1 Samuel 25:4

4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep.

1 Samuel 25:4 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 When David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep,
The Message Bible (MSG)
4 David, out in the backcountry, heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep
American Standard Version (ASV)
4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
4 While David was in the desert, he heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep,
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
4 David was staying in the Desert of Maon. While he was there, he heard that Nabal was clipping the wool off his sheep.

1 Samuel 25:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 25:4

And David heard in the wilderness
In the wilderness of Paran, where he was, and a wilderness it was to him, being in want of food, as the following relation shows:

that Nabal did shear his sheep;
when there was generally good living, and so a proper person, and a proper time, for David to apply for the relief of his wants.

1 Samuel 25:4 In-Context

2 A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel.
3 His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite.
4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep.
5 So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name.
6 Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.