1 Samuel 25:11

Verse

Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”

American Standard Version (1901)

Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men of whom I know not whence they are?

Bible in Basic English

Am I to take my bread and my wine and the meat I have got ready for my wool-cutters and give it to men coming from I have no idea where?

Free Bible Version

Why should I take the bread and water I've supplied, and the meat I've slaughtered for my shearers, and hand it over to these strangers? I don't even know where they're from!”

King James (Authorized) Version

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?

Translation for Translators

I give bread and water to the men who are cutting the wool from my sheep, and I give them meat from animals that I have slaughtered. Why should I take some of those things and give them to a group of outlaws [RHQ]? ◄Who knows where they have come from?/I do not even know where they have come from.►” [RHQ]

Unlocked Literal Bible

Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who come from I do not know where?”

Noah Webster Bible

Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men, whom I know not whence they are ?

World English Bible

Shall I then take my bread, my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don’t know where they come from?”

Young's Literal Translation

and I have taken my bread, and my water, and my flesh, which I slaughtered for my shearers, and have given [it] to men whom I have not known whence they [are]!'

Context

David, Nabal, and Abigail

¹⁰But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.¹¹Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”

Sermons

Of the Practice of Covetousness in Spending

William Gouge

Summary

In this verse, David expresses his frustration and disappointment upon hearing that Nabal had refused to show him kindness and hospitality. David's reaction reveals his human emotions and the challenges he faced as a leader. Despite being anointed as the future king of Israel, David still experienced rejection and mistreatment from others. This passage serves as a reminder that even those chosen by God may encounter difficulties and must rely on Him for guidance and strength.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Shall I then take my bread, and my water,.... Which include all food and liquors, everything eatable and drinkable; and "water" may be particularly mentioned, because very scarce in the wilderness, and so precious; though the Septuagint version has "wine" instead of "water": and my flesh which I have killed for my shearers; whether oxen, or sheep, or lambs, as there might be of each sort, for an entertainment made on such an occasion: and give it unto men whom I know not whence they be? which is another argument Abarbinel makes use of that he meant not David, but his men only, because he did not know who and from whence they were.