9 When David's men arrived, they gave Nabal the message from David. Then they waited.
10 Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are running away from their masters these days.
11 Why should I give away my bread and water? Why should I give away the meat I've prepared for those who clip the wool off my sheep? Why should I give food to men who come from who knows where?"
12 So David's men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported to David every word Nabal had spoken.
13 David said to his men, "Put on your swords!" So they put their swords on. David put his on too. About 400 men went up with David. Two hundred men stayed behind with the supplies.
14 One of the servants warned Nabal's wife Abigail. He said, "David sent some messengers from the desert to give his greetings to our master. But Nabal shouted at them and made fun of them.
15 "David's men had been very good to us. They treated us well. The whole time we were near them out in the fields, nothing was stolen.