1 Samuel 25:4

4 David, out in the backcountry, heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep

1 Samuel 25:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 25:4

And David heard in the wilderness
In the wilderness of Paran, where he was, and a wilderness it was to him, being in want of food, as the following relation shows:

that Nabal did shear his sheep;
when there was generally good living, and so a proper person, and a proper time, for David to apply for the relief of his wants.

1 Samuel 25:4 In-Context

2 There was a certain man in Maon who carried on his business in the region of Carmel. He was very prosperous - three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, and it was sheep-shearing time in Carmel.
3 The man's name was Nabal (Fool), a Calebite, and his wife's name was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and good-looking, the man brutish and mean.
4 David, out in the backcountry, heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep
5 and sent ten of his young men off with these instructions: "Go to Carmel and approach Nabal. Greet him in my name, 'Peace!
6 Life and peace to you. Peace to your household, peace to everyone here!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.