What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 25:7? Now I hear that it is time for shearing - David has just learned that Nabal’s annual sheep-shearing is underway—a season of abundant work followed by festive celebration and generous hospitality (Genesis 38:12–13; 2 Samuel 13:23). - By mentioning the timing, David signals that he expects customary kindness to travelers and protectors, a practice woven into Israel’s agricultural life (Deuteronomy 16:14-15; Ruth 3:2). - The line quietly reminds us that God ordains times of provision and thanksgiving, encouraging open-handed generosity (Leviticus 23:22). When your shepherds were with us - David’s six hundred men had been encamped near Nabal’s flocks in the wilderness of Paran (1 Samuel 25:2, 13). - Their presence provided an unasked-for security detail, as Nabal’s own servants later confirm: “The men were very good to us; we were not harmed” (1 Samuel 25:15). - Similar shepherd-protector scenes underline the value of righteous guardianship (Genesis 31:38-40; John 10:12-13). We did not harass them - David emphasizes that his warriors never bullied, extorted, or demanded payment—an explicit contrast to the violence typical of roaming bands (Luke 3:14; Judges 9:25). - The phrase highlights integrity under pressure, modeling the command “Do not withhold good from the deserving” (Proverbs 3:27). - By refraining from aggression, David’s men reflect God’s call to honor others’ property and livelihood (Exodus 20:15). Nothing of theirs was missing the whole time they were in Carmel - David assures Nabal that not one sheep disappeared during months in the open range—a miraculous statistic in bandit-plagued territory (1 Samuel 23:24; Job 1:15-17). - Comparable wording appears when God fully restores what was lost: “Nothing of theirs was missing” after David recovers the plunder at Ziklag (1 Samuel 30:19). - This protection shows how the Lord can use His anointed—even an outlaw in exile—to preserve others, prefiguring Jesus, “the Good Shepherd,” who loses none of His own (John 18:9). summary David’s message to Nabal is a gentle yet pointed reminder: during the prosperous sheep-shearing season, Nabal’s wealth remained intact because David’s company watched over it without demanding tribute. The verse teaches that God honors righteous conduct, expects gratitude toward those who safeguard His blessings, and showcases how His chosen servants embody protective care long before they wear a crown. |
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