We will be like all the other nations. Our king will judge us and lead us and fight our battles.”

The men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you and you can do with us whatever you wish.”

So David’s servants went and spoke all these words to Nabal in David’s name. Then they paused.

So David’s servants went on their way. When they had returned, they came and told David all these things.

They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons don’t follow your ways. So now appoint over us a king to lead us, just like all the other nations have.”

The Lord will do for my lord everything that he promised you, and he will make you a leader over Israel.

Just as they have done from the day that I brought them up from Egypt until this very day, they have rejected me and have served other gods. This is what they are also doing to you.