Well, this was going to set David back some, but aside of needed supplies, another pressing need

that the warrior didn't really anticipate.    The camels were being loaded with the usual dozen or so swords and knives, a few leather vests, several bolts of wool, a mace - no, two of them - and about a dozen shields.  David preferred the metal ones, but the merchant didn't have enough of them, so the good general made do with purchasing the ones of leather overlaid wood.  Being an experienced warrior, he'd meet with his captains later on, and they'd revise their battle plans.  While men of David's high position, normally had people to do their ordnance shopping, this time, especially, he chose this ... well, this procurement rep's task.  

The last, but certainly not least, purchase wasn't war materials.  The old battle merchant was noted for sometimes having things non battle related.  And that's why Commander-n-Chief David had traveled miles out of his way.  Among the merchant's wares, was a table laden with bolts of fine linens, and some silks; he also had a few nice pieces of jewelry.   The merchant, of course, was asking top price - but why not!  This part of the country could be some sketchy travelling.

To make a long shopping story short, David pulled off a certain treasured heavy gold chain from around his neck.  Not that David was anyone's jewelry-junkie, but he really didn't want to part with the celebrated (and rather coveted) war spoil.  Oh well, he concluded - handing it to the merchant, as payment for these later purchases - hopefully, later down the road, he'd come across it again, and buy it back from its next owner.  

These past few months had been rough.  He and his 600, and their dependents, were too oftentimes hungry, cold - or hot - and tired.  But the real kicker had begun to dawn upon him, just inside two or three weeks ago.  It all started when Abigail and her five ladies, rode into camp.  

The widow and her ladies didn't have much with them; he figured, the rest of their parcels would be along later.  Nope.  At the time, he'd then concluded, that the "woman of good understanding," (1Samuel 25:3) understood a thing or two about camp life.  And while that was evident, still Abigail and company's minimalism turned out to be more than needful.  As a matter of fact, with the season change, and all ...

Another thing David couldn't help but to notice - with the help of overhearing bits and pieces from the servants - the six ladies, maybe, had enough jewelry between them to half fill a small chest - like the dinky one his mom kept on her no-frills dresser.  It was a few mornings later, when Abby came to breakfast in that rather tired looking dressing gown.  The thought, "where'd she get that?  WallyWorld?" popped into his head.   

It was then he realized what a complete scoundrel Nabal truly had been.  Sure, everyone knew ... well anyone who didn't live under a rock, how Nabal would work his tail off to stiff anyone he came in contact - be it merchants, roofers, servants...the little shoe-shine boy.  But his very wife??  What was up with that!