1 Samuel 25 7

1 Samuel 25:7 kjv

And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.

1 Samuel 25:7 nkjv

Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds were with us, and we did not hurt them, nor was there anything missing from them all the while they were in Carmel.

1 Samuel 25:7 niv

"?'Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing.

1 Samuel 25:7 esv

I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel.

1 Samuel 25:7 nlt

I am told that it is sheep-shearing time. While your shepherds stayed among us near Carmel, we never harmed them, and nothing was ever stolen from them.

1 Samuel 25 verses

1 Samuel 25 7 Meaning

First Samuel 25:7 asserts David's respectful appeal to Nabal, reminding him of the substantial and sustained protection David's men provided to Nabal's shepherds and flocks in Carmel. David states that during the time his men were alongside Nabal's shepherds, no harm came to them, nor was anything lost or stolen. This declaration highlights David's claim to a fair reciprocal favor, establishing a clear debt of gratitude and signaling an expectation of provisions during a season of feasting and generosity.

1 Samuel 25 7 Context

First Samuel chapter 25 details the encounter between David and Nabal. David, while on the run from Saul, leads a band of about 600 men. To sustain them, David relies on either raiding or securing provisions through mutual arrangement with local communities. In the wild and rugged region of Judah, maintaining order and protecting flocks from bandits was crucial. David's men, hardened warriors, had acted as a protective force for Nabal's vast flocks and numerous shepherds in the pasturelands of Carmel, a period lasting "all the days" they were in proximity. Shearing time was a season of celebration and feasting, where generosity was customarily shown to neighbors and those who provided assistance. It was a time when wealthy landowners like Nabal would provide meals for their shearers, families, and others. David sends ten young men to Nabal, respectfully reminding him of the protective services rendered and requesting provisions in return, expecting Nabal to act with the traditional generosity of the season.

1 Samuel 25 7 Word Analysis

• Now you have heard (וְעַתָּה שָׁמַעְתָּ): This phrase signifies Nabal's unquestionable awareness. David does not present new information but recalls what Nabal already knew. It functions as a diplomatic opening, implying common knowledge and a shared understanding of past events.
• that I have shearers (כִּי־גֹזְזִים לִי): Literally, "that to me are shearers." Shearers were present for the sheep-shearing festival, a significant agricultural event. This was a season of harvest and feasting, signifying abundance and expected generosity, contrasting with scarcity. It provided an opportune moment for David to seek sustenance without resorting to force.
• While your shepherds were with us (וְגַם־רֹעֶיךָ הָיוּ עִמָּנוּ): Highlights the close proximity and interaction between David's men and Nabal's shepherds. The phrase 'with us' indicates an extended period of cohabitation and mutual observation in the grazing lands.
• we did them no harm (לֹא הֱכִימֹתָם): From the root khl (כחל), meaning to shame, disgrace, or inflict harm. This goes beyond mere absence of aggression; it implies active protection against ill-treatment or exploitation, upholding their dignity and safety. This contrasts sharply with typical bandit behavior in such lawless areas.
• neither was there anything missing from them (וְכָל־מְאוּמָה לֹא־נִפְקַד לָהֶם): From the root paqad (פקד), meaning to be missing, to be overlooked, or to lack. This phrase assures Nabal that not a single sheep, lamb, or shepherd's equipment was lost, stolen, or "missing" under David's protection. It underscores the diligence and integrity of David's men, who not only refrained from taking but actively prevented others from doing so.
• all the days they were in Carmel (כָּל־יְמֵי הֱיוֹתָם בַּכַּרְמֶל): Emphasizes the duration and consistency of this protection. Carmel, located in southern Judah, was a semi-arid, rugged region. Such areas were prone to raids from Philistines, Amalekites, or other roving bandits. David's sustained presence ensured safety, making this a long-term, invaluable service to Nabal.

1 Samuel 25 7 Bonus Section

The detail that David's men "did them no harm" and nothing was "missing" highlights a core ethical principle for Israel's future king. It subtly foreshadows David's eventual role as a shepherd over God's people (2 Sam 5:2), where his leadership is characterized by provision and protection. In a sense, David, through his actions, embodies an early type of divine providence for those under his temporary care, contrasting with Saul's destructive reign. This act also set a precedent of 'protection money' or a voluntary tax that often occurred between rulers or powerful figures and lesser entities within their spheres of influence in the ancient Near East, solidifying the idea that a relationship with David provided tangible benefits and security.

1 Samuel 25 7 Commentary

First Samuel 25:7 serves as a concise statement of David's past service to Nabal. It lays the groundwork for David's rightful request, showcasing his wise leadership and integrity even as an outlaw. By explicitly mentioning the lack of harm and loss, David highlights that his presence was a positive, protective force, unlike typical roving bands who might exploit landowners. This demonstrates David's respect for the well-being of the innocent and his adherence to a higher moral standard, despite his difficult circumstances. The verse also underscores the economic and social reality of the time, where protection for flocks in vulnerable areas was a highly valuable commodity, warranting reciprocal goodwill during times of abundance like the sheep-shearing festival. Nabal's later dismissal of this claim directly illustrates his foolish and contemptuous character, setting up the dramatic conflict that ensues.