The Church Fathers on this verse

1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 25:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But Nabal answering the servants of David, said: Who is David? and what is the son of Isai? servants are multiplied now days who flee from their masters.

Douay-Rheims

וַיַּ֨עַן נָבָ֜ל אֶת־עַבְדֵ֤י דָוִד֙ וַיֹּ֔אמֶר מִ֥י דָוִ֖ד וּמִ֣י בֶן־יִשָׁ֑י הַיּוֹם֙ רַבּ֣וּ עֲבָדִ֔ים הַמִּתְפָּ֣רְצִ֔ים אִ֖ישׁ מִפְּנֵ֥י אֲדֹנָֽיו׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

There is nothing more detrimental to the Christian spirit than arrogance. I refer to arrogance, not to boldness or bravery, which, although closely related, are distinct; one leads to humility, while the other fosters lowliness, sycophancy, and subservience. Should you wish, I can provide examples of all these traits. It is evident that opposing elements can coexist, much like tares grow alongside wheat and thorns among roses. Young ones can easily be misled; however, those who are mature in their spiritual journey possess the discernment to differentiate the genuine from the counterfeit. Perhaps I shall illustrate this with examples from Scripture. Would you like to observe boldness? Consider the boldness of Nabal.

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In simple terms, insolence arises from anger and unjust criticism toward another, driven by a desire for revenge or excessive irritation. In contrast, boldness and courage entail facing peril and even death, disregarding both friendship and enmity in the pursuit of pleasing God.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

Yet this wretched man offered nothing but scorn, exclaiming, 'Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? Behold, today the servants are abundant, each one turning away from their master.'

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.