In the story of David and Abigail (1 Samuel 25), David vows retribution for the way his men were treated by the landowner (Nabal) who should have been grateful for the kindness his servants received from them. These men of David were armed and dangerous fighting men who stood guard in the field against thieves and robbers while the servants of Nabal were shearing their sheep. (Nabal had 3,000 sheep; it was a major enterprise.) In return, it was customary to assume the soldiers would be able to share in the food and wine that always flowed freely during the festive celebration at the conclusion of the shearing time. Nothing doing. And not only did Nabal turn down their request, he hurled insults at them concerning David. No wonder David was bent on making Nabal and his whole household pay. But this is where David stepped over the line because vengeance is something that should always be left in the hands of the Lord.
John Fischer The Catch 