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1 Samuel 25:11 Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?"
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class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/25.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I’ve slaughtered for my shearers and give it to a band of outlaws who come from who knows where?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give <i>it</i> unto men, whom I know not whence they <i>be</i>?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give <i>it</i> to men when I do not know where they <i>are</i> from?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men when I do not know where they are from?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Am I supposed to take my bread, my water, and my meat that I butchered for my shearers and give them to these men? I don’t know where they are from.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Am I supposed to take my bread, my water, and my meat that I butchered for my shearers and give them to these men? I don’t know where they are from.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men of whom I know not whence they are?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />What makes you think I would take my bread, my water, and the meat that I've had cooked for my own servants and give it to you? Besides, I'm not sure that David sent you! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men of whom I know not whence they be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Should I take my bread, my water, and my meat that I butchered for my shearers and give them to men coming from who knows where?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I'm not going to take my bread and water, and the animals I have butchered for my sheepshearers, and give them to people who come from I don't know where!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Should I take my food, my water, and my meat that I've slaughtered for my shearers and give it to men who came from who knows where?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Should 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!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread, and my wine, and my meat that I have slaughtered for the shearers of my sheep, and give it to men who I do not know where they come from?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men, whom I know not whence they are?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread, my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don’t know where they come from?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And have I taken my bread, and my water, and my flesh, which I slaughtered for my shearers, and have given [it] to men whom I have not known where they [are] from?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and I have taken my bread, and my water, and my flesh, which I slaughtered for my shearers, and have given it to men whom I have not known whence they are!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And took I my bread and my water, and my slaughter which I slaughtered for my shearers, and gave to men whom I knew not from whence they are?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and the flesh of my cattle, which I have killed for my shearers, and give to men whom I know not whence they are? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, shall I take my bread, and my water, and the meat of the cattle that I have slain for my shearers, and give it to men, when I do not know where they are from?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Must I take my bread, my wine, my meat that I have slaughtered for my own shearers, and give them to men who come from who knows where?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall I take my bread and my water and the meat that I have butchered for my shearers, and give it to men who come from I do not know where?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men whom I know not whence they are?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />My bread and water and the meat are for my Shearers, and shall I give to men of whom I do not know from where they are?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men of whom I know not whence they are?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And shall I take my bread, and my wine, and my beasts that I have slain for my shearers, and shall I give them to men of whom I know not whence they are?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/25-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=7395" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/25.htm">David, Nabal, and Abigail</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wə·lā·qaḥ·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">Why should I take</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: laḥ·mî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">my bread</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê·may (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">water</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’êṯ (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2878.htm" title="2878: ṭiḇ·ḥā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Thing slaughtered, slaughtered meat, slaughter. Feminine of tebach and meaning the same.">and the meat</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2873.htm" title="2873: ṭā·ḇaḥ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To slaughter, butcher, slay. A primitive root; to slaughter.">I have slaughtered</a> <a href="/hebrew/1494.htm" title="1494: lə·ḡō·zə·zāy (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 1cs) -- To shear. A primitive root; to cut off; specifically to shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy.">for my shearers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·nā·ṯat·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">and give them</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: la·’ă·nā·šîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">to these men</a> <a href="/hebrew/335.htm" title="335: ’ê (Interrog) -- Where?. Perhaps from 'aiyn; where? Hence how?.">whose origin</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: miz·zeh (Prep-m:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>So David’s men turned around and went back, and they relayed to him all these words.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-27.htm">Proverbs 3:27</a></span><br />Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-15.htm">James 2:15-16</a></span><br />Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-19.htm">Luke 12:19-21</a></span><br />Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ / But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-7.htm">Deuteronomy 15:7-11</a></span><br />If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs. / Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Matthew 25:42-45</a></span><br />For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, / I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’ / And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">Galatians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. / Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-6.htm">Isaiah 32:6-8</a></span><br />For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink. / The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. / But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/9-6.htm">2 Corinthians 9:6-7</a></span><br />Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Proverbs 11:24-25</a></span><br />One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. / A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-38.htm">Luke 6:38</a></span><br />Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-13.htm">Romans 12:13</a></span><br />Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-13.htm">Proverbs 21:13</a></span><br />Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-16.htm">Hebrews 13:16</a></span><br />And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-49.htm">Ezekiel 16:49</a></span><br />Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and complacent; they did not help the poor and needy.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men, whom I know not from where they be?</p><p class="hdg">Shall I then</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/25-3.htm">1 Samuel 25:3</a></b></br> Now the name of the man <i>was</i> Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and <i>she was</i> a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man <i>was</i> churlish and evil in his doings; and he <i>was</i> of the house of Caleb.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/24-13.htm">1 Samuel 24:13</a></b></br> As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/8-17.htm">Deuteronomy 8:17</a></b></br> And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of <i>mine</i> hand hath gotten me this wealth.</p><p class="hdg">flesh [heb] slaughter </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1,2</a></b></br> Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/6-10.htm">Galatians 6:10</a></b></br> As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all <i>men</i>, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.</p><p class="hdg">whom</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">1 Samuel 25:14,15</a></b></br> But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/9-29.htm">John 9:29,30</a></b></br> We know that God spake unto Moses: <i>as for</i> this <i>fellow</i>, we know not from whence he is… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/6-9.htm">2 Corinthians 6:9</a></b></br> As unknown, and <i>yet</i> well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/22-13.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-39.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-11.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-34.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">Origin</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-26.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-7.htm">Shearers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-25.htm">Slaughtered</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-13.htm">Water</a> <a href="/judges/19-17.htm">Whence</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-7.htm">Wool-Cutters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/28-20.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-33.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-24.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-35.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-7.htm">Origin</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-18.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-23.htm">Shearers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-24.htm">Slaughtered</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-11.htm">Water</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-13.htm">Whence</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-7.htm">Wool-Cutters</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Samuel dies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/25-2.htm">David in Paran sends to Nabal</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/25-10.htm">Provoked by Nabal's rudeness, he minds to destroy him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">Abigail understanding thereof</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/25-18.htm">takes a present</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/25-23.htm">and by her wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/25-32.htm">pacifies David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/25-36.htm">Nabal hearing thereof, dies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/25-39.htm">David takes Abigail and Ahinoam to be his wives</a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/25-44.htm">Michal is given to Phalti</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Bread and water symbolize basic sustenance, and withholding them from travelers or those in need was seen as inhospitable. In the broader biblical context, hospitality is a recurring theme, as seen in <a href="/genesis/18.htm">Genesis 18</a> with Abraham's welcome of the three visitors. Nabal's refusal contrasts with the generosity expected of God's people.<p><b>and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers</b><br>The mention of meat slaughtered for shearers indicates a time of celebration and abundance, as sheep shearing was a festive occasion. This was a time when generosity was expected, especially towards those who had provided protection or service, as David's men had done for Nabal's shepherds. The cultural expectation was to share the abundance, as seen in the story of the prodigal son (<a href="/luke/15-23.htm">Luke 15:23</a>), where a feast is prepared to celebrate.<p><b>and give them to these men</b><br>Nabal's reference to "these men" shows his disdain and lack of recognition for David and his men. In the historical context, David was already anointed as the future king of Israel, and his men were not mere wanderers but warriors who had protected Nabal's flocks. This phrase highlights Nabal's ignorance or willful disregard of David's status and the protection provided.<p><b>whose origin I do not know?</b><br>This phrase underscores Nabal's dismissive attitude and lack of discernment. In the cultural context, knowing someone's origin was important for establishing trust and social connections. However, Nabal's claim of ignorance is likely disingenuous, as David's reputation was well-known. This echoes the rejection of Jesus in <a href="/john/1-10.htm">John 1:10-11</a>, where He came to His own, but they did not receive Him. Nabal's failure to recognize David's identity and role foreshadows the rejection of Christ by those who did not understand His true origin and mission.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nabal.htm">Nabal</a></b><br>A wealthy but harsh and surly man from Maon, whose name means "fool" in Hebrew. He is the central figure in this verse, refusing to help David and his men.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The future king of Israel, who at this time is fleeing from King Saul. He and his men have been protecting Nabal's shepherds and are now seeking provisions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/abigail.htm">Abigail</a></b><br>Nabal's wise and discerning wife, who later intervenes to prevent David from taking vengeance on Nabal.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/carmel.htm">Carmel</a></b><br>The location where Nabal's business operations, including sheep shearing, are taking place. It is a place of wealth and prosperity.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/shearers.htm">Shearers</a></b><br>The workers involved in the shearing of sheep, a time of festivity and abundance, which makes Nabal's refusal even more egregious.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_selfishness.htm">The Danger of Selfishness</a></b><br>Nabal's refusal to share his resources highlights the destructive nature of selfishness. As Christians, we are called to be generous and to share our blessings with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_relationships.htm">Wisdom in Relationships</a></b><br>Abigail's later intervention shows the importance of wisdom and discernment in dealing with difficult situations and people. We should seek to be peacemakers in our interactions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_provision.htm">Recognizing God's Provision</a></b><br>Nabal's failure to recognize God's provision through David's protection of his shepherds serves as a reminder to acknowledge and be grateful for God's blessings in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_foolishness.htm">The Consequences of Foolishness</a></b><br>Nabal's account warns us of the potential consequences of foolishness and pride. We should strive to live humbly and wisely, seeking God's guidance in our decisions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_david_want_revenge_on_nabal.htm">Why did David seek revenge against Nabal?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_sam_11's_saul_differ_later.htm">How does the portrayal of Saul's triumphant leadership in 1 Samuel 11 align or conflict with his later portrayal as a flawed or rejected king?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_'cast_bread'_yield_results.htm">In Ecclesiastes 11:1, how is 'casting bread upon the waters' supposed to yield a result when bread would dissolve or sink?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_1_chr_11_and_2_sam_23_lists_differ.htm">Why does the list of David's mighty men in 1 Chronicles 11 differ from similar lists in other biblical passages like 2 Samuel 23, and can both be historically accurate?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">Unto men, whom I know not.</span>--In other words, "Shall I give largesse to the enemies of my king--to a band of rebel freebooters?"<p><span class= "bld">My water.</span>--The LXX., instead of "water," read "wine." This is one of the countless alterations this version arbitrarily makes in the original sacred text. The Greek translators were puzzled at Nabal's enumeration of "water" as one of the demands of David. Its mention, however, is a mark of the accuracy of the record. Water in many parts of the East is exceedingly precious. The words of <a href="/joshua/15-19.htm" title="Who answered, Give me a blessing; for you have given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.">Joshua 15:19</a> clearly indicate the especial want of this district of Palestine, when Caleb's daughter Achsah specially prayed her father for springs of water. Its mention, however, can scarcely, as Dean Payne Smith observes, "mark the abstemious habits of the people," considering in the same chapter we find the owner of all these flocks prostrate through intoxication.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/25-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Why should I take</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלָקַחְתִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lā·qaḥ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my bread</span><br /><span class="heb">לַחְמִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(laḥ·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">water</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵימַ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(mê·may)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the meat</span><br /><span class="heb">טִבְחָתִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(ṭiḇ·ḥā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2878.htm">Strong's 2878: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thing slaughtered, slaughtered meat, slaughter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have slaughtered</span><br /><span class="heb">טָבַ֖חְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(ṭā·ḇaḥ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2873.htm">Strong's 2873: </a> </span><span class="str2">To slaughter, butcher, slay</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for my shearers,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְגֹֽזְזָ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḡō·zə·zāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1494.htm">Strong's 1494: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut off, to shear a, flock, shave the hair, to destroy an enemy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and give</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָֽתַתִּי֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·ṯat·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them to these men</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(la·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whose origin</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_335.htm">Strong's 335: </a> </span><span class="str2">Where?, how?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know?”</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדַ֔עְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/25-11.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 25:11 Shall I then take my bread (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/25-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 25:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 25:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/25-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 25:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 25:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>