le ([indicates a change]) . Zuì·hòu (most · afterwards)   (→ [finally]) , tā (he) qǐng (invited) Yàbǐgāi (Abigail) píngpíng (peaceful) ‐ ān’ān (secure) de (-ly) huí·jiā ({to circle back to} · home) qù ({to go}) , bìng ({side by side with}) qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) de (-ly) shuō (saying) : “ Nǐ (you) kàn (see) , wǒ (I) tīng·cóng·le ({have listened to} · {have followed} · [to completion]) nǐ de ([your]) huà (words) ”. (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 25:32–35)