In a fallen world, conflict is inevitable. Combustible emotions eventually blow when too much pressure builds up. In 1 Samuel 25, David and his men, already under intense pressure due to Saul's rabid pursuit, entered the Desert of Maon looking for an emotional oasis.

What they got instead was the equivalent of hot sand kicked in their faces by one Nabal of Carmel, a spoiled man whose shepherds David had once treated favorably (vv. 7–8, 14–17). Unfortunately, Nabal lived up to his name ("Fool," v. 25) when he cavalierly backhanded David's appeal for hospitality (vv. 10–11).

Nabal's shameful treatment of David was a grave insult. David was ready to prepare him a grave because of it. "He has paid me back evil for good," David fumed as they neared Carmel. "May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him" (vv. 21–22).

Previously David had shown restraint in not killing Saul, who had sought David's life (1 Sam. 24:1–22). Was he now going to kill Nabal and all his men merely for insulting him? David was no megalomaniac. But he was at that moment viewing things through the distorted lens of personal vengeance—a lens that had magnified his grievances disproportionately.

Thank God for Abigail's peacemaking wisdom (1 Sam. 25:14–35). Nabal's better–than–he–deserved wife went out to meet David before he got to Carmel. She convinced the future king that he should not have on his conscience "the staggering burden of needless bloodshed" (v. 31).

Abigail appealed to David's devotion to the Lord, predicting that his personal honor would only be compromised, not vindicated, by such a harsh reaction to Nabal. She tactfully reminded David that vengeance was the Lord's to exact on Nabal if He chose: "The lives of your enemies he will hurl away" (v. 29, emphasis mine).

Peacemakers appeal to higher wisdom, as Abigail did. Restoration of broken relationships is the result (Prov. 12:18). Reconciliation is the intended effect of the peace–loving "wisdom that comes from heaven" (Jas. 3:17).