Context No. 2891 of 4322 · 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 25:1-8: in context

1Samuel died; and all Israel gathered themselves together and mourned for him, and buried him at his house at Ramah. Then David arose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. 2There was a man in Maon whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats; and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail. This woman was intelligent and had a beautiful face; but the man was surly and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb. 4David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. 5David sent ten young men; and David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. 6Tell him, ‘Long life to you! Peace be to you! Peace be to your house! Peace be to all that you have! 7Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds have now been with us, and we didn’t harm them. Nothing was missing from them all the time they were in Carmel. 8Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let the young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a good day. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.’”

Samuel dies, and all Israel mourns him. David withdraws to the wilderness, where a wealthy man named Nabal is shearing his sheep, a season of feasting. Nabal is harsh and surly; his wife Abigail is intelligent and gracious. David sends ten young men with a courteous greeting, peace to you and your house, reminding Nabal that David's men had protected his shepherds and asking for whatever provision he can spare on a festive day.

David's request is reasonable and respectful. His men had guarded Nabal's flocks and taken nothing, and now they ask only for a share at a time of plenty. The scene is quietly about how a person answers a fair request when he has more than enough. David comes in peace and courtesy; Nabal's refusal, which comes next, will lay bare a heart that gives nothing even to those who protected him. Gratitude and generosity, or their absence, show clearly when we are asked for something in a season of abundance.

When someone who has served me asks for a fair share in my time of plenty, does my response reveal gratitude, or a grasping heart like Nabal's?

Sources

1 Samuel 25:8: "Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants, and to your son David."
Proverbs 3:27: "Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it."
Galatians 6:10: "As we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men."