Nabal's Foolish Reply.
Given the strength of David's band Nabal's reply was foolish in the extreme. Indeed we can only assume that he was not aware of how powerful David's fighting strength was, for it is difficult otherwise to imagine why he acted so foolishly, however cranky he might have felt. He probably in fact thought that he was simply dealing with a disreputable bunch of rather cheeky outlaws who could easily be kept in their place. He had after all a good number of experienced fighting men to call on himself (all shepherds in such an area had to be fighting men).
His act was in fact a gross breach of oriental hospitality. It went against recognised custom, and was deliberately insulting withal. Indeed it was an act of the utmost foolishness, and was inviting repercussions, as his own servants recognised. No doubt he thought that he had enough shearers to keep these audacious outlaws at bay. It was presumably only when the fullscale nature of the size of David's band was brought home to him, and he realised what his wife had saved them from, that he had his heart attack.
‘ And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, “Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away every man from his master.”
His reply was contemptuous in the extreme. It was not only a rejection, but a deliberate and calculated insult. Who did this man ‘David' think he was? Why should he listen to ‘the son of Jesse'? He was nothing special. He was just a renegade servant who had slipped his master's leash, and there were many of them around. Why then should he cater for them? He did not want people like that enjoying his hospitality.
“ Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men of whom I know not from where they are?”
Indeed, why should he take the food and drink which he had provided for his shearers and neighbours, and give it to unknown strangers of whose background he was unaware? (It is clear from what follows that his servants, who did know the strength of David's force, were appalled to learn of his words. To them it was quite clear what the consequences would be. You just did not treat leaders of powerful outlaw bands in this way).
‘ So David's young men turned on their way, and went back, and came and told him according to all these words.'
David's young men were also no doubt quite surprised. They had come with friendly overtures and had expected to share in Nabal's generosity. It was the custom. But now they were going away empty. And it was as empty that they returned to David and told him what Nabal had said.