1 Samuel 25 5

1 Samuel 25:5 kjv

And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:

1 Samuel 25:5 nkjv

David sent ten young men; and David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name.

1 Samuel 25:5 niv

So he sent ten young men and said to them, "Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name.

1 Samuel 25:5 esv

So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name.

1 Samuel 25:5 nlt

he sent ten of his young men to Carmel with this message for Nabal:

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 5 Meaning

This verse details David's strategic action of dispatching a delegation of ten young men to Nabal, a wealthy man in Carmel, during his sheep-shearing feast. The purpose was to formally greet Nabal "in my name" (meaning on David's behalf and authority), which in the cultural context of the time, was a polite and customary prelude to requesting provisions, recognizing David's band's previous protection of Nabal's shepherds and flocks. This move was essential for sustaining David's group of men during his time as a fugitive.

1 Samuel 25 5 Context

Chapter 25 of 1 Samuel unfolds after the death of the prophet Samuel, marking a transitional period for David. David and his band of some six hundred men were living in the wilderness of Paran, constantly on the move and in need of sustenance. Nabal, a man described as "churlish and evil in his deeds" (v. 3), was a very wealthy rancher in Carmel, owning 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats. Sheep-shearing was a major event in ancient Israelite agrarian society, analogous to a harvest festival, often accompanied by feasting, revelry, and open-handed generosity. David and his men, during their time in the wilderness, had inadvertently provided protection to Nabal's shepherds and flocks from marauders (as Abigail later recounts, vv. 15-16). This protection, though unsolicited by Nabal, created a customary social obligation. David's action in this verse is therefore not an arbitrary demand, but a formal and polite attempt to leverage this existing mutual, albeit unstated, beneficial relationship, seeking provision from Nabal at a time of his prosperity. This setup leads directly to Nabal's insulting refusal and David's near-catastrophic response.

1 Samuel 25 5 Word analysis

• So David sent (וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד - vayishlach David):
  • vayishlach (וַיִּשְׁלַח): From the root שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning "to send forth, extend, dismiss." This verb signifies an intentional, purposeful action of dispatching, indicative of leadership and delegated authority. David is not acting alone, but as a leader directing his forces.
  • David: Though an outlaw, David consistently acts with organizational skill and forethought, preparing him for kingship. His actions, even in necessity, bear the mark of a burgeoning ruler.
• ten young men (עֲשֶׂרֶת נְעָרִים - aseret nearim):
  • aseret (עֲשֶׂרֶת): "Ten." A modest number, indicating a formal, respectful delegation rather than an overwhelming military show of force. This size was appropriate for conveying a message and representing authority without immediate aggression. It highlights David's diplomatic intent first.
  • nearim (נְעָרִים): Literally "youths" or "young men," but contextually meaning "servants" or "attendants." These were likely capable, trusted members of David's company, agile for travel and apt to convey the message with gravitas. While polite, the presence of these robust individuals subtly underscored David's ability to exert force if necessary, though it wasn't the primary message.
• and said to them (וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם - vayomer lahem):
  • vayomer (וַיֹּאמֶר): "And he said." A common Hebrew phrase for issuing direct commands or instructions, further emphasizing David's leadership and the clear objective of the mission.
• Go up to Carmel (עֲלוּ הַכַּרְמֶלָה - alu haCarmelah):
  • alu (עֲלוּ): "Go up" (plural imperative). Often used when traveling to a higher geographical location, but also indicating movement toward a significant place or person.
  • haCarmelah (הַכַּרְמֶלָה): "To Carmel." Carmel was a region in Judah renowned for its rich pastures and fertile lands, ideal for large flocks. The "-ah" suffix denotes direction, "to." This specific instruction directs the envoys to Nabal's prosperous domain during a peak celebratory season.
• and greet Nabal for me (וּשְׁאַלְתֶּם לוֹ לְשָׁלוֹם בִּשְׁמִי - ushe'altem lo l'shalom bishmi):
  • ushe'altem (וּשְׁאַלְתֶּם): From שָׁאַל (sha'al), "to ask, inquire." Here, it's about inquiring of one's welfare or well-being, a polite and formal opening that often preceded a request or established a connection. It implies more than a casual salutation; it's a profound wish for, and inquiry into, overall health and prosperity.
  • l'shalom (לְשָׁלוֹם): "Concerning peace" or "for well-being." Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) is a rich Hebrew word signifying not merely the absence of conflict but comprehensive well-being, wholeness, prosperity, security, and favor. To inquire "l'shalom" implies a desire for, and an expectation of, mutual well-being and a positive relationship. In this context, it subtly lays the groundwork for shared prosperity.
  • bishmi (בִּשְׁמִי): "In my name" or "by my authority/for me." This crucial phrase signifies that the delegation carries David's personal authority and represents his person. It gives weight to the greeting and any subsequent request, expecting recognition of David's growing influence and legitimacy.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "So David sent ten young men and said to them...": This opening emphasizes David's proactive and organized leadership, even as an exile. The choice of "ten young men" balances formality and diplomacy with an underlying suggestion of strength and readiness, a deliberate non-aggressive yet firm approach, signifying the growing stature of David's band beyond mere fugitives. It reveals David's attempt to use proper protocol for securing vital provisions.
• "Go up to Carmel and greet Nabal for me": This phrase encapsulates the strategic intent and polite facade of David's mission. "Go up to Carmel" targets the locus of Nabal's wealth and current festivity, highlighting David's awareness of Nabal's prosperity. The instruction "greet Nabal for me" utilizing the deep cultural meaning of shalom, suggests a respectful yet significant inquiry that implicitly asserts David's protection service and expects reciprocal hospitality, grounding the demand within established social conventions of client-patron relationships prevalent in the ancient Near East.

1 Samuel 25 5 Bonus section

• The practice described here reflects a common client-patron relationship in the ancient Near East. David, having provided informal "protection" to Nabal's shepherds from bandits in the wilderness, expected a reciprocal gift or "tribute" in return, especially during a celebratory season when generosity was expected. Nabal's refusal thus constitutes a serious breach of customary law and social obligation.
• David's sending of a limited delegation of ten young men suggests a test of Nabal's character and recognition of David's implied authority, rather than an immediate hostile confrontation. This polite overture served as an invitation for Nabal to honor a societal debt and contribute to the well-being of David's men.
• The verse implicitly foreshadows the central conflict of the chapter: David's diplomatic request met with Nabal's ungracious, insulting refusal, leading David to nearly take matters into his own hands before Abigail intervenes, demonstrating the providence of God in restraining human anger.

1 Samuel 25 5 Commentary

1 Samuel 25:5 captures a pivotal moment demonstrating David's practical leadership and his attempt to sustain his men through established social customs. Faced with constant need, David, recognizing the sheep-shearing feast as a time of communal generosity, sent a formal yet polite delegation to Nabal. The "shalom" greeting, delivered "in my name," was not merely a salutation but a traditional prelude to a request for reciprocal kindness, especially from one who had benefited from protection. This act by David reflects his desire to gain provisions through respectful interaction, leveraging his past deeds rather than resorting to plunder. It underscores his careful, strategic approach as an emerging leader, and his effort to navigate societal expectations before Nabal's foolish and insulting refusal leads to escalating conflict, revealing both David's human frailties and the eventual divine intervention that shapes his path to kingship.