For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
I swear by the living LORD God of Israel, who has kept me from harming you, if you hadn't hurried to meet me, by morning there wouldn't have been a single male left alive in Nabal's household.
David is telling Abigail that God prevented him from carrying out his violent revenge, and her quick intervention saved every man in her household from death.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 1 Samuel, David was a fugitive from King Saul and had protected the flocks of a wealthy but foolish man named Nabal, expecting some form of reciprocity for his kindness. When Nabal insultingly refused David's request for provisions, David prepared to attack Nabal's household in revenge. Abigail, Nabal's wise wife, intervened by bringing gifts and appealing to David, which led him to recognize God's role in restraining his anger, as expressed in this verse.
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