1 Samuel 25:2

KJV

¶ And [there was] a man in Maon, whose possessions [were] in Carmel; and the man [was] very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there was a man {H376} in Maon {H4584}, whose possessions {H4639} were in Carmel {H3760}; and the man {H376} was very {H3966} great {H1419}, and he had three {H7969} thousand {H505} sheep {H6629}, and a thousand {H505} goats {H5795}: and he was shearing {H1494} his sheep {H6629} in Carmel {H3760}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now there was a man in Ma'on who had property in Karmel. He was very rich, having three thousand sheep and a thousand goats; and he was shearing his sheep in Karmel.

Berean Standard Bible

Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel.

American Standard Version

And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Samuel 25:2 introduces Nabal, a man of immense wealth residing in Maon, whose vast possessions, including thousands of sheep and goats, were managed in nearby Carmel. This verse meticulously sets the scene for a pivotal encounter in David's wilderness sojourn, highlighting Nabal's significant material prosperity and the specific context of the annual sheep-shearing festival—an occasion traditionally marked by feasting and generosity—that would soon bring him into conflict with David and his men.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a significant turning point in David's life—the death of Samuel, the prophet who had anointed him king. With Samuel gone, David's position as an outlaw becomes even more precarious, and he moves to the wilderness of Paran, a region bordering the southern Judahite hill country. The introduction of Nabal and his immense wealth in 1 Samuel 25:2 sets the stage for a critical episode that tests David's leadership, his reliance on God's provision, and his capacity for self-control, particularly in the face of provocation. The narrative of Nabal, Abigail, and David serves as a crucial interlude before David's final confrontations with Saul and his eventual ascent to the throne, demonstrating God's continued care for His anointed even in difficult circumstances.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Maon and Carmel were towns located in the arid southern hill country of Judah, not far from Hebron. This region was suitable for pasturing large flocks, making Nabal's extensive livestock holdings a testament to his significant economic power and social standing. Sheep shearing was far more than a mere economic activity; it was a major annual event, akin to a harvest festival. It was a time of great celebration, feasting, and often, generosity. Landowners would typically provide hospitality and provisions for their workers and even for those who had protected their flocks throughout the year. David, leading a company of some 600 men ([1 Samuel 23:13](/1_samuel/23-13 "1 Samuel 23:13 - David's Men")), would have had a legitimate expectation of provisions from a wealthy landowner like Nabal, especially given that David's men had likely provided protection for Nabal's flocks from raiders in the wilderness ([1 Samuel 25:7](/1_samuel/25-7 "1 Samuel 25:7 - David's Protection of Nabal's Flocks")). Nabal's subsequent churlish refusal to share was not merely impolite but a profound social and moral affront.

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous description of Nabal's wealth in this verse immediately establishes the theme of **material prosperity** and sets up the dramatic contrast with David's immediate need. Nabal's "very great" status, derived from his vast possessions, highlights the biblical tension between **earthly riches and true wisdom or righteousness**. The mention of "shearing his sheep in Carmel" introduces the theme of **hospitality and generosity**, or the lack thereof, which becomes central to the chapter. This annual event was a customary time for landowners to extend provisions, making Nabal's later refusal a blatant violation of social norms and a demonstration of his "worthless" character ([1 Samuel 25:25](/1_samuel/25-25 "1 Samuel 25:25 - Abigail's Description of Nabal")). Ultimately, the verse also subtly introduces the theme of **divine provision**, as Nabal's refusal ultimately leads to God's intervention through Abigail and His judgment upon Nabal, ensuring David's needs are met and his path to kingship remains untarnished by personal vengeance ([1 Samuel 25:39](/1_samuel/25-39 "1 Samuel 25:39 - David's Praise for God's Intervention")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Maon (Hebrew, _Ma'on'_):** Meaning "dwelling place" or "habitation," Maon was a town in the southern part of Judah's hill country, southeast of Hebron. It served as Nabal's primary residence, indicating his established roots and local prominence. The specific mention of Maon grounds Nabal's identity and wealth within a defined geographical and social context, emphasizing his local influence.
* **Carmel (Hebrew, _Karmel'_):** Meaning "garden land" or "fruitful place," this Carmel (distinct from Mount Carmel in the north) was a town and surrounding fertile area also in the southern Judahite hill country, very near Maon. It was known for its suitability for pasturing and agriculture. The fact that Nabal's "possessions were in Carmel" and he was "shearing his sheep in Carmel" indicates that this was the center of his economic activity and the place where his immense wealth was actively managed and harvested.
* **very great (Hebrew, _gadol me'od'_):** This phrase literally means "great exceedingly" or "very much great." In this context, it refers not merely to physical size but to Nabal's immense wealth, social standing, and influence. It immediately establishes him as a man of significant stature in the community, setting up a stark contrast with his later revealed character as a "fool" (Nabal's name literally means "fool" or "senseless"). His "greatness" is purely material, foreshadowing the narrative's critique of such superficial greatness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [there was] a man in Maon":** This introduces the central human figure of the immediate narrative, Nabal, establishing his primary residence and local identity. The simple introduction belies the complexity of the character about to be revealed.
* **"whose possessions [were] in Carmel":** This clause clarifies that while Maon was his home, the bulk of his economic assets—his livestock and associated lands—were concentrated and managed in the fertile area of Carmel, underscoring the foundation of his wealth.
* **"and the man [was] very great":** This is a direct, emphatic assessment of Nabal's status. "Very great" points to his considerable wealth, influence, and social standing within his community, derived directly from his vast material possessions.
* **"and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats":** This provides concrete, quantifiable evidence of Nabal's immense wealth. In ancient Israel, livestock was a primary measure of prosperity, and these numbers indicate an extraordinary fortune, placing him among the wealthiest individuals of his time.
* **"and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.":** This final clause sets the specific event and location that triggers the unfolding drama. Sheep shearing was a festive, communal, and economically significant occasion, traditionally associated with feasting and generosity, making it the opportune moment for David to seek provisions.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Setting** to ground the narrative, specifying Maon as Nabal's residence and Carmel as the location of his wealth and the shearing event. This geographical precision adds realism and highlights the local prominence of Nabal. **Foreshadowing** is subtly present; the detailed description of Nabal's immense wealth and the specific timing of the sheep shearing (a time of expected generosity) implicitly foreshadow the coming conflict with David, who, as an outlaw, would naturally seek provisions from such a rich landowner during a festive period. There's also an element of **Irony** in the description of Nabal as "very great." While materially great, the subsequent narrative reveals him to be morally and spiritually "foolish" (as his name implies), creating a stark contrast between his outward status and his inner character. Finally, the use of **Numerical Detail** ("three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats") serves to emphasize the sheer scale of Nabal's prosperity, making his later churlishness all the more egregious.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Samuel 25:2, by meticulously detailing Nabal's immense wealth, immediately sets the stage for a profound theological examination of stewardship and the dangers of avarice. In a society where wealth was often seen as a sign of divine blessing, Nabal's story serves as a cautionary tale that material abundance, without wisdom and generosity, can lead to spiritual poverty and destruction. His "greatness" is defined solely by possessions, a stark contrast to the biblical understanding of true greatness found in character, righteousness, and humble service. The narrative highlights that God's provision for His people often comes through human means, and Nabal's refusal to share with David's men, who had protected his flocks, was not just a social slight but a failure to recognize a divine opportunity for generosity. This episode ultimately underscores God's sovereignty in providing for His anointed, even when human channels fail, demonstrating that His plans will not be thwarted by human folly or greed.

* [Proverbs 11:24](/proverbs/11-24 "Proverbs 11:24 - Generosity Leads to Prosperity")
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Guard Against All Covetousness")
* [1 Timothy 6:17-19](/1_timothy/6-17 "1 Timothy 6:17-19 - The Proper Use of Wealth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nabal's introduction in 1 Samuel 25:2, with its emphasis on his "very great" wealth, immediately challenges us to examine our own relationship with material possessions. In a world that often equates worth with wealth, Nabal's story reminds us that true greatness is not measured by what we accumulate, but by how we steward what we have been given, particularly in our generosity and compassion towards others. His vast resources, rather than fostering a spirit of hospitality and shared blessing, became a source of self-centeredness and foolishness. This verse invites us to reflect on whether our own "possessions" serve as a means to bless others and honor God, or if they foster a spirit of hoarding and isolation. It prompts us to consider how we respond when opportunities arise to extend kindness and provision, especially to those in need or to those who have served us, recognizing that every resource is ultimately a gift from God. The narrative of Nabal is a powerful reminder that while prosperity can be a blessing, it also carries a profound responsibility to use our resources wisely and generously, reflecting the character of a benevolent God rather than the self-serving nature of a fool.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on Nabal's wealth in this verse challenge my own understanding of "greatness" or "success"?**
* **In what ways might my own possessions or resources tempt me towards self-centeredness rather than generosity?**
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of open-handedness and hospitality, even when it might feel inconvenient or costly?**
* **What does Nabal's story teach me about the responsibility that comes with abundance?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of sheep shearing in ancient Israel, as mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: Sheep shearing was a major annual event in ancient Israel, far more than just an agricultural task. It was a time of great celebration and feasting, akin to a harvest festival, marking the culmination of a year's work with the flocks. Landowners like Nabal would typically host a large feast for their workers and often extend hospitality to guests or those who had provided protection for their flocks. It was a period of abundance and generosity, making Nabal's subsequent refusal to share with David's men particularly egregious and a violation of established social customs, as highlighted by Abigail's actions later in the chapter ([1 Samuel 25:18-19](/1_samuel/25-18 "1 Samuel 25:18 - Abigail's Generosity")).

**Why is Nabal's wealth emphasized so strongly in this introductory verse?**

Answer: The strong emphasis on Nabal's immense wealth ("very great," "three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats") serves several crucial narrative and thematic purposes. Firstly, it immediately establishes Nabal's high social standing and economic power, setting him up as a significant figure. Secondly, and more importantly, it creates a stark contrast with David's immediate need and the expectations of hospitality during the sheep-shearing festival. This contrast highlights Nabal's churlishness and lack of generosity, making his refusal to provide for David's men all the more offensive. Ultimately, it also sets the stage for divine judgment, demonstrating that God is not impressed by material wealth alone, especially when it is accompanied by foolishness and a lack of compassion ([Proverbs 28:27](/proverbs/28-27 "Proverbs 28:27 - Giving to the Poor")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The introduction of Nabal in 1 Samuel 25:2, a man defined by his vast earthly possessions and "greatness," stands in stark contrast to the true "greatness" embodied by Jesus Christ. Nabal's wealth, measured in sheep and goats, ultimately led to his self-indulgence and foolishness, demonstrating the futility of riches hoarded for self. In contrast, Jesus, though "rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). He is the ultimate Good Shepherd, not merely possessing sheep but laying down His life for them ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd")). While Nabal refused to share his abundance, Jesus offers Himself as the bread of life, freely giving all that He has to sustain His people ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")). The sheep shearing, a time of feasting and provision, foreshadows the ultimate feast of salvation provided by the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Nabal's material greatness proved to be a curse, leading to his swift demise, whereas Christ's humble service and sacrificial love established an eternal kingdom, demonstrating that true greatness is found not in accumulating wealth, but in self-giving love and obedience to God ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")).

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

1 Samuel 23:24

And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men [were] in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

Joshua 15:55

Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,

Genesis 38:13

And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

Luke 16:19

¶ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Luke 16:25

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Job 1:3

His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Genesis 26:13

And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: