Nabal

NABAL, a very rich but very churlish Man, of but little Understanding, of the Tribe of Judah, and of the Race of Caleb, whose ordinary Dwelling was probably at Maon, one of the most southern Cities of Judah, and who had a great Number of Flocks upon Mount Carmel, not far from Maon. This Carmel is very different from the other Mount Carmel, upon the Coast of the Mediterranean Sea, between Dora and Ptolemais. Whilst David was out of Favour with Saul¹, he was obliged to withdraw into the Wilderness of Paran, and near to Carmel; where he always took great Care, that none of his Followers should do Nabal any Injury, but rather that they should assist his Shepherds and Herdsmen as much as they could. Being therefore informed that Nabal was come thither to shear his Sheep, he sent ten young Men of his Company to him, to make his Compliments to him, and to ask him civilly for something to refresh himself and Followers. But Nabal answered them, ” Who is ” David, and who is the Son of Jesse? ” We are pestered every Day with Servants ” that run away from their Masters. Shall ” I take the Flesh of my Sheep, and the ” Provisions I have brought for my own ” Servants, and shall I give it away to ” Strangers?” The Men that David had sent went back, and acquainted him with Nabal’s churlish Answer.

Then David in Anger caused four Hundred of his People to arm themselves, and went with a Resolution to put Nabal and all his Family to the Sword. But in the Interim one of Nabal’s Servants having acquainted his Wife Abigail with what had passed, who was a very wise and prudent Woman; and told her also that David’s People had been very useful to ‘em while they were in the Desart of Paran, and that they well deserved that at least Nabal should not affront them, and that it was much to be feared that David, who had the Power in his own Hands, would soon take Revenge for this Insult. Abigail presently prepared Provisions and Refreshments, which she sent to David; and she her self got up upon an Ass, unknown to Nabal, and went to make Excuses to David. She met him coming with his Men armed, with a Resolution of putting the whole Family of Nabal to the Sword; but she found Means by her prudent Discourse so far to work upon him, that he gave Thanks to God for sending her to appease his Anger.

Abigail then returned to Nabal, and found him in his House making a Feast as it were for a Prince. His Heart swelled with Joy, and he had drank so much as to be quite drunk. Abigail said nothing to him till Morning; but after he had slept, she told him of the Danger he had been in. This Account had such Effect upon him, that he became as immovable as a Stone, and his Heart was so possessed with Fear, that he died of it in ten Days. David having heard of his Death, said; ” Thanks ” to the Lord, who has revenged me on ” Nabal, for the outrageous Manner in ” which he has treated me; and who has ” not suffered me to revenge my self, for ” the Injury that had been done me.” Some Time after he sent to demand Abigail in Marriage, which she not refusing, he took her to Wife. Nabal in the Original signifies a Fool or Madman.

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