⁷ “‘Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat^(A) 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^(B) you can find for them.’”

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