1 Samuel 25:11

KJV

Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give [it] unto men, whom I know not whence they [be]?

KJV (with Strong's)

Shall I then take {H3947} my bread {H3899}, and my water {H4325}, and my flesh {H2878} that I have killed {H2873} for my shearers {H1494}, and give {H5414} it unto men {H582}, whom I know {H3045} not whence they be?

Complete Jewish Bible

Am I supposed to take my bread, my water and my meat that I slaughtered for my shearers and give it to men coming from who knows where?"

Berean Standard Bible

Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”

American Standard Version

Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men of whom I know not whence they are?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 25:11 captures the infamous and contemptuous retort of Nabal, a wealthy but churlish Calebite, to David's polite request for provisions during the sheep-shearing season. This verse starkly illustrates Nabal's profound lack of hospitality, his arrogant disregard for common courtesy, and his disdain for David and his men, whom he dismisses as unknown vagrants. Nabal's self-centered refusal and insulting tone directly precipitate a crisis that nearly results in violent retribution from David, setting the stage for divine judgment and the pivotal intervention of Nabal's wise wife, Abigail.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the larger narrative of 1 Samuel 25, which serves as a significant interlude in David's flight from King Saul. Immediately preceding this, David, having protected Nabal's vast flocks and shepherds in the wilderness, sends ten young men to Nabal to request provisions, a customary expectation during the festive sheep-shearing season. Nabal's harsh and insulting response in [1 Samuel 25:11](/1_samuel/25-11 "1 Samuel 25:11 - Nabal's Contemptuous Refusal") directly contrasts with David's respectful appeal and sets the stage for David's furious reaction, where he arms 400 of his men to exact vengeance ([1 Samuel 25:13](/1_samuel/25-13 "1 Samuel 25:13 - David Prepares for Vengeance")). The subsequent narrative focuses on Abigail's swift and wise intervention, her appeasement of David, and Nabal's ultimate demise, highlighting themes of wisdom versus folly, and divine justice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the wilderness of Paran and Maon, a semi-arid region where nomadic pastoralism was common. Sheep shearing was a time of celebration and feasting, akin to a harvest festival, where generosity and hospitality were expected, especially towards those who had provided protection. David and his men, though fugitives, had acted as a protective "wall" around Nabal's shepherds and flocks, safeguarding them from raiders ([1 Samuel 25:16](/1_samuel/25-16 "1 Samuel 25:16 - David as a Wall of Protection")). In ancient Near Eastern culture, such protection often warranted a reciprocal payment or gift, making David's request not merely a plea for charity but a legitimate claim based on services rendered. Nabal's refusal thus violated deeply ingrained social norms of patronage, hospitality, and gratitude, making his response not just rude but a profound insult and a dangerous provocation.
* **Key Themes:** Nabal's words in this verse powerfully articulate several key themes. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Inhospitality and Arrogance**. Nabal's character, described as "harsh and evil in his dealings" ([1 Samuel 25:3](/1_samuel/25-3 "1 Samuel 25:3 - Nabal's Character")), is fully displayed as he hoards his wealth and shows contempt for those who had guarded his assets. Secondly, the verse highlights **Disdain for Others and Lack of Gratitude**. Nabal's dismissive question, "whom I know not whence they be," is a scornful rejection of David's legitimate status and a profound insult to his men, revealing his pride and ungratefulness for their protective services. Finally, this episode serves as a vivid illustration of the **Consequences of Selfishness and Foolishness**. Nabal's actions in [1 Samuel 25:11](/1_samuel/25-11 "1 Samuel 25:11 - Nabal's Contempt") directly lead to David's wrath and, ultimately, to Nabal's divine judgment and death ([1 Samuel 25:38](/1_samuel/25-38 "1 Samuel 25:38 - The Lord Strikes Nabal")), demonstrating that a lack of generosity and respect can have severe and fatal repercussions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** While literally meaning "bread," _lechem_ often functions as a synecdoche for all provisions or food in general. Nabal's specific mention of "my bread, and my water, and my flesh" emphasizes his proprietary claim over even the most basic necessities, highlighting his covetousness and unwillingness to share anything, even what might be considered "common" or expected hospitality. It underscores his perception of his resources as exclusively his own, rather than a gift from God or a means to extend generosity.
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _basar'_):** Refers to the meat, specifically from animals, which would have been a significant and valuable commodity, especially during a sheep-shearing feast. Nabal's emphasis on "my flesh that I have killed for my shearers" is a rhetorical flourish designed to emphasize the effort and expense he put into providing for his own workers, thereby justifying his refusal to share with outsiders. It highlights his self-centered focus and his exclusion of David's men from his circle of responsibility or generosity.
* **Know not whence they [be] (Hebrew, _mi hēm w'ē-zeh hēmmāh'_):** This is a highly dismissive and insulting rhetorical question, literally "who are they? And from where are they?" It is not a genuine inquiry but a scornful way of saying, "I don't know them, and I don't care where they come from; they are nobodies." This phrase encapsulates Nabal's contempt, his refusal to acknowledge David's reputation or legitimate claim, and his arrogant dismissal of anyone he deems beneath him or outside his immediate concern. It reflects his profound lack of respect and his self-inflated sense of importance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers":** This opening clause is a rhetorical question, posed by Nabal, designed to justify his refusal. The repeated possessive "my" ("my bread," "my water," "my flesh") strongly emphasizes his sense of ownership and his unwillingness to part with his possessions. The phrase "that I have killed for my shearers" highlights his perceived effort and the intended recipients of his generosity—only those directly in his employ. This demonstrates his narrow, self-serving view of his resources and obligations.
* **"and give [it] unto men, whom I know not whence they [be]?":** This concluding clause reveals the depth of Nabal's contempt and arrogance. His dismissive characterization of David and his men as "men, whom I know not whence they [be]" is a profound insult. It implies they are vagrants, unknown, and therefore unworthy of his hospitality or resources. This statement is not a genuine question about their origin but a scornful rhetorical device to belittle David's status and dismiss his legitimate request, revealing Nabal's pride and lack of gratitude for the protection David had provided.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Rhetorical Question**, as Nabal poses a question not to elicit information but to assert his refusal and justify his selfishness. This rhetorical device underscores his arrogance and contempt. There is also strong **Irony** present; Nabal claims not to "know whence they be," yet David's reputation and his protective services were well-known in the region, making Nabal's feigned ignorance a deliberate insult. The verse also employs **Repetition** of the possessive pronoun "my" ("my bread," "my water," "my flesh"), which powerfully emphasizes Nabal's covetousness and his self-centered worldview. Finally, **Contrast** is evident between Nabal's expected generosity during the sheep-shearing feast and his actual, shockingly inhospitable response, setting him apart as a man of profound folly.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nabal's contemptuous refusal in 1 Samuel 25:11 serves as a profound theological warning against the dangers of covetousness, pride, and a complete lack of hospitality. His actions reveal a heart that views all possessions as solely his own, rather than as resources entrusted by God for generous stewardship. This self-centeredness not only violates the ancient Near Eastern cultural expectations of hospitality but also stands in direct opposition to biblical principles of sharing, generosity, and valuing others, especially those who serve or are in need. Nabal's folly highlights the spiritual blindness that accompanies arrogance, preventing him from recognizing legitimate claims or extending grace, ultimately leading to his swift and divinely ordained demise.

* [Proverbs 28:27](/proverbs/28-27 "Proverbs 28:27 - Giving to the Poor")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")
* [Hebrews 13:2](/hebrews/13-2 "Hebrews 13:2 - Do Not Forget Hospitality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nabal's character and his infamous words in this verse offer a potent mirror for self-examination. His refusal to share, his prideful assertion of ownership, and his dismissive attitude towards those who had served him are stark reminders of the dangers of a self-focused life. In a world that often celebrates accumulation and self-sufficiency, Nabal's story calls us to cultivate a spirit of generosity, recognizing that all we possess is ultimately a gift from God, to be stewarded for His glory and for the good of others. It challenges us to examine our hearts: do we hoard our resources, or do we share them freely? Do we extend hospitality and gratitude, or do we dismiss those we deem "unworthy"? Nabal's folly reminds us that true wealth lies not in what we accumulate, but in how we use our resources to honor God and bless our neighbors, fostering relationships built on respect and generosity rather than contempt and self-interest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be like Nabal, holding tightly to my "bread, water, and flesh" and failing to extend generosity to others, especially those who have served me or are in need?**
* **How does Nabal's dismissive attitude ("whom I know not whence they be") challenge me to look beyond superficial appearances or perceived status when encountering others?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to cultivate a more generous and hospitable spirit in my daily life, reflecting God's character rather than Nabal's?**

### FAQ
**Why was Nabal's response so offensive to David, beyond just a refusal to share food?**

Answer: Nabal's response was deeply offensive because it violated several deeply ingrained cultural and social norms of the ancient Near East, transforming a simple refusal into a profound insult. Firstly, David's request was not merely for charity but was a legitimate claim based on the protective services he and his men had provided to Nabal's vast flocks and shepherds in the wilderness ([1 Samuel 25:16](/1_samuel/25-16 "1 Samuel 25:16 - David's Protection of Nabal's Flocks")). This was a form of patronage, and reciprocation was expected. Secondly, the sheep-shearing season was traditionally a time of feasting and widespread generosity, making Nabal's stinginess particularly egregious. Thirdly, Nabal's dismissive question, "whom I know not whence they [be]?" was a direct and public insult to David's status and reputation. David was a well-known figure, a military leader, and a fugitive from King Saul. To pretend ignorance of his identity and to label his men as mere vagrants was a profound act of disrespect and contempt, challenging David's honor and authority. This combination of ingratitude, violation of social custom, and personal insult is what provoked David's furious reaction ([1 Samuel 25:13](/1_samuel/25-13 "1 Samuel 25:13 - David's Furious Response")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nabal's arrogant self-sufficiency and profound inhospitality stand in stark contrast to the ultimate act of generosity and welcome found in Jesus Christ. Nabal hoarded his "bread, water, and flesh," refusing to share even what was rightfully owed, and dismissing those in need. Conversely, Jesus, the true Bread of Life, freely offers Himself, His very "flesh and blood," for the life of the world ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Living Bread")). While Nabal scornfully asked, "whom I know not whence they [be]," Jesus welcomes all who come to Him, regardless of their past or origin, proclaiming that "whoever comes to me I will never drive away" ([John 6:37](/john/6-37 "John 6:37 - Jesus Welcomes All")). Nabal's story foreshadows the judgment that awaits those who live in selfish disregard for others and for God's call to generosity, echoing the parable of the rich fool who hoarded his wealth for himself ([Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")). In Christ, we see the ultimate fulfillment of divine hospitality and selfless love, where God Himself, in His Son, extends an open invitation to a feast of grace, offering eternal provisions to those who were once "strangers and aliens" but are now "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Citizens with the Saints")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 8:6

And the princes of Succoth said, [Are] the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?

Galatians 6:10

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1 Peter 4:9

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

Psalms 73:7

Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Psalms 73:8

They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.

1 Samuel 24:13

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

1 Samuel 25:14

But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.