1 Samuel 25:2-17

2There was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. This man was very wealthy; he owned three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. At that time he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

3The man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was both wise and beautiful, but the man was harsh and his deeds were evil. He was a Calebite.

4When David heard in the desert that Nabal was shearing his sheep,

5he sent ten servants, saying to them, “Go up to Carmel to see Nabal and give him greetings in my name.

6Then you will say to my brother, “Peace to you and your house! Peace to all that is yours!

7Now I hear that they are shearing sheep for you. When your shepherds were with us, we neither insulted them nor harmed them the whole time they were in Carmel.

8Ask your own servants; they can tell you! May my servants find favor in your sight, for we have come at the time of a holiday. Please provide us – your servants and your son David – with whatever you can spare.”

9So David’s servants went and spoke all these words to Nabal in David’s name. Then they paused.

10But Nabal responded to David’s servants, “Who is David, and who is this son of Jesse? This is a time when many servants are breaking away from their masters!

11Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers and give them to these men? I don’t even know where they came from!”

12So David’s servants went on their way. When they had returned, they came and told David all these things.

13Then David instructed his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So each one strapped on his sword, and David also strapped on his sword. About four hundred men followed David up, while two hundred stayed behind with the equipment.

14But one of the servants told Nabal’s wife Abigail, “David sent messengers from the desert to greet our lord, but he screamed at them.

15These men were very good to us. They did not insult us, nor did we sustain any loss during the entire time we were together in the field.

16Both night and day they were a protective wall for us the entire time we were with them, while we were tending our flocks.

17Now be aware of this, and see what you can do. For disaster has been planned for our lord and his entire household. He is such a wicked person that no one tells him anything!”