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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 25:10 But Nabal asked them, "Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/25-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/09_1Sa_25_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 25:10 - David, Nabal, and Abigail" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Nabal asked them, Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? 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Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/25.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Who is this fellow David?” Nabal sneered to the young men. “Who does this son of Jesse think he is? There are lots of servants these days who run away from their masters. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/25.htm">English Standard Version</a> And Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/25.htm">King James Bible</a> And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/25.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, “Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But Nabal answered David’s servants and said, “Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are each breaking away from his master. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/25.htm">NASB 1995</a> But Nabal answered David&#8217s servants and said, &#8220Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are each breaking away from his master. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, “Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are each breaking away from his master. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But Nabal answered David’s servants and said, “Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are each breaking away from his master. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But Nabal answered David’s servants and said, “Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today, each of whom is breaking away from his master. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is Jesse’s son? Many slaves these days are running away from their masters. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Nabal asked them, &#8220Who is David? Who is Jesse&#8217s son? Many slaves these days are running away from their masters. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/25.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there are many servants now-a-days that break away every man from his master. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> This is what he said: Who does this David think he is? That son of Jesse is just one more slave on the run from his master, and there are too many of them these days. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/25.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Who is David?" Nabal answered David's servants. "Who is Jesse's son? So many servants nowadays are leaving their masters. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/25.htm">Good News Translation</a> and Nabal finally answered, "David? Who is he? I've never heard of him! The country is full of runaway slaves nowadays! <a href="/isv/1_samuel/25.htm">International Standard Version</a> Nabal answered David's servants: "Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are breaking away from their masters. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But Nabal asked them, ?Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. <a href="/net/1_samuel/25.htm">NET Bible</a> But 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! <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Nabal answered David's servants, and said, "Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants who break away from their masters these days. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there are many servants in these days that break away every man from his master. <a href="/web/1_samuel/25.htm">World English Bible</a> Nabal answered David’s servants and said, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants who break away from their masters these days. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Nabal answers the servants of David and says, “Who [is] David, and who [is] the son of Jesse? Have servants been multiplied today who are each breaking away from his master? <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Nabal answereth the servants of David and saith, 'Who is David, and who the son of Jesse? to-day have servants been multiplied who are breaking away each from his master; <a href="/slt/1_samuel/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Nabal will answer David's servants, and say, Who is David? and who the son of Jesse? this day there were many servants breaking away a man from the face of his lord.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But Nabal answering the servants of David, said: Who is David? and what is the son of Isai? servants are multiplied now a days who flee from their masters. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But Nabal, responding to the servants of David, said: “Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? Today, servants who are fleeing from their lords are increasing. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/25.htm">New American Bible</a> But Nabal answered the servants of David: “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? Nowadays there are many servants who run away from their masters. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are breaking away from their masters.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today who have broken away every man from his master. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Nabal answered and said to the Servants of David: “Who is David and who is the son of Iyshay? Today there are many Servants who rebel, each man from before his Master<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Nabal answered David's servants, and said: 'Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there are many servants now-a-days that break away every man from his master; <a href="/sep/1_samuel/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Nabal sprang up, and answered the servants of David, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jessae? Now-a-days there is abundance of servants who depart every one from his master. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/25-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=7385" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/25.htm">David, Nabal, and Abigail</a> …9When David’s young men arrived, they relayed all these words to Nabal on behalf of David. Then they waited. 10<a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: way·ya·‘an (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5037.htm" title="5037: nā·ḇāl (N-proper-ms) -- A man of Carmel. The same as nabal; dolt; Nabal, an Israelite.">But Nabal</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/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·ḏê (N-mpc) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: ḏā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: ḏā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">is David?</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: ū·mî (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Who is</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇen- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">this son of</a> <a href="/hebrew/3448.htm" title="3448: yi·šāy (N-proper-ms) -- Father of David. By Aramaic Iyshay; from the same as yesh; extant; Jishai, David's father.">Jesse?</a> <a href="/hebrew/7231.htm" title="7231: rab·bū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to cast together, i.e. Increase, especially in number; also to multiply by the myriad.">Many</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm (N-mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">these days</a> <a href="/hebrew/6555.htm" title="6555: ham·miṯ·pā·rə·ṣîm (Art:: V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-mp) -- To break through. A primitive root; to break out.">are breaking away</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê (Prep-m:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·nāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">their masters.</a> 11Why 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?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_samuel/17-28.htm">1 Samuel 17:28</a> Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!” <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">2 Samuel 20:1</a> Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” <a href="/judges/9-28.htm">Judges 9:28</a> Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech? <a href="/1_kings/12-16.htm">1 Kings 12:16</a> When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home, <a href="/2_kings/18-35.htm">2 Kings 18:35</a> Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” <a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm">2 Chronicles 13:7</a> Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them. <a href="/proverbs/18-23.htm">Proverbs 18:23</a> The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly. <a href="/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7</a> The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. <a href="/isaiah/32-5.htm">Isaiah 32:5-7</a> No longer will a fool be called noble, nor a scoundrel be respected. / 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. <a href="/isaiah/36-20.htm">Isaiah 36:20</a> Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” <a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23</a> When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” <a href="/matthew/26-63.htm">Matthew 26:63</a> But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.” <a href="/mark/11-28.htm">Mark 11:28</a> “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?” <a href="/luke/20-2.htm">Luke 20:2</a> “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” <a href="/john/7-15.htm">John 7:15</a> The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.Who is David<a href="/1_samuel/20-30.htm">1 Samuel 20:30</a> Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?<a href="/1_samuel/22-7.htm">1 Samuel 22:7,8</a> Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; … <a href="/exodus/5-2.htm">Exodus 5:2</a> And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.there be<a href="/1_samuel/22-2.htm">1 Samuel 22:2</a> And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.<a href="/ecclesiastes/7-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:10</a> Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/9-26.htm">Break</a> <a href="/joshua/9-20.htm">Breaking</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-9.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-9.htm">David's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-13.htm">Jesse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">Master</a> <a href="/judges/9-51.htm">Masters</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-12.htm">Multiplied</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-9.htm">Nabal</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-36.htm">Running</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-8.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-19.htm">Today</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-18.htm">To-Day</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/2-32.htm">Break</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/14-11.htm">Breaking</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-12.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-12.htm">David's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">Jesse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">Master</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-24.htm">Masters</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-27.htm">Multiplied</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">Nabal</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-19.htm">Running</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-32.htm">Today</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-23.htm">To-Day</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 25</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Samuel dies</a> 2. <a href="/1_samuel/25-2.htm">David in Paran sends to Nabal</a> 10. <a href="/1_samuel/25-10.htm">Provoked by Nabal's rudeness, he minds to destroy him</a> 14. <a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">Abigail understanding thereof</a> 18. <a href="/1_samuel/25-18.htm">takes a present</a> 23. <a href="/1_samuel/25-23.htm">and by her wisdom</a> 32. <a href="/1_samuel/25-32.htm">pacifies David</a> 36. <a href="/1_samuel/25-36.htm">Nabal hearing thereof, dies</a> 39. <a href="/1_samuel/25-39.htm">David takes Abigail and Ahinoam to be his wives</a> 44. <a href="/1_samuel/25-44.htm">Michal is given to Phalti</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But Nabal asked them, Nabal's question reflects his dismissive and contemptuous attitude. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, hospitality was a significant virtue, and Nabal's refusal to provide for David's men was a breach of social norms. His question is rhetorical, indicating disdain rather than a genuine inquiry. Nabal's character is contrasted with that of his wife, Abigail, who later demonstrates wisdom and discernment.“Who is David? Nabal's question implies ignorance or a deliberate slight. David was already well-known in Israel as a warrior and the anointed future king. This question can be seen as an insult, as David's reputation had been established through his victory over Goliath and his service in Saul's army. Nabal's dismissal of David's identity reflects his arrogance and lack of spiritual insight.Who is this son of Jesse? By referring to David as "the son of Jesse," Nabal emphasizes David's humble origins. This phrase might suggest Nabal's scorn for David's lack of noble lineage. In the biblical narrative, David's rise from shepherd to king is a testament to God's sovereign choice, often using the lowly to accomplish His purposes, as seen in <a href="/1_samuel/16.htm">1 Samuel 16:1-13</a>.Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. Nabal's statement reflects the social instability of the time, as Saul's reign was marked by internal strife and division. This comment could be seen as a reference to David's status as a fugitive from King Saul, who viewed David as a threat to his throne. The phrase also highlights the broader theme of loyalty and rebellion, which is prevalent throughout the books of Samuel. Nabal's words unwittingly foreshadow the eventual division of the kingdom after Solomon's reign, as seen in <a href="/1_kings/12.htm">1 Kings 12</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/n/nabal.htm">Nabal</a> A wealthy but foolish man from Maon, described as harsh and evil in his dealings. His name means "fool" in Hebrew, which reflects his character and actions in this account. 2. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, and at this time, a fugitive from King Saul. David and his men had been protecting Nabal's shepherds and flocks in the wilderness. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jesse.htm">Jesse</a> David's father, a Bethlehemite. Mentioning Jesse highlights David's humble beginnings and his lineage. 4. <a href="/topical/m/maon.htm">Maon</a> A town in the hill country of Judah, where Nabal lived. It is significant as the setting for this encounter. 5. <a href="/topical/c/carmel.htm">Carmel</a> A place near Maon where Nabal was shearing his sheep. It is the location of the feast and the initial interaction between David's men and Nabal.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride_and_foolishness.htm">The Danger of Pride and Foolishness</a> Nabal's response to David's men reflects a prideful and foolish heart. Pride can blind us to the truth and lead to destructive decisions. <a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_anointed.htm">Recognizing God's Anointed</a> Nabal's failure to recognize David as God's anointed serves as a warning to discern and respect those whom God has chosen for His purposes. <a href="/topical/r/responding_to_insults.htm">Responding to Insults</a> David's initial reaction to Nabal's insult was anger, but he ultimately chose a path of restraint and wisdom, influenced by Abigail's intervention. This teaches the importance of seeking wise counsel and responding with patience. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_providence.htm">The Role of Providence</a> God's providence is evident in the account, as He uses Abigail to prevent David from committing bloodshed. Trusting in God's timing and intervention is crucial. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_foolishness.htm">The Consequences of Foolishness</a> Nabal's account ends tragically, illustrating that foolishness and a lack of discernment can lead to one's downfall.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 25</a> <a href="/q/abigail's_role_in_david's_life.htm">What role did Abigail play in David's life?</a> <a href="/q/1_samuel_25_39-42__why_did_david_marry_abigail_so_soon.htm">1 Samuel 25:39–42 – How do we reconcile David marrying Abigail immediately after Nabal’s death with biblical laws and cultural norms on mourning and remarriage?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'pisseth'_imply_about_gender.htm">What does 'pisseth against the wall' indicate about gender roles?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_nabal_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Nabal in the Bible?</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>(10) There be many servants now a days that break away.--This evident insult indicates that Nabal was of the faction of Saul at this time--was reckoned among those who hated David. It was the report of these words, doubtless, which so furiously excited David. In Nabal, the rich sheep-master, the churlish refuser of the fairly earned gift, he saw a deadly political adversary--one who, with men like Doeg and Cush, would hunt him down like a wild beast. Without this explanation, David's wrath and determination to take such speedy and bloody vengeance on a mere selfish churl is inexplicable. With the light, however, which such an open declaration of deadly hostility on the part of Nabal throws on the transaction, the subsequent passionate conduct of David, although deeply blameable, is not difficult to understand.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 10, 11. - There be many servants, etc. Nabal would scarcely have ventured to speak in so insulting a manner if David had been at Maon, but as he had moved with his men a long distance towards the south, he. gave free vent to his rude feelings without restraint. David was to him a mere slave who had run away from his master, Saul. My bread,... my water. These are the necessaries of life, while the flesh was the special luxury provided for the festival. David's ten young men would not literally carry water to him at so great a distance, nor did Nabal mean more than our phrase "meat and drink." The use, nevertheless, of water as equivalent to drink marks the value of water in the hill country, and also the abstemious habits of the people. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/25-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But Nabal נָבָ֜ל (nā·ḇāl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5037.htm">Strong's 5037: </a> Nabal -- a man of Carmel asked וַיֹּ֔אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say them, עַבְדֵ֤י (‘aḇ·ḏê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant “Who מִ֥י (mî) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix is David? דָוִ֖ד (ḏā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse Who [is] וּמִ֣י (ū·mî) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix this son of בֶן־ (ḇen-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son Jesse? יִשָׁ֑י (yi·šāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3448.htm">Strong's 3448: </a> Jesse -- father of David Many רַבּ֣וּ (rab·bū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> To be or become much, many or great servants עֲבָדִ֔ים (‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant these days הַיּוֹם֙ (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day are breaking away הַמִּתְפָּ֣רְצִ֔ים (ham·miṯ·pā·rə·ṣîm) Article | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6555.htm">Strong's 6555: </a> To break through from מִפְּנֵ֥י (mip·pə·nê) Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face their masters. אֲדֹנָֽיו׃ (’ă·ḏō·nāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> Sovereign, controller <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-10.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 25:10 Nabal answered David's servants and said Who (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/25-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 25:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 25:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/25-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 25:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 25:11" /></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>