1 Samuel 25:4

Modern

While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep.

Traditional

And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.

Literal

And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.

Latin

Cum ergo audisset David in deserto quod tonderet Nabal gregem suum,

Hebrew

English

While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep.

This story about Nabal falls between two accounts in which Saul pursued David and David spared Saul’s life. Nabal was similar to Saul.

Theme notes and profiles

Genesis 38:13
When Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,”
2 Samuel 13:23
Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, he invited all the sons of the king.

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Nabal: Wealthy Carmelite; husband of Abigail. He was known for foolishness