2 There was a man of Maon who had property in Carmel; he was very wealthy, owning three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. At the time, he was present for the shearing of his flock in Carmel.
3 The man’s name was Nabal and his wife was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and attractive, but Nabal, a Calebite, was harsh and bad-mannered.
4 While in the wilderness, David heard that Nabal was shearing his flock,
5 so he sent ten young men, instructing them: “Go up to Carmel. Pay Nabal a visit and greet him in my name.
6 Say to him, ‘Peace be with you, my brother, and with your family, and with all who belong to you.
7 I have just heard that shearers are with you. Now, when your shepherds were with us, we did them no injury, neither did they miss anything while they were in Carmel.
8 Ask your servants and they will tell you. Look kindly on these young men, since we come at a festival time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can.’”