1 Samuel 25:2

¶ 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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

1 Samuel 25:2 introduces a key figure in the dramatic narrative of David's wilderness years. This verse sets the scene by describing a man named Nabal, whose immense wealth and possessions are highlighted, along with the significant annual event of sheep shearing.

Context

This verse immediately precedes the introduction of Nabal and Abigail, whose interactions with David form a crucial episode in David's flight from King Saul. Maon and Carmel were towns located in the southern hill country of Judah, known for their suitability for pasturing livestock. While Maon was the man's primary residence, his extensive possessions, including thousands of sheep and goats, were kept and sheared in the fertile area of Carmel. Sheep shearing was not just an economic activity but also a festive occasion, often marked by feasting and hospitality, similar to a harvest festival. This context is vital for understanding David's expectation of provisions from Nabal and Nabal's subsequent egregious refusal.

Key Themes

  • Immense Wealth and Prosperity: The verse immediately establishes Nabal's significant status through his vast livestock holdings—three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. In ancient Israel, such possessions were a clear indicator of great wealth and influence, placing Nabal among the most affluent individuals of his time. This description sets the stage for the narrative, emphasizing the stark contrast between Nabal's abundance and David's immediate need.
  • Setting the Scene for Conflict: The mention of "shearing his sheep in Carmel" is crucial. This annual event was a time of feasting and generosity, when landowners would often provide hospitality and provisions for their workers and even visitors. David, leading a company of men in the wilderness, naturally sought provisions during this time of plenty, making Nabal's later churlishness particularly offensive.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text of 1 Samuel 25:2 is quite direct and descriptive, focusing on quantifiable aspects of wealth. There are no complex Hebrew terms in this verse that require specific linguistic nuance beyond their direct translation. The phrase "very great" (Hebrew: gadol me'od) simply emphasizes his considerable standing and power, derived from his substantial assets.

Practical Application

Nabal's story, beginning with this description of his wealth, serves as a cautionary tale. While material prosperity is not inherently evil, this verse, in light of the subsequent narrative, implicitly challenges us to consider how we manage our own resources and whether our wealth leads to generosity or self-centeredness. The Bible often cautions that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions, and Nabal's character exemplifies the danger of riches without wisdom or compassion. True greatness, from a biblical perspective, is not merely in accumulated possessions, but in one's character, generosity, and relationship with God and others, a stark contrast to Nabal's eventual demise as a result of his foolishness (1 Samuel 25:38).

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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 23:24 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,

  • Genesis 38:13 (5 votes)

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

  • Luke 16:19 (5 votes)

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

  • Luke 16:25 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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