A short Insight into SHMUEL 1, Chapter 25 By Rabbi Nisson Dov Miller

As we learn about David's confrontation with Naval, we must be perplexed. Why would David say, “Such shall G-d do to David's enemies and such shall He do further, if I leave over until morning of all that belongs to him so much as a dog?” Why was David so upset about how he was treated by Naval? After all, David was not treated well by the people of Keilah or Zifim. They told Shaul where to find David. They were informers – trying to help Shaul capture and execute David! The B'er Moshe (25) explains that up to the time of Shmuel's death the fact that David had been anointed the new King of Israel was hidden from the people. Therefore, they believed that David was rebelling against the King of Israel, Shaul. Thus, based on their perception of the circumstances, they were trying to help King Shaul capture and execute someone who was being a “moreid b'malchus” - a rebel against the King.