Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

David and his men needed supplies, and the son of Jesse sent ten
young men to Nabal, instructing them to greet him in their master's
name: "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. [Not Mount
Carmel, but a place in the territory of Judah.] Ask your young men,
and they will tell you. Therefore ... . Please give whatever comes to
your hand to your servants and to your son David."
This rich man was asked to provide from his great wealth some
relief to the needs of those who had given him such valuable
service. The answer Nabal gave showed his character: "Who is
David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants
nowadays who break away each one from his master. Shall I then
take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my
shearers, and give it to men when I do not know where they are
from?"
David was furious. He determined to punish the man who had
denied him what was his right, and had added insult to injury. This
impulsive movement was more like the character of Saul than of
David. The son of Jesse still had to learn patience.
Nabal's Wise Wife Saves the Household
Without asking her husband, Abigail put together a good
supply of food, which she sent forward in the care of servants, and
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