Nabal

A man, in the time of the United Monarchy · named in 18 verses

the name means dolt Strong's Lexicon

Nabal, a wealthy man from Carmel, was known for his foolishness and mistreatment of David, which nearly led to his demise.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Foolish, a descendant of Caleb who dwelt at Maon (1 Sam. 25), the modern Main, 7 miles south-east of Hebron. He was "very great, and he had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats...but the man was churlish and evil in his doings." During his wanderings David came into that district, and hearing that Nabal was about to shear his sheep, he sent ten of his young men to ask "whatsoever cometh unto thy hand for thy servants." Nabal insultingly resented the demand, saying, "Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse?" (1 Sam. 25:10, 11). One of the shepherds that stood by and saw the reception David's messengers had met with, informed Abigail, Nabal's wife, who at once realized the danger that threatened her household. She forthwith proceeded to the camp of David, bringing with her ample stores of provisions (25:18). She so courteously and persuasively pled her cause that David's anger was appeased, and he said to her, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this day to meet me."

Easton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1897 — public domain, quoted in full and unedited.

Family

Partners Abigail

From STEPBible's TIPNR genealogy data. A relationship the data marks uncertain is not shown here.

First named at 1 Samuel 25:3.

See Nabal in the family tree →

Verses that name Nabal

1 Samuel 25:3 His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.
1 Samuel 25:4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep.
1 Samuel 25:5 So David sent ten young men and instructed them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel. Greet him in my name
1 Samuel 25:9 When David’s young men arrived, they relayed all these words to Nabal on behalf of David. Then they waited.
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.
1 Samuel 25:14 Meanwhile, one of Nabal’s young men informed Nabal’s wife Abigail, “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed at them.
1 Samuel 25:19 and said to her young men, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.
1 Samuel 25:25 My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.
1 Samuel 25:26 Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, since the LORD has held you back from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, may your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal.
1 Samuel 25:34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light.”
1 Samuel 25:36 When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.
1 Samuel 25:37 In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these events, and his heart failed within him, and he became like a stone.
1 Samuel 25:38 About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead.
1 Samuel 25:39 On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife.
1 Samuel 27:3 David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal.
1 Samuel 30:5 David’s two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel, had been taken captive.
2 Samuel 2:2 So David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel.
2 Samuel 3:3 his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;