Why did David’s request to Nabal come during sheep-shearing time?
1 Samuel 25:7–8 (ESV)
7I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel.
Not only would the sheep-shearing festival likely put Nabal in a pleasant mood,1 it was also an occasion to be generous and share with others. David was thus expecting a positive and friendly response from Nabal. He sent his men at just the right time.2
7 I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel.