Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 25:7

"And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: thy shepherds have now been with us, and we did them no hurt, neither was there aught missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel." — 1 Samuel 25:7 (ASV)

Neither was there ought missing unto them.—These words doubtless refer to the protection which David’s armed band had provided to the herdsmen against the frequent raids of the neighbouring people—the Philistines and other more savage and unscrupulous tribes who lived on the borders of Palestine.

The request was certainly a fair one. As Lange and Ewald remark, “apart from the Eastern custom of giving generously at such great festivities, according to which such a request would seem in no way strange, David had a certain right to ask for a gift from Nabal’s wealth. He had indirectly no small share in the festal joy of Nabal and his house. Without some part of the surplus of the inhabitants whom he protected, he could not have supported himself and his army.”