שמואל א, פרק כ״ה, פסוק י״ז

A servant recognizes an impending disaster and turns to the only person capable of preventing it. Approaching Abigail, he pleads with her to find a way to repair the damage caused by her husband and to appease David [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. The servant explains his decision to bypass his master and come directly to her [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He delivers a dire warning that ruin and revenge from David have already been absolutely and finally decreed against their master and his entire household [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

In his plea, the servant uses a term describing a wicked, unrestrained individual. Generally, this concept refers to a person who has completely discarded all moral boundaries [מצודת ציון], though it can also describe someone who is exceptionally stingy and miserly [רלב״ג]. The primary approach among commentators is that this harsh description refers directly to Nabal. He is considered so wicked, irresponsible, and easily angered that it is completely impossible to speak with him or offer him any correction [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Had the servants attempted to warn him directly, he would have only scolded them harshly [רד״ק].

However, other commentators suggest this severe description actually involves David. According to one perspective, David is the one acting without restraint in the wake of being insulted; he is no longer interested in talking and intends to destroy everything by force [רד״ק]. Another approach explains that the phrase describes the very insult Nabal hurled at David. In this view, Nabal spoke about David, calling him a wicked and rebellious servant. It was this deep personal insult that ultimately sealed the harsh decree against the household [מלבי״ם].