With lots of sheep and goats, Nabal would have had many servants. He may not have had a formal agreement with David about protection, but he clearly benefited from his aid. When his servants sought to tell him, he was unwilling to listen (1 Samuel 25:14) because he did not want to be obligated to give any provisions to David.1 Even the most basic provisions of bread and water (see also Numbers 21:5; Deuteronomy 9:9, Deuteronomy 9:18; 1 Kings 13:8–9, 1 Kings 13:16–17)2 were withheld.
11 Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?”