Nabal was a descendant of the famous Israelite Caleb: Nabal lived in the city of Maon, which was seven miles southeast of the modern site of Hebron. Nabal refused King David's request for provisions when David was passing through his territory: Nabal's wife, Abigail, however, complied with David's request and prevented David from attacking Nabal for his behavior. The story in 1 Samuel records that, for this refusal to aid David, Nabal was soon struck dead, and the widowed Abigail became one of David's wives.