Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
Should I take my bread, my water, and the meat I've prepared for my sheep shearers, and give it to men I don't even know or where they come from?
This verse shows Nabal rudely refusing David's request for food, asking why he should share his provisions with strangers.
📚 Historical Context
In 1 Samuel 25, David and his men had been protecting Nabal's flocks and shepherds in the wilderness without seeking payment, as David was a fugitive from King Saul. When David sent messengers to request food and supplies during Nabal's sheep shearing festival, a time of abundance and celebration, Nabal responded with rude refusal, questioning why he should share his resources with strangers. This incident highlights the cultural expectation in ancient Israel for hospitality and reciprocity toward those who had provided protection.
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