1 Samuel 25:24
And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.
The verse belongs to the time when David was a fugitive hunted by Saul, after Abiathar son of Ahimelech had fled to David and remained with him in safeguard. It describes Abigail hastening to meet David, dismounting from the ass, falling before him on her face and bowing to the ground at his feet. In that posture she took the iniquity upon herself and asked leave as his handmaid to speak in his hearing and be heard. She approached him humbly and spoke to him, with piety expressed in both her words and actions.
She addressed him as my lord with as much reverence as to a crowned monarch, in direct contrast to Nabal's scornful dismissal of who David was. Her words were kind and conciliatory, seeking to soothe his irritated feelings, offered with humility and respect and without ostentation or pride, but full of the wisdom and love of God. In this she revealed the strength of her devotion to her household. She took responsibility for the wrong upon herself and pleaded for her husband and his household, as if she herself had provoked the resentment. She offered her rich provision as a peace offering, pleading for her husband's life without excusing his insolence, and made it plain that his unkind course was in no way premeditated against David as a personal affront but was simply the outburst of an unhappy and selfish nature.
Her appeal sought to avert his revenge and the danger that the offense had brought upon Nabal and his household. Her respectful, conciliatory manner helped turn David from violence. Her respectful intervention to avert the consequences of her husband's offense shows that a wife may act promptly and independently when she knows the course is right before God. Even in doing so she stands as her husband's equal, sharing life's responsibilities and showing him due respect.