1 Samuel 25:5
And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח
sent out
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח
sent out
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 16
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לַנְּעָרִ֗ים
unto the young men
H5288
לַנְּעָרִ֗ים
unto the young men
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
4 of 16
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
לַנְּעָרִ֗ים
unto the young men
H5288
לַנְּעָרִ֗ים
unto the young men
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
7 of 16
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
עֲל֤וּ
Get you up
H5927
עֲל֤וּ
Get you up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
כַרְמֶ֙לָה֙
to Carmel
H3760
כַרְמֶ֙לָה֙
to Carmel
Strong's:
H3760
Word #:
9 of 16
karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine
וּשְׁאֶלְתֶּם
and greet
H7592
וּשְׁאֶלְתֶּם
and greet
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
13 of 16
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
Historical Context
Delegations for formal requests were standard protocol in ancient Near Eastern diplomacy. Ten men represented significant embassy—neither too few to appear casual nor too many to seem threatening. The greeting formula was customary for initiating positive exchange.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you approach others when you need to make requests?
- What does David's formal protocol teach about maintaining dignity in dependency?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:
David's approach demonstrates proper protocol. Sending ten representatives shows respectful formality—not demanding personally but requesting through delegation. The Hebrew 'ushe'altem lo leshalom bishmi' (ask him about peace/welfare in my name) employs standard greeting conventions. 'In my name' indicates David claimed relationship enough to warrant formal inquiry about Nabal's wellbeing. The instruction to 'greet' (sha'al leshalom) literally means 'ask about peace'—a blessing formula initiating relationship. David's careful approach models how those in need can make requests with dignity while honoring potential benefactors.