Nabal נָבָל
Wealthy Carmelite; husband of Abigail. He was known for foolishness.
Who is Nabal in the Bible?
Nabal was a wealthy landowner from Carmel during the time of King David, described in 1 Samuel 25 as a foolish and harsh man despite his considerable riches. When David and his men, who had been protecting Nabal's shepherds and flocks in the wilderness, requested provisions during sheep-shearing season, Nabal rudely refused and insulted them, provoking David to threaten violence against him and his household (1Sa.25.3-11). Nabal's wife Abigail, a wise and discerning woman, learned of his foolishness and intervened by bringing David generous gifts and appealing for mercy, which prevented bloodshed (1Sa.25.18-31). Shortly after this encounter, God struck Nabal down, and he died (1Sa.25.36-38), after which Abigail became David's wife (1Sa.25.39-42). Nabal's story illustrates how foolish pride and ingratitude can lead to destruction, while also highlighting the importance of wise intervention and mercy.
Biography
Nabal was a wealthy man from Carmel who lived during the time of King David. He is described as a Calebite, indicating his descent from the tribe of Judah. Nabal was married to Abigail, a beautiful and intelligent woman (1Sa.25.3).
Despite his wealth, Nabal was known for his harsh and foolish behavior. When David and his men, who had been protecting Nabal's shepherds and flocks, requested provisions, Nabal rudely refused, insulting David and his men (1Sa.25.4-11). This foolish act provoked David to seek revenge, threatening to kill Nabal and all the males in his household.
Abigail, upon learning of her husband's foolishness, quickly intervened. She gathered a generous supply of food and went out to meet David, apologizing for Nabal's behavior and pleading for mercy (1Sa.25.18-31). Her wise actions and words appeased David, who relented from his plan to attack Nabal's household.
When Abigail informed Nabal of how close he had come to disaster, his heart failed him, and he became like a stone. About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal, and he died (1Sa.25.36-38). After Nabal's death, David sent for Abigail and married her (1Sa.25.39-42).
Nabal's story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of foolishness, selfishness, and mistreating others. It also highlights the wisdom and courage of Abigail, who acted decisively to protect her household and make peace with David.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books1 Samuel 5 verses
- 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."
2 Samuel 2 verses
- 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;"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | נָבָל |
Nabal
and wicked man (1Sa 25:2). When David was a fugitive from Saul, he and his followers sought refuge in the wilderness of Paran, near the possessions of Nabal, and protected the latter's flocks and herds from the marauding Bedouin. David felt that some compensation was due him for such services (1Sa 25:15, 25), so, at the time of sheep-shearing--an occasion of great festivities among sheep masters--he sent 10 of his young men to Nabal to solicit gifts of food for himself and his small band of warriors. Nabal not only refused any assistance or presents, but sent back insulting words to David, whereupon the latter, becoming very angry, determined upon the extermination of Nabal and his household and dispatched 400 men to execute his purpose. Abigail, Nabal's wife, a woman of wonderful sagacity and prudence as well as of great beauty, having learned of her husband's conduct and of David's intentions, hurriedly proceeded, with a large supply of provisions, dainties and wine, to meet David and to apologize for her husband's unkind words and niggardliness, and thus succeeded in thwarting the bloody and revengeful plans of Israel's future king. Upon her return home she found her husband in the midst of a great celebration ("like the feast of a king"), drunken with wine, too intoxicated to realize his narrow escape from the sword of David. On the following morning, when sober, having heard the report of his wife, he was so overcome with fear that he never recovered from the shock, but died 10 days later (1Sa 25:36-38). When David heard about his death, he sent for Abigail, who soon afterward became one of his wives.y Paul) make use of expressions and analogies derived from the mystery-religions; but, so far as our present evidence goes, we cannot agree that the pagan cults exercised a central or formative influence on them.
W. W. Davies
nab-a-ri'-as (Nabarias B, Nabareias): One of those who stood upon Ezra's left hand as he expounded the Law (1 Esdras 9:44). Esdras (loc. cit.) gives only 6 names, whereas Nehemiah (8:4) gives 7. It is probable that t