Bible Strands

1 Samuel 25:5

So David sent ten young men and instructed them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel. Greet him in my name

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — David instructs ten young men to travel to Carmel while he remains in the wilderness, acting after hearing that Nabal is shearing sheep. He directs them to deliver a formal greeting on his behalf to Nabal.

The words — The verb וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֥ח (va/i.yish.lach) literally means "and he sent," marking the initiation of the mission. The imperative עֲל֤וּ ('a.Lu) translates to "go up," specifying the physical ascent toward Nabal's location.

The thread — This delegation of personnel mirrors David's earlier supply arrangements in 1 Samuel 17:22 and reflects the stewardship model in Genesis 43:23. The structured sending of messengers with prescribed greetings functions as a recurring diplomatic protocol in biblical narrative.

Why it lands — The text records a commander using delegated authority and formal communication before direct engagement. It requires readers to observe how leadership establishes protocol and prepares for potential encounters through structured instruction.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:

Cross-references

People named

DavidNabal

Places named

Carmel