1 Samuel 25

1 Samuel murió, y todo Israel se reunió y lo lloró, y lo enterró en su casa de Ramá. Entonces David se levantó y descendió al desierto de Parán.

[Soon after that], Samuel died, and all the Israeli people gathered and mourned for him. They buried his body outside his home in Ramah. Then David and his men moved to the Maon Desert.

2 Había un hombre en Maón cuyas posesiones estaban en el Carmelo; el hombre era muy grande. Tenía tres mil ovejas y mil cabras, y estaba esquilando sus ovejas en el Carmelo.

In Maon [town] there was a man who owned land in Carmel, [a nearby village]. He was very rich; he owned 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats.

3 El nombre de aquel hombre era Nabal, y el de su mujer, Abigail. Esta mujer era inteligente y tenía un rostro hermoso; pero el hombre era huraño y malvado en sus acciones. Era de la casa de Caleb.

His name was Nabal; he was a descendant of Caleb. His wife Abigail was a wise and beautiful woman, but Nabal was very cruel and treated people very unkindly [IDM].

4 David oyó en el desierto que Nabal estaba esquilando sus ovejas.

One day while David [and his men] were in the desert, someone told him that Nabal was cutting the wool from his sheep.

5 David envió a diez jóvenes, y les dijo: “Suban al Carmelo y vayan a Nabal y salúdenlo en mi nombre.

So David told ten of his men, “Go to Nabal at Carmel and greet him for me.

6 Díganle: “¡Que te vaya bien! ¡La paz sea contigo! ¡La paz sea con tu casa! ¡La paz sea con todo lo que tienes!

Then tell to him this message from me, ‘I wish/desire that things will go well for you and your family and for everything that you possess.

7 He oído que tienes esquiladores. Tus pastores han estado ahora con nosotros, y no les hemos hecho ningún daño. Nada les faltó en todo el tiempo que estuvieron en el Carmelo.

‘heard people say that you are cutting the wool from your sheep. Previously, when your shepherds were among us, we did not harm them. All the time that your shepherds were among us at Camel, we did not steal any sheep from them.

8 Pregunta a tus jóvenes, y ellos te lo dirán. Por lo tanto, que los jóvenes encuentren favor ante tus ojos, porque venimos en un buen día. Por favor, da lo que venga a tu mano a tus siervos y a tu hijo David”.

You can ask your servants if this is true, and they will tell you [that it is true]. We have come here at a time when you are celebrating, so I ask you to please be kind to us and give these men whatever extra food you have, for me, David, and my men to eat.’”

9 Cuando llegaron los jóvenes de David, le dijeron a Nabal todas esas palabras en nombre de David, y esperaron.

When David’s men arrived where Nabal was, they gave David’s message to him, and they waited [for him to reply]. But Nabal spoke harshly to them.

10 Nabal respondió a los siervos de David y dijo: “¿Quién es David? ¿Quién es el hijo de Isaí? Hay muchos siervos que se separan de sus amos en estos días.

He said to them, “Who [does] this man, this son of Jesse, [think that he] is? [DOU, RHQ] There are many slaves who are running away from their masters at the present time, [and it seems to me that he is just one of them].

11 ¿Debo, pues, tomar mi pan, mi agua y mi carne que he matado para mis esquiladores, y dárselos a hombres que no sé de dónde vienen?”

I give bread and water to the men who are cutting the wool from my sheep, and I give them meat from animals that I have slaughtered. Why should I take some of those things and give them to a group of outlaws [RHQ]? (Who knows where they have come from?/I do not even know where they have come from.)” [RHQ]

12 Entonces los jóvenes de David se pusieron en camino y volvieron, y vinieron a contarle todas estas palabras.

Then David’s men returned and told him what Nabal had said.

13 David dijo a sus hombres: “¡Cada uno ponga su espada!” Cada hombre se puso su espada. David también se puso su espada. Unos cuatrocientos hombres siguieron a David, y doscientos se quedaron junto al equipaje.

When David heard that, he told his men, “[We are going to kill Nabal; ] fasten your swords!” So he fastened on his sword and about 400 men fastened on their swords and went with David. There were 200 of his men who stayed with their supplies.

14 Pero uno de los jóvenes se lo contó a Abigail, la mujer de Nabal, diciendo: “He aquí que David envió mensajeros desde el desierto para saludar a nuestro amo, y él los insultó.

One of Nabal’s servants [found out what David and his men were planning to do, so he] went to Nabal’s wife Abigail and said to her, “David sent some messengers from the desert to greet our master Nabal, but Nabal only yelled at them.

15 Pero los hombres se portaron muy bien con nosotros, y no nos hicieron ningún daño, y no nos faltó nada mientras íbamos con ellos, cuando estábamos en el campo.

All the time that we were in the fields close to them, those men of David were very kind to us. They did not harm us. They did not steal anything from us.

16 Fueron un muro para nosotros tanto de noche como de día, todo el tiempo que estuvimos con ellos cuidando las ovejas.

They protected us during the daytime and during the night. They were like a wall [MET] around us to protect us while we were taking care of our sheep.

17 Ahora, pues, sabed y considerad lo que vais a hacer, porque el mal está decidido contra nuestro amo y contra toda su casa, pues es un tipo tan inútil que no se puede hablar con él.”

So now you should think about it and decide what you can do. [If you do not do something, ] terrible things will happen to our master and to all his family. Nabal is an extremely wicked man, with the result that [he will not heed anyone when] that person tries to tell him anything [that he should do].”

18 Entonces Abigail se apresuró a tomar doscientos panes, dos cántaros de vino, cinco ovejas preparadas, cinco seahs de grano tostado, cien racimos de pasas y doscientos pasteles de higos, y los puso sobre los asnos.

[When] Abigail [heard that, she] very quickly gathered 200 loaves [of bread], and also got two leather bags full of wine, the meat from five sheep, a bushel of roasted grain, 100 packs of raisins, and 200 packs of dried figs. She put all those things on donkeys.

19 Dijo a sus jóvenes: “Id delante de mí. Mirad, voy detrás de vosotros”. Pero no se lo dijo a su marido, Nabal.

Then she told her servants, “Go ahead of me. I will follow you.” But she did not tell her husband [what she was going to do].

20 Mientras montaba en su asno y bajaba escondida por el monte, he aquí que David y sus hombres bajaban hacia ella, y ella les salió al encuentro.

David and his men [had left the place where they were staying and were on the road to Nabal’s property. They] were coming down a hill when they met Abigail.

21 Ahora bien, David había dicho: “Ciertamente en vano he guardado todo lo que este hombre tiene en el desierto, para que no le falte nada de todo lo que le pertenece. Me ha devuelto mal por bien.

David had been saying to his men, “It was useless for us to protect that man and all his possessions here in this desert. We did not steal anything that belonged to him, but he has done evil to me in return for our good [things we did for him].

22 Que Dios haga lo mismo con los enemigos de David, y más aún, si dejo de todo lo que le pertenece a la luz de la mañana tanto como a uno que orina en una pared”.

I hope/desire that God will strike me and kill me [IDM] if he or even one of his men [IDM] is still alive tomorrow morning!”

23 Cuando Abigail vio a David, se apresuró a bajar de su asno, y se postró ante David de bruces y se postró en el suelo.

When Abigail saw David, she quickly got down from her donkey and bowed before him, with her face touching the ground.

24 Se postró a sus pies y le dijo: “¡A mí, señor mío, a mí me corresponde la culpa! Por favor, deja que tu siervo hable en tus oídos. Escucha las palabras de tu siervo.

Then she prostrated herself at David’s feet and said to him, “Sir, I deserve to be punished [for what my husband has done]. Please listen to what I say to you.

25 Por favor, no permitas que mi señor preste atención a este inútil de Nabal, pues como su nombre es, así es él. Nabal es su nombre, y la insensatez está con él; pero yo, tu siervo, no vi a los jóvenes de mi señor que tú enviaste.

Please do not pay attention to [IDM] what this worthless man Nabal has said. His name means ‘fool’, and he surely is a foolish man. But I, who am [willing to be] your servant, did not see the messengers whom you sent to him.

26 Ahora, pues, señor mío, vive Yahvé y vive tu alma, ya que Yahvé te ha impedido culparte de la sangre y vengarte con tu propia mano, ahora, pues, que tus enemigos y los que buscan el mal para mi señor sean como Nabal.

Yahweh has prevented you from getting revenge on anyone and killing anyone. I hope/desire that as surely as Yahweh lives and as surely as you live, your enemies will be [cursed] like Nabal will be.

27 Ahora bien, este presente que tu siervo ha traído a mi señor, dáselo a los jóvenes que siguen a mi señor.

I have brought a gift for you and for the men who are with you.

28 Por favor, perdona la falta de tu siervo. Porque ciertamente Yahvé hará de mi señor una casa segura, porque mi señor pelea las batallas de Yahvé. El mal no se encontrará en ti en todos tus días.

Please forgive me if I have done anything wrong to you. Yahweh will surely [reward you by] allowing many of your descendants to become kings of Israel, because you are fighting the battles that Yahweh [wants you to fight]. And [I know that] throughout all your life you have not done anything wrong.

29 Aunque los hombres se levanten para perseguirte y buscar tu alma, el alma de mi señor estará atada en el fardo de la vida con Yahvé, tu Dios. Él sacará las almas de tus enemigos como del bolsillo de una honda.

Even when those who are trying to kill you pursue you, you are safe, because Yahweh your God takes care of you. You will be [protected as though you were] [MET] a bundle that he has safely tied up. But your enemies will [disappear as fast as stones] that are hurled from a sling.

30 Sucederá que cuando Yahvé haya hecho a mi señor conforme a todo el bien que ha hablado de ti, y te haya nombrado príncipe de Israel,

Yahweh has promised to do good things for you, and he will do what he has promised. And he will cause you to become the ruler of the Israeli people.

31 esto no te supondrá ninguna pena, ni ofensa de corazón para mi señor, ni que hayas derramado sangre sin causa, ni que mi señor se haya vengado. Cuando Yahvé haya tratado bien a mi señor, entonces acuérdate de tu siervo”.

When that happens, [you will be glad that you did not kill any] people in Nabal’s household. You will not think that you deserve to be punished for having taken revenge yourself and killed innocent people. And when Yahweh enables you to successfully [become the king], please do not forget [to be kind to] me.”

32 David dijo a Abigail: “¡Bendito sea Yahvé, el Dios de Israel, que te ha enviado hoy a mi encuentro!

David replied to Abigail, “I praise Yahweh, the God whom we Israelis [worship], because he sent you to [talk with] me.

33 Bendita sea tu discreción, y bendita seas tú, que me has librado hoy de la culpa de la sangre y de vengarme con mi propia mano.

I hope/desire that Yahweh will bless you for being very wise. You have prevented me from taking revenge myself and killing many people [MTY] today.

34 Porque, ciertamente, vive Yahvé, el Dios de Israel, que me ha impedido hacerte daño, si no te hubieras apresurado a venir a mi encuentro, ciertamente no le habría quedado a Nabal, al amanecer, tanto como el que orina en una pared.”

Just as surely as Yahweh the God whom we Israelis [worship] is alive, he has prevented me from harming you. If you had not come quickly to talk to me, neither Nabal nor even one of Nabal’s men [IDM] would be still alive tomorrow morning.”

35 Entonces David recibió de su mano lo que ella le había traído. Luego le dijo: “Sube en paz a tu casa. He aquí que he escuchado tu voz y he concedido tu petición”.

Then David accepted the gifts that Abigail had brought to him. He said to her, “I hope/desire that things will go well for you. I have heard what you said, and I will do what you have requested.”

36 Abigail fue a ver a Nabal, y he aquí que él celebraba una fiesta en su casa como la fiesta de un rey. El corazón de Nabal estaba alegre en su interior, pues estaba muy borracho. Por eso no le dijo nada hasta la luz de la mañana.

When Abigail returned to Nabal, he was in his house, having a big celebration like kings have. He was very drunk and feeling very happy. So Abigail did not say anything to him that night [about her meeting with David].

37 Por la mañana, cuando el vino se le fue a Nabal, su mujer le contó estas cosas; y su corazón se apagó dentro de él, y quedó como una piedra.

The next morning, when he was no longer drunk, she told him everything [that had happened when she talked with David]. [Immediately] (he had a stroke/a blood vessel burst in his brain) and he became paralyzed [MET].

38 Unos diez días después, el Señor hirió a Nabal, de modo que murió.

About ten days later Yahweh struck him [again] and he died.

39 Cuando David se enteró de que Nabal había muerto, dijo: “Bendito sea Yahvé, que ha defendido la causa de mi afrenta de la mano de Nabal, y que ha apartado a su siervo del mal. Yahvé ha devuelto la maldad de Nabal sobre su propia cabeza”. David envió a hablar sobre Abigail, para tomarla como esposa.

After David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise Yahweh! Nabal insulted me, but Yahweh (vindicated me/got revenge for me). He has prevented me from [doing anything] wrong. And he has punished Nabal for the wrong that he did.” Then David sent [messengers] to Abigail, to ask her if she would become his wife.

40 Cuando los siervos de David fueron a buscar a Abigail al Carmelo, le hablaron diciendo: “David nos ha enviado a ti para tomarte como esposa.”

His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, “David sent us to take you to become his wife.”

41 Ella se levantó y se inclinó con el rostro hacia la tierra, y dijo: “He aquí que tu sierva es una sierva para lavar los pies de los siervos de mi señor.”

Abigail bowed down with her face touching the ground. Then she told [the messengers to tell David], “[I am happy to become your wife]. I will be your servant. And I am willing to wash the feet of your slaves.”

42 Abigail se levantó apresuradamente y montó en un asno con sus cinco criadas que la seguían; y fue tras los mensajeros de David y se convirtió en su esposa.

Abigail quickly got on her donkey and went with David’s messengers. Five of her maids went with her. [When she arrived where David was, ] she became his wife.

43 David también tomó a Ahinoam de Jezreel, y ambas fueron sus esposas.

David had previously married Ahinoam, a woman from Jezreel [town near Carmel]. So both Abigail and Ahinoam were now David’s wives.

44 Saúl había dado a su hija Mical, esposa de David, a Palti, hijo de Lais, que era de Galim.

King Saul’s daughter Michal was also David’s wife, but Saul had given her to Laish’s son Paltiel, who was from Gallim [town].