1 Samuel 25 2

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.

1 Samuel 25:2 nkjv

Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

1 Samuel 25:2 niv

A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel.

1 Samuel 25:2 esv

And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

1 Samuel 25:2 nlt

There was a wealthy man from Maon who owned property near the town of Carmel. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, and it was sheep-shearing time.

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 2 Meaning

This verse introduces a wealthy and influential man named Nabal, whose immense possessions include three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. It sets the scene by detailing his substantial material wealth and the ongoing activity of sheep shearing in Carmel, which was a time of feasting and prosperity in ancient Israel. This description of Nabal’s affluence lays the groundwork for the ensuing narrative concerning David’s request for provisions and Nabal’s churlish response.

1 Samuel 25 2 Context

First Samuel chapter 25 describes an encounter between David, at this time an outlaw leading 600 men, and Nabal, a very wealthy Israelite. David and his men had provided protection for Nabal's shepherds and flocks in the wilderness, preventing loss and ensuring their safety. As Nabal was holding a lavish sheep-shearing festival—a time of abundance and generosity—David sent ten young men to request provisions, seeing it as a just recompense for their protection. This verse (25:2) immediately introduces Nabal as a man of considerable wealth, residing in Maon, but with his primary economic activity and property centered in Carmel, a fruitful pasturage in the Judean wilderness. The sheer scale of his livestock highlights his economic power, which sets the stage for the dramatic conflict arising from his subsequent refusal to share with David's men. This refusal directly contrasts with the cultural expectation of generosity during such festive times.

1 Samuel 25 2 Word analysis

• And there was a man: Introduces a key character to the narrative, signaling his imminent significance. It emphasizes the direct presence of this individual in the story's setting.
• in Maon: (Hebrew: מָעוֹן, Ma'on), meaning "dwelling" or "habitation." This identifies Nabal's hometown or place of residence, located in the hill country of Judah, near the desert. It implies his rootedness and local authority.
• whose possessions were in Carmel: (Hebrew: כַּרְמֶל, Karmel), meaning "garden-land" or "fruitful place." This Carmel is a town and adjacent fertile region in southern Judah, distinct from the Mount Carmel in northern Israel. This specifies where Nabal's vast economic resources, particularly his flocks, were pastured and managed, suggesting its prime suitability for livestock. This dual location emphasizes his broad holdings.
• and the man was very great: (Hebrew: גָּדֹול, gadol), meaning "great" in terms of size, number, power, or influence. In this context, it signifies his immense wealth, social standing, and authority within his community, rather than moral or spiritual greatness. It speaks to his affluence and stature among the Israelites of his time.
• and he had three thousand sheep: Specifies the massive quantity of one type of livestock, highlighting his extraordinary wealth. Sheep were primary commodities for wool, meat, and sacrifice, serving as a principal measure of wealth.
• and a thousand goats: Further illustrates his extensive herd, adding to the specific enumeration of his considerable assets. Goats provided milk, meat, and hair, making them valuable alongside sheep.
• and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel: This detail sets the scene for the interaction with David. Sheep shearing was a significant annual event, akin to a harvest festival, often accompanied by feasting, celebrations, and an expectation of hospitality and generosity. It implies a time of prosperity and heightened activity.

1 Samuel 25 2 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of Nabal's great wealth with his inherent character, which is revealed in later verses, serves as a poignant biblical theme: material prosperity does not equate to wisdom, generosity, or spiritual well-being. This verse introduces Nabal not as inherently evil, but as a man of substance, yet his "greatness" is immediately contrasted with the subsequent revelation of his "churlish" and "evil" disposition. His wealth allows for independence, which, in his case, unfortunately leads to arrogance and a lack of hospitality rather than magnanimity. This narrative subtly challenges the notion that wealth automatically confers wisdom or benevolence.

1 Samuel 25 2 Commentary

This verse functions as a vital stage-setting, introducing the immense material wealth and elevated social standing of Nabal, an essential figure in the chapter's drama. His residency in Maon, coupled with his expansive property and active sheep-shearing operations in the fertile region of Carmel, paints a vivid picture of a successful pastoralist. The specific numbers of his livestock—three thousand sheep and a thousand goats—are intentionally provided to underscore his exceptional riches for that period, marking him as a truly "great" man in worldly terms. This establishment of Nabal's immense resources and his engaging in a major communal event like shearing (which culturally mandated generosity) creates a sharp and poignant contrast with David's desperate, yet principled, request, which Nabal subsequently spurned. The verse thus meticulously builds the groundwork for understanding the full gravity of Nabal's impending foolishness and his blatant disregard for the expected social conduct of the time.