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!