So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to your house; see, I have hearkened to your voice, and have accepted your person.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Face. I have been pleased with thy coming, and granted thy request. (Haydock)
David had sworn with too much haste. (Calmet)
"It is sometimes wrong to perform what has been promised, and to keep an oath. "(St. Ambrose, Off. i. C. ult.)
Further, we are taught at considerable length by other texts of Scripture, too, that we neither should nor can fulfill everything that we decide upon whether with tranquil or upset mind. In them we frequently read that holy men or angels or even almighty God himself altered the things that they had promised. For blessed David determined with the promise of an oath and said, “May God do this and add more to the enemies of David if, of all that belongs to Nabal, I leave one male until morning.” But when his wife, Abigail, interceded and entreated on his behalf, David immediately ceased his threats, softened his words, and preferred to be considered a transgressor of his own intention than to be true to his oath by cruelly carrying it out. And he said, “As the Lord lives, unless you had come quickly to meet me, there would not have been left to Nabal one male until the morning light.” As we do not at all consider the promptness of his rash vow, which proceeded from an upset and disturbed ...
