⁵ He said to the men of Sukkoth,^(A) “Give my troops some bread; they are worn out,^(B) and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna,^(C) the kings of Midian.”

⁸ From there he went up to Peniel^[a](A) and made the same request of them, but they answered as the men of Sukkoth had.

⁴ While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. ⁵ So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. ⁶ Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health^(A) to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!^(B)

⁷ “‘Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat^(C) them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. ⁸ Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever^(D) you can find for them.’”

⁹ When David’s men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name. Then they waited.

¹⁰ Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who^(E) is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. ¹¹ Why should I take my bread^(F) and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?”

¹² David’s men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word. ¹³ David said to his men^(G), “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did, and David strapped his on as well. About four hundred men went^(H) up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.^(I)