1 Samuel 25:9
New International Version
When David’s men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name. Then they waited.

New Living Translation
David’s young men gave this message to Nabal in David’s name, and they waited for a reply.

English Standard Version
When David’s young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited.

Berean Standard Bible
When David’s young men arrived, they relayed all these words to Nabal on behalf of David. Then they waited.

King James Bible
And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

New King James Version
So when David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in the name of David, and waited.

New American Standard Bible
When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal in accordance with all these words in David’s name; then they waited.

NASB 1995
When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in David’s name; then they waited.

NASB 1977
When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in David’s name; then they waited.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then David’s young men came and spoke to Nabal according to all these words in David’s name. Then they waited.

Amplified Bible
When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in the name of David; then they waited.

Christian Standard Bible
David’s young men went and said all these things to Nabal on David’s behalf, and they waited.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David’s young men went and said all these things to Nabal on David’s behalf, and they waited.

American Standard Version
And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

Contemporary English Version
David's men went to Nabal and gave him David's message, then they waited for Nabal's answer.

English Revised Version
And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When David's young men came to Nabal, they repeated all of this to him for David, and then they waited.

Good News Translation
David's men delivered this message to Nabal in David's name. Then they waited there,

International Standard Version
David's young men came to Nabal and told him all this in David's name, and then they waited.

Majority Standard Bible
When David?s young men arrived, they relayed all these words to Nabal on behalf of David. Then they waited.

NET Bible
So David's servants went and spoke all these words to Nabal in David's name. Then they paused.

New Heart English Bible
So the young men came and spoke to Nabal according to all those words on David?s behalf, but he behaved arrogantly.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal in the name of David, according to all these words, and ceased.

World English Bible
When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal all those words in the name of David, and waited.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the young men of David come in, and speak to Nabal according to all these words, in the name of David—and rest.

Young's Literal Translation
And the young men of David come in, and speak unto Nabal according to all these words, in the name of David -- and rest.

Smith's Literal Translation
And David's boys will come and will speak to Nabal according to all these words in David's name, and they will rest.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when David's servants came, they spoke to Nabal all these words in David's name: and then held their peace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the servants of David had arrived, they spoke to Nabal all these words in the name of David. And then they were silent.

New American Bible
When David’s young men arrived, they delivered the entire message to Nabal in David’s name, and then waited.

New Revised Standard Version
When David’s young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David; and then they waited.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the young men of David came and they spoke to Nabal all these words in the name of David
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So the servants come and speak these words to Nabal, according to all these words in the name of David.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David, Nabal, and Abigail
8Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on the day of a feast. Please give whatever you can afford to your servants and to your son David.’ ” 9When David’s young men arrived, they relayed all these words to Nabal on behalf of David. Then they waited. 10But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 25:5-8
So David sent ten young men and instructed them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel. Greet him in my name / and say to him, ‘Long life to you, and peace to you and to your house and to all that belongs to you. / Now I hear that it is time for shearing. When your shepherds were with us, we did not harass them, and nothing of theirs was missing the whole time they were in Carmel. ...

1 Samuel 25:10-11
But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. / Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”

1 Samuel 25:14-17
Meanwhile, one of Nabal’s young men informed Nabal’s wife Abigail, “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed at them. / Yet these men were very good to us. When we were in the field, we were not harassed, and nothing of ours went missing the whole time we lived among them. / They were a wall around us, both day and night, the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. ...

1 Samuel 25:21-22
Now David had just said, “In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good. / May God punish David, and ever so severely, if I let one male belonging to Nabal survive until morning.”

1 Samuel 25:32-35
Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day! / Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand. / Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light.” ...

1 Samuel 24:8-15
After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence / and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? / Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ ...

1 Samuel 20:31-33
For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!” / “Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?” / Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David.

1 Samuel 17:45-47
But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

2 Samuel 10:2-4
And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites, / the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?” / So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.

2 Kings 1:9-15
Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” ...

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Matthew 10:14-15
And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. / Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 10:5-6
Whatever house you enter, begin by saying, ‘Peace to this house.’ / If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.

Luke 9:52-56
He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. / But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem. / When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

ceased [heb] rested

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Arrived Ceased David David's Message Nabal Rest Speak Waited Words Young
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Arrived Ceased David David's Message Nabal Rest Speak Waited Words Young
1 Samuel 25
1. Samuel dies
2. David in Paran sends to Nabal
10. Provoked by Nabal's rudeness, he minds to destroy him
14. Abigail understanding thereof
18. takes a present
23. and by her wisdom
32. pacifies David
36. Nabal hearing thereof, dies
39. David takes Abigail and Ahinoam to be his wives
44. Michal is given to Phalti














When David’s young men arrived
David's young men were likely part of his band of followers, who were loyal to him during his time of fleeing from King Saul. This period in David's life was marked by his leadership and the gathering of a group of men who were in distress or debt, as described in 1 Samuel 22:2. The arrival of these men signifies a formal approach, as emissaries were often sent to convey messages in ancient times, reflecting the customs of diplomacy and negotiation.

they relayed all these words to Nabal on behalf of David
The words relayed were a request for provisions, as David and his men had protected Nabal's shepherds and flocks in the wilderness. This reflects the cultural practice of reciprocal hospitality and protection, where those who provided security could expect some form of compensation or gratitude. Nabal's name, meaning "fool" in Hebrew, foreshadows his response and character, which contrasts with the expected norms of generosity and respect. This interaction also highlights the tension between David, the anointed future king, and those who were loyal to Saul.

Then they waited
The act of waiting indicates a period of expectation and patience, which was customary in negotiations or requests. It also suggests a test of Nabal's character and response. In biblical narratives, waiting often precedes a significant revelation or decision, as seen in other scriptures where patience is a virtue (e.g., Psalm 27:14). This moment of waiting sets the stage for the unfolding of Nabal's reaction and the subsequent actions of David and Abigail, Nabal's wife, who plays a crucial role in the resolution of this conflict.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, who is currently leading a group of men while fleeing from King Saul. David is known for his faithfulness to God and his leadership qualities.

2. Nabal
A wealthy but foolish man from Maon, described as harsh and evil in his dealings. His name means "fool" in Hebrew, which reflects his character.

3. David’s Young Men
Servants or messengers sent by David to Nabal to request provisions. They represent David’s respectful and peaceful approach.

4. Carmel
The place where Nabal’s business and wealth are centered. It is a region known for its fertile land and agricultural prosperity.

5. Event
David sends his men to Nabal during the sheep-shearing festival, a time of celebration and generosity, to request provisions in return for the protection David’s men had provided to Nabal’s shepherds.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Respectful Communication
David’s young men approached Nabal with respect and humility, modeling how we should communicate with others, even when making requests.

The Consequences of Foolishness
Nabal’s foolish response to David’s request serves as a warning about the dangers of pride and lack of discernment.

God’s Provision and Timing
David’s reliance on God’s provision, even when facing rejection, teaches us to trust in God’s timing and resources.

Peacemaking as a Virtue
David’s initial approach to Nabal exemplifies the virtue of peacemaking, aligning with biblical teachings on living peaceably with others.

The Role of Intercession
The young men acted as intermediaries between David and Nabal, highlighting the importance of intercession in resolving conflicts.(9) And ceased.--Better rendered, and they sat down. The Hebrew word here has been variously translated. Bunsen suggests, "and they waited modestly for an answer;" the Vulg., followed by some scholars, has "and they were silent."

Verse 9. - They... ceased. Literally, "they rested;" i.e. either they remained quiet awaiting Nabal's answer, or sat down, as is the custom in the East, for the same purpose.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When David's
דָוִ֔ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

young men
נַעֲרֵ֣י (na·‘ă·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

arrived,
וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

they relayed
וַיְדַבְּר֧וּ (way·ḏab·bə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

all
כְּכָל־ (kə·ḵāl-)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

these
הָאֵ֖לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

words
הַדְּבָרִ֥ים (had·də·ḇā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Nabal
נָבָ֛ל (nā·ḇāl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5037: Nabal -- a man of Carmel

on behalf of David.
דָּוִ֑ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

Then they waited.
וַיָּנֽוּחוּ׃ (way·yā·nū·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5117: To rest, settle down


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OT History: 1 Samuel 25:9 When David's young men came they spoke (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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