1 Samuel 25:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.

NIV: While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep.

NASB: that David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.

CSB: While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep,

NLT: When David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep,

KJV: And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.

NKJV: When David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep,

First Samuel 25:2–8 describes David's attempt to feed his men by appealing to the shepherds they have been protecting. David and his men are enjoying temporary peace with Saul and guarding herdsmen and flocks near Carmel. The owner is the foolish Nabal, but Nabal's wife Abigail is wise and beautiful. David asks for food for his men: a token of appreciation for their service. Nabal refuses and insults David. Only Abigail's quick actions will keep David from killing them all (1 Samuel 25:9–35).

David learns to give grace to people other than King Saul. Samuel dies, and Saul temporarily leaves David alone. David and his men protect the shepherds of the foolish Nabal. When Nabal refuses to reward David, David vows revenge on him and all his male servants. Nabal's wife, Abigail, rushes to David with food and a warning that David shouldn't carry the shame of killing Nabal and the servants when he becomes king. David listens, Nabal dies, and David marries Abigail. Soon the truce will end, and David will meet Saul one last time (1 Samuel 26).

David spared Saul's life, and the grateful king gives David some peace (1 Samuel 24). God has protected David numerous times from having to fight Saul. When a wealthy fool insults David, only the fool's wife, Abigail, keeps David from destroying the entire estate. Once again, God has kept David from needless bloodshed. Saul will later break the truce, but David still refuses to kill his enemy (1 Samuel 26). When David is ready to battle Saul, God prevents it (1 Samuel 29).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 9/18/2025 7:25:56 AM