1 Samuel 25:10
And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֨עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֨עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִ֥י
H4310
מִ֥י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
7 of 18
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
וּמִ֣י
H4310
וּמִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
9 of 18
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בֶן
and who is the son
H1121
בֶן
and who is the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַיּוֹם֙
now a days
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
now a days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
רַבּ֣וּ
there be many
H7231
רַבּ֣וּ
there be many
Strong's:
H7231
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, to cast together , i.e., increase, especially in number; to multiply by the myriad
הַמִּתְפָּ֣רְצִ֔ים
that break away
H6555
הַמִּתְפָּ֣רְצִ֔ים
that break away
Strong's:
H6555
Word #:
15 of 18
to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)
אִ֖ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֖ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
16 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Historical Context
David's fame throughout Israel made Nabal's feigned ignorance obviously contemptuous. The characterization of David as a runaway servant aligned with Saul's propaganda. Nabal's response represented not just personal insult but political statement against David's legitimacy.
Questions for Reflection
- What motivates people to deliberately insult those who have helped them?
- How does Nabal's response reveal both arrogance and political alliance with Saul?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
Nabal's response is deliberately insulting. His rhetorical questions 'who is David?' and 'who is the son of Jesse?' feign ignorance of Israel's most famous warrior. Everyone in Judah knew David—Nabal's question is contemptuous dismissal. His reference to runaway servants implies David is a fugitive slave, not a legitimate leader. The Hebrew 'mitparettsim' (breaking away) describes violent rupture from authority. This accusation aligned with Saul's narrative that David was a rebel rather than God's anointed. Nabal's insults reflect both foolish arrogance and political calculation—he sided with Saul against David. His words would prove fatal.