1 Samuel 19 15

1 Samuel 19:15 kjv

And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

1 Samuel 19:15 nkjv

Then Saul sent the messengers back to see David, saying, "Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him."

1 Samuel 19:15 niv

Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, "Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him."

1 Samuel 19:15 esv

Then Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, "Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him."

1 Samuel 19:15 nlt

But Saul sent the troops back to get David. He ordered, "Bring him to me in his bed so I can kill him!"

1 Samuel 19 verses

1 Samuel 19 15 Meaning

1 Samuel 19:15 reveals King Saul's unrelenting and murderous pursuit of David. Despite Michal's earlier attempt to deceive his messengers about David's presence by using an idol in the bed, Saul, driven by intense paranoia and hatred, sends his messengers again with a chilling and explicit command: to forcibly bring David to him, even "in the bed," for the explicit purpose of killing him. This highlights Saul's hardened resolve and utter disregard for any semblance of justice or compassion, indicating the extreme spiritual and psychological decline of the king.

1 Samuel 19 15 Context

This verse occurs amidst King Saul's spiraling descent into madness, driven by jealousy and a tormenting evil spirit from God. David, once Saul's trusted armor-bearer and son-in-law, had become immensely popular after slaying Goliath (1 Sam 18:7), provoking Saul's deep-seated envy. Saul had made multiple attempts on David's life, including spear attacks (1 Sam 18:11, 19:10) and secret plots through war (1 Sam 18:17-27). Just prior to this verse, Saul sent messengers to David's house to kill him (1 Sam 19:11). However, Michal, David's wife and Saul's daughter, helped David escape by lowering him from a window (1 Sam 19:12). To buy time, she then placed a household idol (teraphim) in their bed, covered it with clothes, and put goats' hair at its head to make it look like a sick David (1 Sam 19:13-14). The verse being analyzed (1 Sam 19:15) describes Saul's second, more aggressive and direct attempt to apprehend David after his first messengers returned with Michal's lie, showing Saul's deep-seated suspicion and escalating determination to ensure David's demise.

1 Samuel 19 15 Word analysis

• Then Saul sent messengers: Indicates a direct command and deployment of royal authority. Shalach (שָׁלַח), "sent," denotes a commissioning. Malakhim (מַלְאָכִים), "messengers," were agents acting under royal directive. Saul is resolute, misusing his royal power for personal vengeance.
• to see David: Not just to inquire, but to physically verify David's presence. Ra'ah (רָאָה), "to see," implies an inspection. This reveals Saul's intense paranoia and distrust, demanding irrefutable proof after Michal's previous deception.
• saying, 'Bring him up to me': An urgent and forceful imperative. Ha'ali hu (הַעֲלוּ אֹתוֹ), "bring him up," suggesting he should be removed from his house/bed, perhaps even brought up to the palace or to Saul's own presence, highlighting Saul's desire for personal control over the situation.
• 'in the bed': Bammittah (בַּמִּטָּה). This is crucial. It directly references Michal's feigned illness setup and confirms Saul's suspicion or absolute disregard for the ruse. He wanted David brought no matter his supposed condition, even if he were genuinely sick and incapacitated, demonstrating extreme cruelty and contempt.
• 'that I may kill him': Va'ahar'gehu (וַאֲהַרְגֵהוּ). A clear, personal, and murderous intent. No ambiguity or pretense of justice. This is the unvarnished hatred and bloodlust of a king whose mind has been consumed by an evil spirit and jealousy, seeking David's life directly.

Words-group analysis

• "Saul sent messengers to see David": This phrase emphasizes the methodical, persistent, and official nature of Saul's pursuit, showing his resolve to personally confirm David's status despite Michal's prior lie. It highlights the royal authority deployed for a dark purpose.
• "'Bring him up to me in the bed'": This phrase underscores the extent of Saul's malicious determination. It reveals his awareness or strong suspicion of the deception and his utter lack of mercy, demanding David be brought even in a state of feigned sickness and vulnerability, to be completely at his mercy.
• "'that I may kill him'": This declarative statement starkly articulates Saul's ultimate, unadulterated murderous aim. It removes any doubt about his intentions, revealing the deep-seated hatred that has completely corrupted his judgment and actions.

1 Samuel 19 15 Bonus section

• The use of teraphim (household idol) by Michal (1 Sam 19:13) is a fascinating detail. While pragmatically effective for disguise, their presence in David's home raises questions about religious practices during this period, potentially indicating syncretism or their use simply as a common household object. This contrasts sharply with David's devotion to Yahweh and illustrates Michal's practical (rather than necessarily spiritual) response to save her husband.
• This intense pursuit highlights the ongoing spiritual conflict between Saul, who is explicitly stated to be tormented by an evil spirit from the Lord (1 Sam 16:14, 18:10), and David, who is led by the Spirit of the Lord (1 Sam 16:13). Saul's actions are driven by this malevolent spiritual influence, making his hatred for David profoundly personal and demonic.
• The incident underscores the providential care of God for David. Despite Saul's unrelenting pursuit, David repeatedly escapes, showcasing how God orchestrates events, even through human ingenuity and perceived luck, to fulfill His divine purpose of establishing David as king.

1 Samuel 19 15 Commentary

This verse dramatically illustrates the depths of King Saul's moral and spiritual depravity. His command to fetch David "in the bed" after Michal's deceptive setup underscores his intelligence and cynical determination. He doesn't just want David, he wants him helpless, exposed, and fully in his power, regardless of David's supposed sickness or the previous subterfuge. This portrays a king obsessed with eliminating a perceived rival, exhibiting not just paranoia but cold-blooded intent. The divine protection over David is evident in Michal's quick thinking, even though Saul's resolve intensified. It highlights that no human malice or royal authority can thwart God's sovereign plan for His anointed. David's constant escapes reinforce the biblical theme that the Lord is a shield and protector for His chosen ones against all adversaries, however powerful. This moment marks a new low for Saul and further necessitates David's continued flight, underscoring the spiritual battle at play.