Nabal (Hebrew: «Fool»)

NABAL (Heb. = “fool”).—A wealthy owner of flocks in Carmel, southeast of Hebron, of whom I Sam. 25 speaks. Abigail (v.), “a sensible woman and very beautiful in appearance, whereas he was harsh and ill-mannered.” During the sumptuous banquets customarily held on the occasion of sheep-shearing, David, who was roaming those parts with his band in order to escape Saul, sent to ask him for some token of gratitude in return for having respected, indeed defended, his flocks. He received refusal and contempt, and therefore went up to take revenge; but Abigail came to meet him with gifts, to appease him. When N., “after the wine had evaporated,” learned from his wife of the danger he had incurred, “his heart died within him, and he became like a stone” (ibid. 25:37). He died ten days later, and the wise woman became David’s wife. The account is historically valuable for its information concerning customs and beliefs. Gino Bressan