Nabal

Nabal is a biblical person, first named as Abigail’s husband and described as a Calebite in 1 Samuel 25:3. The passage calls him harsh and evil in his deeds. He is named in at least 18 verses across 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel.

David heard that Nabal was shearing his flock and sent young men to greet him at Carmel 1 Samuel 25:4 1 Samuel 25:5. Nabal answered David’s servants by questioning David and “the son of Jesse” 1 Samuel 25:10. One of Nabal’s young men later told Abigail that David’s messengers had greeted their master and that Nabal shouted at them 1 Samuel 25:14.

Abigail acted without telling Nabal 1 Samuel 25:19. When she came to him, he was holding a feast, was very drunk, and she told him nothing until morning 1 Samuel 25:36. After she told him the events, he became like stone; about ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died 1 Samuel 25:37 1 Samuel 25:38. Later passages continue to identify Abigail as Nabal’s wife or widow 1 Samuel 27:3 2 Samuel 3:3.