1 Samuel 25:14
But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.
This took place while David was being hunted by Saul with no place of rest or security, after Abiathar son of Ahimelech escaped Saul's slaughter of the Lord's priests and fled to David, who promised him safeguard because the same enemy sought both their lives. After Nabal dismissed David's young men, one of Nabal's servants hastened to Abigail to tell her what had happened.
The servant reported to her that David had sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet his master with courtesy, and that Nabal had answered them with insulting refusal and railing. That report set Nabal's insolence in contrast with the courteous character of David's request. The servant added that David's men had been very good to Nabal's servants while with them in the fields keeping sheep, that they were not hurt and missed nothing, and that they were a wall to them by night and by day. He urged Abigail to know and consider what to do, warning that the insult might bring disaster because evil was determined against Nabal and all his household. In turning to Abigail rather than to Nabal, he showed trust in her judgment and sought her help because Nabal himself was unreasonable.