⁷ I have heard that you were shearing. When your shepherds were with us, we did not harm them nor did anything that belonged to them go missing the whole time they were at Carmel. ⁸ Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore, show your favor to these young men, for we are here on a feast day. Please give your servants and your son David whatever comes to hand.’ ”

⁹ When David’s young men arrived, they said all of these things to Nabal in David’s name. Then they waited.