Editing Nabal (section)

==Biblical Narrative==

According to the Biblical narrative, [[David]] (who was not yet king) and his band of men, who had been fleeing from [[King Saul]], went to the [[Wilderness of Paran]].<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:5-11|HE}}</ref>

The account states that Nabal lived in the city of [[Tell Maon|Maon]], and owned much land in the town of [[Carmel (biblical settlement)|Carmel]], as well as many [[sheep]] and [[goat]]s.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:2|HE}}</ref> The account is set at the time of [[sheep shearing]],<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:4|HE}}</ref> which in Israelite culture was a time for great festivities, owing to the importance of the [[wool trade]].<ref>''[[Peake's Commentary on the Bible]]''</ref> At this time David sent ten men to Nabal. David told his men to remind Nabal that his men had not harmed or robbed Nabal's shepherds, and requested that Nabal give him whatever provisions were on hand. David's request is couched in language that refers to David's men as Nabal's servants, and to David himself as Nabal's "son."

Nabal harshly rebuffs David's request: "Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days that break away every man from his master; shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men of whom I know not whence they are?"<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:10-11|HE}}, Jewish Publication Society translation of 1917</ref>

Upon hearing of Nabal's reply, David and four hundred of his men arm themselves with swords.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:11|HE}}</ref>

One of Nabal's [[shepherd]]s, considering Nabal too abrasive to approach about the issue, warns Nabal's wife, [[Abigail]], of the situation, along with a positive account of his previous experiences with David and his men.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:5-12|HE}}</ref>

Abigail chose to intervene in order to avert David's wrath.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:14-17|HE}}</ref> In the account, while David armed his men and set off with 400 of them for Nabal's home, leaving 200 men behind to look after the supplies,<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:13|HE}}</ref> Abigail set off with her servants, and a very large quantity of provisions, without telling Nabal.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:18-19|HE}}</ref>

Abigail manages to meet David and his men before David could reach Nabal and she pleads for David to accept the gifts she has brought with her, and begs that there be no bloodshed, asking to take Nabal's blame herself, and complimenting David by stating that Yahweh would make his dynasty long lasting, and David sinless and divinely protected;<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:20-29|HE}}</ref> as a result of her actions, David recognized that he is about to sin and calls off his threat and sends Abigail home in peace.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:30-34|HE}}</ref> Abigail does not tell Nabal about what she has done until the following day as, when she returns, Nabal is drunk and high spirited due to a kingly banquet, but when she does tell Nabal he has a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]], or possibly a [[stroke]], and dies ten days later.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:35-38|HE}}</ref> The account ends with David hearing about the death, recognizing that it was a punishment from [[Yahweh]], and asking for, and receiving, the hand of Abigail in marriage.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:39-42|HE}}</ref>