Editing Nabal (section)

== Textual features and origin ==
The [[root word|root meaning]] of the name ''Nabal'' is ''wilt'',<ref>''[[Strong's concordance]]''</ref> and came to mean ''failure'', and so gained the figurative meaning of being ''shamelessly improprietous'';<ref>Cheyne and Black, ''[[Encyclopedia Biblica]]''</ref> in the Nabal narrative, he is described as living up to his name,<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|25:25|}}</ref> in addition to being surly and mean.<ref name="bibleverse|1|Samuel|25:3"/> Traditionally ''Nabal'' is [[euphemism|euphemistically]] translated as ''fool'', for which a Hebrew [[synonym]] is ''kesil'' (literally meaning ''fool''); scholars regard it as possible that some features of the Nabal narrative derive from primitive mythology,<ref name="ReferenceA">Cheyne and Black, ''Encyclopedia Biblica''</ref> and it is notable that ''kesil'' particularly referred to the [[Orion (constellation)|constellation of Orion]], and was translated as ''Orion'' by the [[Septuagint]].<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia'', ''Orion''</ref>

''Nabal'' (נבל) may be a deliberate [[satire|satirical]] corruption of the name ''Nadab'' (נדב);<ref>{{cite book |first1=Thomas Kelly |last1=Cheyne |first2=John Sutherland |last2=Black |year=1902 |chapter=Nabal |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9NQMAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA4 |title=[[Encyclopaedia Biblica]] |volume=3 |pages=3253–4 |location=London |publisher=Adam and Charles Black |oclc=890270}}</ref> if this is an [[eponym]] then it probably referred originally to [[Jehonadab]]<ref>{{cite book |first1=Thomas Kelly |last1=Cheyne |first2=John Sutherland |last2=Black |year=1902 |chapter=Nadab |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9NQMAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA5 |title=[[Encyclopaedia Biblica]] |volume=3 |pages=3255–6 |location=London |publisher=Adam and Charles Black |oclc=890270}}</ref> (which is just a [[theophory]] of ''nadab''), and thus represent the [[Rechabite]]s.<ref>Cheyne and Black, ''Encyclopedia Biblica'' - ''Jehonadab''</ref> In the genealogical lists of the [[Books of Chronicles]], there is a man named ''Nadab'', whose ''brother'' is married to a person named ''Abihail'';<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Chronicles|2:28-29|KJV}}</ref> it is possible that the name ''Abigail'' (אבגיִל) is a corruption of ''Abihail'' (אֲביִהיִל), so that it more closely describes the character of the wife, since ''Abigail'' roughly means ''joy of my father'', suggesting positive characteristics, while ''Abihail'' means only ''my father is strength''.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Rather than ''the name of his wife was Abigail'' (שׁם אִשׁתּוֹ אבגיִל) the account in the Books of Samuel may have originally read ''the name of the chief of Abihail'' (שׁם שר אביהיִל), and told of a clan named ''Abihail'', which left a political alliance with the Rechabites (represented by Nabal/Nadab) to join the [[Kingdom of Judah]] (represented by David's band of men).<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Textual scholars ascribe this narrative to the ''[[republican source]]'' of the Books of Samuel (named this due to its generally negative presentation of David and Saul);<ref name="ReferenceB">''Jewish Encyclopedia'', ''Books of Samuel''</ref> the rival source, known as the ''[[monarchial source]]'', does not at first glance appear to contain a similar narrative. The same narrative position is occupied in the ''monarchial source'' by the story of a raid by [[Amalekite]]s on the town of [[Ziklag]], and the subsequent defeat of the Amalekites by David.<ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|30|KJV}}</ref> There are some similarities between the narratives: the fact that Ziklag and Maon are located in the region south of Hebron;<ref name="Peake's Commentary on the Bible">''Peake's Commentary on the Bible''</ref> David leading an army in revenge (for the Amalekite's destruction of Ziklag and capture of its population), with 400 of the army going ahead and 200 staying behind;<ref name="Peake's Commentary on the Bible"/> David gaining Abigail as a wife (though in the Ziklag narrative he re-gains her), as well as several provisions; and there being a jovial feast in the enemy camp (i.e. Nabal's property). However, there are also several differences: such as the victory and provisions being obtained by a heroic victory by David rather than Abigail's peaceful actions; the 200 that stayed behind doing so due to exhaustion rather than to protect the baggage; the main secondary character being the former slave of the enemy, rather than the wife of the enemy (Nabal); David's forces rejoining their wives rather than being joined by damsels; and the Amalekites rather than Nabal being the enemy.