1 Samuel 22 12

1 Samuel 22:12 kjv

And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.

1 Samuel 22:12 nkjv

And Saul said, "Hear now, son of Ahitub!" He answered, "Here I am, my lord."

1 Samuel 22:12 niv

Saul said, "Listen now, son of Ahitub." "Yes, my lord," he answered.

1 Samuel 22:12 esv

And Saul said, "Hear now, son of Ahitub." And he answered, "Here I am, my lord."

1 Samuel 22:12 nlt

When they arrived, Saul shouted at him, "Listen to me, you son of Ahitub!" "What is it, my king?" Ahimelech asked.

1 Samuel 22 verses

1 Samuel 22 12 Meaning

(h2)King Saul, in his increasing paranoia and anger, confronts Ahimelech the priest directly. His opening address, "Hear now, son of Ahitub!", is a commanding and urgent summons, intended to demand full attention before an impending accusation or decree. Ahimelech, caught off guard and unaware of Saul's malicious intent or the prior meeting between David and Doeg, responds deferentially, "Here I am, my lord," signaling his readiness to listen and obey the king, a standard polite acknowledgment of a superior's summons. This brief exchange sets the stage for the unjust accusation and subsequent tragic massacre of the priests of Nob.

1 Samuel 22 12 Context

(h2)1 Samuel 22:12 is situated during a period of intense crisis in Saul's kingship, marked by his deepening paranoia and antagonism toward David. After fleeing Saul, David sought refuge in Nob, the city of priests, where Ahimelech, the High Priest, provided him with consecrated bread and Goliath's sword, unknowingly assisting someone who Saul now perceived as his greatest enemy. Doeg the Edomite, a chief herdsman of Saul, witnessed this exchange and, likely out of self-interest or misguided loyalty, reported it to Saul, exaggerating David and Ahimelech's relationship as a full-blown conspiracy. Saul, convinced of a widespread rebellion against him (v. 8), summons Ahimelech and the entire priestly family of Nob to Gibeah. The verse initiates the direct confrontation, where Saul bypasses due process and impartial inquiry, having already concluded guilt in his mind. Historically, the priesthood played a vital role in national life, often serving as a moral compass and an intercessor for the people. Saul's tyrannical act against God's anointed priests represents a stark rejection of divine order and an escalation of his decline from God's chosen king to a resentful tyrant.

1 Samuel 22 12 Word analysis

(h2)

• Then the king said, "Hear now, (Shim`a na, שמע נא)":

  • Then the king said: Indicates a direct, authoritative address from Saul. Saul's position as "the king" highlights the significant abuse of royal authority in this instance.
  • Hear now!: Shim`a is the imperative form of shama`, meaning "to hear, listen, obey." The particle na often softens a command (like "please") or gives it emphasis (like "now," or "attend!"). Here, given Saul's character and the context, it functions as a peremptory command for Ahimelech's immediate and undivided attention, underscoring the gravity (and false certainty) of the king's accusation to follow. It's less an invitation to converse and more a demand to be heard.

• son of Ahitub!" (ben-`Ahituv):

  • This is the formal patronymic title for Ahimelech, emphasizing his lineage (Ahimelech was the son of Ahitub, grandson of Phinehas, and great-grandson of Eli). Addressing him this way signifies that Saul is specifically targeting him by name and priestly family line, rather than just generally calling out "the priest." It gives the accusation a personal and severe tone, setting up Ahimelech as the primary accused from the priestly line. This may also subtly dehumanize him by reducing him to his ancestry, preparing the way for his whole family's destruction.

• And he answered, "Here I am, (Hinnēnî, הנני)":

  • And he answered: Standard narrative transition.
  • Here I am!: Hinnēnî is a highly significant Hebrew expression. It denotes immediate availability, readiness, and often, an obedient and submissive spirit when called upon. It does not simply mean "I am physically here," but "I am here, ready to listen and respond." It is often used in the Bible by individuals responding to a divine call (e.g., Abraham to God in Gen 22:1, Moses to God in Ex 3:4, Samuel to God in 1 Sam 3:4) or a superior. Ahimelech's use of Hinnēnî here suggests his complete innocence and respectful posture, utterly unaware of Saul's malevolent intentions. He assumes a legitimate request and displays deferential obedience.

• my lord." (Adonî):

  • My lord: A standard and respectful form of address to a superior, especially a king. It reflects Ahimelech's proper submission to the king's civil authority, further underscoring his innocence and loyalty in this dire situation. He still honors Saul as the Lord's anointed, despite Saul's severe degradation.

1 Samuel 22 12 Bonus section

(h2)

• Theocratic Significance: Saul's unholy wrath targets the very institution divinely appointed to serve the Lord, the priesthood. This attack is a direct assault on the spiritual heart of the nation and Yahweh's order, demonstrating how far Saul has deviated from his calling as Israel's king.
• Tragedy of Loyalty: Ahimelech's dutiful response ("Here I am, my lord") exemplifies the tragedy of a loyal servant innocently caught in the crosshairs of an unjust king's paranoia. He died not for disloyalty to the king, but for innocent acts of kindness performed out of ignorance and duty.
• Echoes in Christ's Suffering: This scene subtly echoes the theme of an innocent party being falsely accused and brought before a corrupt or fearful authority figure. Just as Ahimelech, the priestly leader, faced an unjust charge before a tyrannical king, so too did Jesus, the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, face false accusations before Pontius Pilate, the earthly ruler.

1 Samuel 22 12 Commentary

(h2)This verse encapsulates a pivotal moment of injustice, setting the stage for the tragic massacre of the priests of Nob. Saul, consumed by a paranoid rage against David, views anyone who assists David, however innocently, as a conspirator. His sharp, peremptory summons, "Hear now, son of Ahitub!", reflects his authoritarian state of mind. He isn't seeking clarification or understanding but rather asserting his distorted perception of the truth and demanding submission to his decree. Ahimelech's response, "Here I am, my lord," demonstrates a posture of innocent readiness and respectful deference. It highlights the priest's unsuspecting faithfulness to his duty and the king's authority, starkly contrasting Saul's cynical and murderous intent. This brief dialogue reveals Saul's increasing tyrannical nature, his abuse of power, and his complete disregard for justice and the Lord's anointed priesthood. It foreshadows the shedding of innocent blood by Saul's command, a clear sign of his continued rejection by God as king.