Nabal — Bible person

Foolish, a descendant of Caleb who dwelt at Maon (1 Sam. 25), the modern Main, 7 miles south-east of Hebron. He was “very great, and he had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats...but the man was churlish and evil in his doings.” During his wanderings David came into that district, and hearing that Nabal was about to shear his sheep, he sent ten of his young men to ask “whatsoever cometh unto thy hand for thy servants.” Nabal insultingly resented the demand, saying, “Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse?” (1 Sam. 25:10, 11). One of the shepherds that stood by and saw the reception David’s messengers had met with, informed Abigail, Nabal’s wife, who at once realized the danger that threatened her household. She forthwith proceeded to the camp of David, bringing with her ample stores of provisions (25:18). She so courteously and persuasively pled her cause that David’s anger was appeased, and he said to her, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this day to meet me.”

On her return she found her husband incapable from drunkenness of understanding the state of matters, and not till the following day did she explain to him what had happened. He was stunned by a sense of the danger to which his conduct had exposed him. “His heart died within him, and he became as a stone.” and about ten days after “the Lord smote Nabal that he died” (1 Sam. 25:37, 38). Not long after David married Abigail (q.v.).

People and places

Recorded scripture occurrences (18)

References recorded in the source data; this is not an exhaustive list of mentions.

Show passage in OET: SA1 25:3

OET-RV SA1 25:3

3 The man’s name was Naval, and his wife was Avigayil. The wife was wise and very good-looking, whereas the man (who was a Kalevi) was harsh and cruel.

OET-LV SA1 25:3

3 And_name _of the_man was_Nāⱱāl and_name _of his/its_wife/woman was_ʼAⱱīgayil and_the_woman was_good _of insight and_beautiful _of form and_the_man was_hard and_evil _of deeds and_he mmm.

Show passage in OET: SA1 25:4

OET-RV SA1 25:4

4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Naval was shearing his sheep,

OET-LV SA1 25:4

4 And_ Dāvid _he/it _listened in_wilderness if/because _that Nāⱱāl was_shearing DOM his/its_flock _of _sheep/goats.

Show passage in OET: SA1 25:5

OET-RV SA1 25:5

5 so he told ten young men, “Go to Naval at Karmel and greet him in my name.

OET-LV SA1 25:5

5 And_ Dāvid _he _sent ten young _men and_ Dāvid _he/it _said to_men go _up to_Karmel/(Carmel) and_you(pl)_will _go to Nāⱱāl and_you(pl)_will _ask to_him/it in_name _of_my to_welfare.

Jump to OET SA1 25:3 section.

Jump to OET SA1 25:4 section.

Jump to OET SA1 25:5 section.

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