1
Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him at his home in Ramah. And David arose and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.
2
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
3
The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. And he was of the house of Caleb.
4
When David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep,
5
David sent ten young men; and David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name.
6
And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: 'Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have!
7
Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds were with us, and we did not hurt them, nor was there anything missing from them all the while they were in Carmel.
8
Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.' "
9
So when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in the name of David, and waited.
10
Then Nabal answered David's servants, and said, "Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master.
11
Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men when I do not know where they are from?"
12
So David's young men turned on their heels and went back; and they came and told him all these words.