Why Samuel's Death Sits Beside Nabal the Churl in Carmel

One verse says, "And Samuel died" (I Samuel 25:1), and another verse says, "Now Samuel was dead" (ibid. 28:3). Rabbi Asi said: "Now Samuel was dead" — he died a certain death. As for "And Samuel died," these words are stated only in connection with the matter of Nabal, for it is said, "And Samuel died," and adjacent to it is, "And there was a man in Maon whose work was in Carmel" (ibid. 25:2). The Holy One, blessed be He, said: All eulogize and beat upon their breast over the death of the righteous one, yet this wicked man sits and holds feasting-revels. But David — what does he say? Whether killing or being killed, whether pursuing or being pursued, I go and perform an act of lovingkindness for the righteous one. This is what is written, "But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness" (Psalms 13:6). This teaches you that anyone who denies acts of lovingkindness is as one who denies the Essence.