1 Samuel died, and people from all over Israel gathered to mourn for him when he was buried at his home in Ramah. Meanwhile, David moved his camp to Paran Desert.
2-3 Nabal was a very rich man who lived in Maon. He owned three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, which he kept at Carmel. His wife Abigail was sensible and beautiful, but he was from the Caleb clan and was rough and mean.
4 One day, Nabal was in Carmel, while his servants cut the wool from his sheep. David was in the desert when he heard about it.
5-6 So he sent ten men to Carmel with this message for Nabal:I hope that you and your family are healthy and that all is going well for you.
7 I've heard that you are cutting the wool from your sheep.When your shepherds were with us in Carmel, we didn't harm them, and nothing was ever stolen from them.
8 Ask your shepherds, and they'll tell you the same thing.My servants are your servants, and you are like a father to me. This is a day for celebrating, so please be kind and share some of your food with us.