King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 25:2 Mean?

1 Samuel 25:2 in the King James Version says “And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand she...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. possessions: or, business”

1 Samuel 25:2 · KJV

Context

1

And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

2

And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. possessions: or, business

3

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

4

And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.

Read 1 Samuel 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

The narrative introduces Nabal through his wealth rather than his character. The Hebrew 'gadol me'od' (very great) describes material prosperity. Three thousand sheep and one thousand goats represented substantial wealth in pastoral economy. The distinction between residence (Maon) and possessions (Carmel) indicates a wealthy landowner with distributed holdings. Sheep shearing was a festive season—a time of celebration, feasting, and generosity. Carmel here refers to the town in Judah's hill country, not the northern mountain. This prosperous setting establishes the context for David's reasonable request and Nabal's unreasonable refusal.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Sheep shearing was an annual event requiring many workers and typically accompanied by feasting and gift-giving. The wealth described made Nabal one of the region's most prominent men. Maon and Carmel were in the wilderness region where David's band operated.

Reflection Questions

  1. What responsibilities accompany significant wealth in biblical perspective?
  2. How does the narrative's focus on Nabal's possessions rather than character foreshadow the story's conflict?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְהָאִישׁ֙1 of 18

“And there was a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּמָע֜וֹן2 of 18

“in Maon”

H4584

maon, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine

וּמַֽעֲשֵׂ֣הוּ3 of 18

“whose possessions”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

בַּכַּרְמֶֽל׃4 of 18

“in Carmel”

H3760

karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine

וְהָאִישׁ֙5 of 18

“And there was a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

גָּד֣וֹל6 of 18

“great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

מְאֹ֔ד7 of 18

“was very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וְל֛וֹ8 of 18
H0
צֹאנ֖וֹ9 of 18

“his sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת10 of 18

“and he had three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

וְאֶ֣לֶף11 of 18

“and a thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְאֶ֣לֶף12 of 18

“and a thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

עִזִּ֑ים13 of 18

“goats”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

וַיְהִ֛י14 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בִּגְזֹ֥ז15 of 18

“and he was shearing”

H1494

to cut off; specifically to shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy

אֶת16 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

צֹאנ֖וֹ17 of 18

“his sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

בַּכַּרְמֶֽל׃18 of 18

“in Carmel”

H3760

karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 25:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 25:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 23:24Genesis 38:13Joshua 15:55Luke 16:19-25Psalms 73:3-7Genesis 13:2

Places in This Verse

Carmel 1Settlement · Modern: Khirbet el Kirmil · 31.42°N, 35.13°E14 verses across 5 books
MaonSettlement · Modern: Tel Main · 31.41°N, 35.13°E3 verses across 3 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 25 →

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 25 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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