1 Samuel 25:9

9 When David’s young men arrived, they relayed all these words to Nabal on behalf of David. Then they waited.

1 Samuel 25:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 25:9

And when David's young men came
To Carmel:

they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David;
they delivered their message punctually and exactly, in the very words, or however according to the purport of them, in David's name, as he enjoined them:

and ceased:
from speaking, waiting for Nabal's answer; or "they rested" {y}, from the fatigues of their journey; which they did not until they had delivered their message to Nabal, and then they took the liberty to sit down and rest themselves; but the former sense seems best, and is preferred by Maimonides ^F26.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (wxwnyw) "et quieverunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster.
F26 Moreh Nevochim par. 1. c. 67.

1 Samuel 25:9 In-Context

7 Now I hear that it is time for shearing. When your shepherds were with us, we did not harass them, and nothing of theirs was missing the whole time they were in Carmel.

8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on the day of a feast. Please give whatever you can spare to your servants and to your son David.’”

9 When David’s young men arrived, they relayed all these words to Nabal on behalf of David. Then they waited.

10 But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.

11 Why 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?”