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.
Ver. 10. Who is David?] q.d., I know him not: and yet all Israel knew and honoured David as their deliverer. But this unworthy Pamphagus, to save his victuals, will either make him a man of no merits, or ill; either an obscure man, or a fugitive: and yet he was of his own tribe: but one had as good deal with a cannibal, as with a truly covetous captive.
That break away every man from his master.] As dammed rivers break the banks; or as refractory cattle break their bands, and run away from their owners. Here he maketh no better of David and his men than rogues and runaways. But David was now poor, and himself rich, therefore he thought he might say or do anything. David asked him bread; he gave him a stone.
“ Stultitiam patiuntur opes. ”