”When David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep, David sent ten young men; and David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: ‘Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have! 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. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.’ ” So when David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in the name of David, and waited.“ I Samuel 25:4-9 NKJV
a. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David: David made this request because he performed a valuable service for Nabal, protecting his flocks when Philistine raids were common. To our modern ears it might sound like David ran some kind of “protection racket,” but that wasn’t the case at all. He performed a worthy, valuable service for Nabal and expected to be compensated.
b. Nabal was shearing his sheep: This means David waited until the right time to ask for compensation for his services. David protected Nabal’s shepherds and flocks for a long time but did not expect to be compensated until Nabal himself made his money at the “harvest” of sheep shearing.
c. David sent ten young men: This shows that David made the request politely. He did it through messengers so Nabal would not be intimidated. He sent the messengers with a greeting full of warmth and kindness (Peace be to you), so Nabal would not give out of fear or intimidation.
d. Your shepherds were with us…nor was there anything missing…. ask your young men, and they will tell you: This shows that David made the request properly, carefully and patiently giving Nabal an “itemized receipt” for services rendered.
e. For we come on a feast day: David politely reminded Nabal of the traditions of generosity surrounding harvest and sheep shearing time.
f. Please give whatever comes to your hand: David did not demand any specific payment from Nabal or set a price – he simply left it up to Nabal’s generosity. Then David’s messengers waited for the reply. (Guzik)
Feast Day
Once a year I get together with my siblings and we celebrate thanksgiving and Christmas together (ThanksCrismas) with a feast and celebrate another year of living and reminiscing of our childhood. This year my brother is hosting and it will be a welcome break from our deep snow! We’ve had over 72” in a week!
I am reminded of another biblical feast!
”People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.“
Luke 13:29 NIV
”When one of those reclining with Him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is everyone who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”“
Luke 14:15 BSB
Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God! The man spoke of the goodness and blessedness of the great banquet with the Messiah that was spoken of many times in the Old Testament, and is known in the New Testament as the marriage supper of the Lamb: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! (Revelation 19:9) (Guzik)
I look forward to eating at the feast in the kingdom of God!
Have you been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb?
Blessings
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