Rabbi’s Reflections - Saturday, May 10, 2025 by David Harwood
Favor Foolishly Refused
By David Harwood
There was a wealthy man named Nabal. He was known for his arrogance and for his wife, Abigail. Here are their descriptions. Note the contrast.
The man’s name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful, but the man, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings. (1 Samuel 25:3)
Nabal had an unfortunate name. Seriously, basically, the name means, “Fool.” What a name! In our culture a better translation of Nabal would be, “Jerk.”
Who would name their son, “Fool?” Either someone prophetically gifted or a fool. The name prophesied unhappiness.
There is no joy for the father of a disgraceful son (nabal). (Proverbs 17:21b)
“Nabal” describes someone who is intellectually and ethically deficient. It also speaks of people who, in their stupidity, profane that which is sacred. They act disgracefully, bringing shame upon their people.
I was surprised by how many times “nabal” is found in the Scriptures.
For example: Who says in his heart that there is no God? The nabal.
The fool (nabal) said in his heart: “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1)
Another example: Who prophesies out of their own imaginations? Fools.
thus says Adonai Elohim: ‘Woe to the foolish (nabal - plural) prophets who follow their own spirit—except they have seen nothing! (Ezekiel 13:3)
It is difficult to believe that someone actually named their son “Nabal.” However, it seems that this was not a nickname. It was a given name.
Please my lord, pay no attention to this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he—Nabal is his name and disgraceful folly is with him. (1 Samuel 25:25a)
Anyway, David had some history with this Jerk. HIs men had guarded Fool’s flocks. Raiders and rustlers? Stopped. Predators? Driven away or killed. This was dangerous, hazardous, and inconvenient work. But David’s men stood guard day and night, and this guaranteed that Nabal’s flocks would flourish. Obviously, these shepherds and their sheep had favor in the eyes of David’s small army.
With this as a background, consider what happened.
It was time to shear the flock. This event was usually accompanied by a celebration because it was the culmination of the shepherds’ work. Aware of the party, David asked Nabal for the joy of partaking of their feast. He sent ten warriors who brought greetings and blessings from David. They described their work and conveyed David’s request for a gracious reward.
Therefore, let the young men find favor (chen/charis) in your eyes, for we have come on a festive day. So please, give to your servants and to your son David, whatever you find at hand. (1 Samuel 25:8b)
When someone receives graciously given help it is normal to express gratitude. Instead, Nabal (Jerk) churlishly refused to show favor/grace to David’s men and compounded that refusal by insulting him.
But Nabal answered David’s servants by saying, “Who is David? And who is Jesse’s son? Nowadays there are many slaves each running away from his master.” (1 Samuel 25:10)
Do we demonstrate appreciation to those who serve us? Do they find favor (chen/charis) in our eyes? Nabal foolishly refused to demonstrate favor (chen/charis) to David’s men. He refused to show grace, to be grateful, to those who helped him prosper.
May the Lord open our eyes to see those who have helped us and give us grace to express our gratitude.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat10-May-202512th of Iyar, 5785 Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim Day 21 of the Omer
Le 20:8-27Am 9:7-151 Tess 4:1-12
By David Harwood
There was a wealthy man named Nabal. He was known for his arrogance and for his wife, Abigail. Here are their descriptions. Note the contrast.
The man’s name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful, but the man, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings. (1 Samuel 25:3)
Nabal had an unfortunate name. Seriously, basically, the name means, “Fool.” What a name! In our culture a better translation of Nabal would be, “Jerk.”
Who would name their son, “Fool?” Either someone prophetically gifted or a fool. The name prophesied unhappiness.
There is no joy for the father of a disgraceful son (nabal). (Proverbs 17:21b)
“Nabal” describes someone who is intellectually and ethically deficient. It also speaks of people who, in their stupidity, profane that which is sacred. They act disgracefully, bringing shame upon their people.
I was surprised by how many times “nabal” is found in the Scriptures.
For example: Who says in his heart that there is no God? The nabal.
The fool (nabal) said in his heart: “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1)
Another example: Who prophesies out of their own imaginations? Fools.
thus says Adonai Elohim: ‘Woe to the foolish (nabal - plural) prophets who follow their own spirit—except they have seen nothing! (Ezekiel 13:3)
It is difficult to believe that someone actually named their son “Nabal.” However, it seems that this was not a nickname. It was a given name.
Please my lord, pay no attention to this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he—Nabal is his name and disgraceful folly is with him. (1 Samuel 25:25a)
Anyway, David had some history with this Jerk. HIs men had guarded Fool’s flocks. Raiders and rustlers? Stopped. Predators? Driven away or killed. This was dangerous, hazardous, and inconvenient work. But David’s men stood guard day and night, and this guaranteed that Nabal’s flocks would flourish. Obviously, these shepherds and their sheep had favor in the eyes of David’s small army.
With this as a background, consider what happened.
It was time to shear the flock. This event was usually accompanied by a celebration because it was the culmination of the shepherds’ work. Aware of the party, David asked Nabal for the joy of partaking of their feast. He sent ten warriors who brought greetings and blessings from David. They described their work and conveyed David’s request for a gracious reward.
Therefore, let the young men find favor (chen/charis) in your eyes, for we have come on a festive day. So please, give to your servants and to your son David, whatever you find at hand. (1 Samuel 25:8b)
When someone receives graciously given help it is normal to express gratitude. Instead, Nabal (Jerk) churlishly refused to show favor/grace to David’s men and compounded that refusal by insulting him.
But Nabal answered David’s servants by saying, “Who is David? And who is Jesse’s son? Nowadays there are many slaves each running away from his master.” (1 Samuel 25:10)
Do we demonstrate appreciation to those who serve us? Do they find favor (chen/charis) in our eyes? Nabal foolishly refused to demonstrate favor (chen/charis) to David’s men. He refused to show grace, to be grateful, to those who helped him prosper.
May the Lord open our eyes to see those who have helped us and give us grace to express our gratitude.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat10-May-202512th of Iyar, 5785 Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim Day 21 of the Omer
Le 20:8-27Am 9:7-151 Tess 4:1-12
Posted in Rabbis Reflections