Parsha Question of the Week (Vayishlach): What Trait Was Common to King David and Esau?

I am starting a new weekly feature on this blog. Every week I will pose a question or riddle related to the weekly parsha. This week we read on Shabbat the parsha known as  Vayishlach, and the opening chapter tells the story of Jacob's preparations to meet his brother Esau.  Messengers sent by Jacob to Esau to "test the waters" return with scary news: Esau is coming to attack Jacob with 400 men (Genesis, ch. 37) . Jacob fears for his life and the lives of his women and children, prays to G-d, and makes contingency plans. With this background in mind, this week's question focuses on a comparison between Esau and a figure who - at first blush - seems the total opposite:  


Question: 
What trait was common to both Esau and King David? And what dramatic event happened to both of them?  

Answer: 
Esau and King David are the only two people in the entire Bible described as “admoni” - red haired. (Esau - "And the first came forth red [admoni], all over like a hairy garment. And they called his name Esau" Genesis, 25:25; King David –"Now he was ruddy [admoni], and withal of a beautiful countenance" 1 Samuel, 16: 12). But the similarity goes further than a physical trait. Interestingly, both Esau and King David set out with 400 men to wage a battle against their enemy but radically changed their plans and ended up reconciling with their enemy. 

As we read in this week's parsha, Esau was marching with his 400-men army to attack Jacob, but, in a dramatic turn of events, reconciled with his brother Jacob in an emotional meeting in which they kissed and hugged each other. Similarly, King David set out with 400 men to wage a battle against Nabal the Carmelite, but radically changed his plan when Nabal's wife, Abigail, met him on his way and persuaded him to avoid “needless bloodshed.” As David responded to her, “May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.” (1 Samuel, 25:33).