1. Samuel died, and people from all over Israel gathered to mourn for him when he was buried at his home in Ramah. Meanwhile, David moved his camp to Paran Desert.
2-3. Nabal was a very rich man who lived in Maon. He owned three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, which he kept at Carmel. His wife Abigail was sensible and beautiful, but he was from the Caleb clan and was rough and mean.
4. One day, Nabal was in Carmel, while his servants cut the wool from his sheep. David was in the desert when he heard about it.
5-6. So he sent ten men to Carmel with this message for Nabal:I hope that you and your family are healthy and that all is going well for you.
7. I've heard that you are cutting the wool from your sheep.When your shepherds were with us in Carmel, we didn't harm them, and nothing was ever stolen from them.
8. Ask your shepherds, and they'll tell you the same thing.My servants are your servants, and you are like a father to me. This is a day for celebrating, so please be kind and share some of your food with us.
9. David's men went to Nabal and gave him David's message, then they waited for Nabal's answer.
10. This is what he said:Who does this David think he is? That son of Jesse is just one more slave on the run from his master, and there are too many of them these days.
11. What makes you think I would take my bread, my water, and the meat that I've had cooked for my own servants and give it to you? Besides, I'm not sure that David sent you!
12. The men returned to their camp and told David everything Nabal had said.
13. “Everybody get your swords!” David ordered.They all strapped on their swords. Two hundred men stayed behind to guard the camp, but the other four hundred followed David.
14-16. Meanwhile, one of Nabal's servants told Abigail:David's men were often nearby while we were taking care of the sheep in the fields. They were very good to us, they never hurt us, and nothing was ever stolen from us while they were nearby. With them around day or night, we were as safe as we would have been inside a walled city.David sent some messengers from the desert to wish our master well, but he shouted insults at them.
17. He's a bully who won't listen to anyone.Isn't there something you can do? Please think of something! Or else our master and his family and everyone who works for him are all doomed.