שמואל א, פרק כ״ה, פסוק ל״ט

Upon learning of Nabal's sudden death, David responds not with boastful triumph, but with a profound prayer of gratitude to God. His thanksgiving breaks down into three distinct reflections on how divine justice perfectly orchestrated the situation. First, David expresses gratitude that God stepped in to defend his honor [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The humiliation he suffered was deeply personal, as Nabal had hurled harsh insults at him, dismissing him as nothing more than a rebellious servant breaking away from his master [רש״י, רד״ק, אלשיך]. By handling the dispute directly, God cleared David's name without requiring him to lift a finger.

Second, David blesses God for actively holding him back from doing wrong and taking revenge with his own hands [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. There is a deeper legal reality at play here. Under human law, David did not yet have the authority to execute Nabal, since his kingship was not yet widely recognized. However, Nabal still deserved death by heavenly decree for rebelling against God's anointed king. By stepping in, God's intervention perfectly balanced the scales of justice, executing the proper judgment while saving David from committing a sin [אלשיך].

Finally, David acknowledges how God returned Nabal’s wickedness directly upon him [מצודת דוד]. While this might seem like a repetition of his earlier praise, there is a crucial distinction. God arranged events so that Nabal died as a result of his own accumulated sins, rather than strictly as a punishment for insulting David. This detail spiritually protected David, as someone who causes another person to be punished and die is barred from entering the presence of God [מלבי״ם].

Looking at this final point from a different angle, the gratitude highlights that the punishment fell exclusively on Nabal. The destruction did not spread to his household, his wealth, or his wife, Abigail. Because the judgment was contained entirely, his household and property remained intact, paving the way for David's next step [אברבנאל]. Abigail had left a powerful impression on David. She proved to be a woman of great wisdom, whose words revealed deep understanding, emotional sensitivity, and high-minded thought [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. With the only obstacle now removed, David immediately sent his men to bring her to be his wife [אברבנאל].