And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.
1 Samuel 25:4 belongs to the period when David was living as a fugitive while Saul was seeking his life. It stands just after Saul had slain the priests of the Lord, when Abiathar son of Ahimelech escaped and fled to David. David received him and promised him safeguard with himself, since Saul sought both David's life and Abiathar's life. At that same time David was encamped near Nabal's possessions, where he and his men protected Nabal's flocks and shepherds from harm. The shearing of the sheep then gave the occasion for David, needing food for his men, to send a courteous request to Nabal. Nabal answered insolently and refused to share from his abundance.
1 Samuel 25:4 belongs to the period when David was living as a fugitive while Saul was seeking his life. It stands just after Saul had slain the priests of the Lord, when Abiathar son of Ahimelech escaped and fled to David. David received him and promised him safeguard with himself, since Saul sought both David's life and Abiathar's life. At that same time David was encamped near Nabal's possessions, where he and his men protected Nabal's flocks and shepherds from harm. The shearing of the sheep then gave the occasion for David, needing food for his men, to send a courteous request to Nabal. Nabal answered insolently and refused to share from his abundance.