NABAL (EBR. = «STOLTO»)

NABAL (Hebr. = “fool”). — A wealthy sheep owner in Carmel, southeast of Hebron, mentioned in 1 Sam 25. He was married to Abigail (cf. v.). “She was intelligent and beautiful in appearance, whereas he was harsh and evil in his dealings.” During the lavish feasts customary at sheep-shearing time, David—who was wandering in the area with his band to escape Saul—sent messengers to request some provision in return for having protected, indeed defended, Nabal’s flocks. Nabal refused and scorned the request, so David set out to take vengeance; but Abigail met him with gifts to placate him. When Nabal, “having drunk deeply,” learned from his wife of the danger he had faced, “his heart died within him, and he became like stone” (1 Sam 25:37). He died ten days later, and the wise woman became David’s wife. The narrative is historically valuable for its details on customs and beliefs.