1 Samuel 22 13

1 Samuel 22:13 kjv

And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

1 Samuel 22:13 nkjv

Then Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day?"

1 Samuel 22:13 niv

Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?"

1 Samuel 22:13 esv

And Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he has risen against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?"

1 Samuel 22:13 nlt

"Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me?" Saul demanded. "Why did you give him food and a sword? Why have you consulted God for him? Why have you encouraged him to kill me, as he is trying to do this very day?"

1 Samuel 22 verses

1 Samuel 22 13 Meaning

1 Samuel 22:13 reveals King Saul's volatile and paranoid mindset, accusing the high priest Ahimelech of high treason. Saul charges Ahimelech with conspiring against him by providing material support (bread and a sword) and divine guidance to David, whom Saul perceives as his enemy plotting a hostile takeover. This verse encapsulates Saul's severe misinterpretation of events at Nob, fueled by deep-seated jealousy and fear, and marks a critical turning point towards his unjust persecution of God's anointed priests.

1 Samuel 22 13 Context

1 Samuel 22:13 is situated in a highly tense and tragic narrative sequence. Chapter 21 details David's desperate flight from Saul, seeking refuge and provisions from Ahimelech at Nob, where the tabernacle was located. Ahimelech, unaware of the deep animosity between David and Saul, provided David with the consecrated showbread and Goliath's sword, believing David was on a secret royal mission for Saul. Immediately before verse 13, Doeg the Edomite, an intensely loyal servant to Saul, has just informed the king that he witnessed Ahimelech aiding David (1 Sam 22:9-10). Saul, whose mental state has deteriorated significantly since the Spirit of the Lord departed from him (1 Sam 16:14), immediately interprets Ahimelech's actions not as innocent assistance to a king's son-in-law, but as active conspiracy against his throne. This verse thus precedes the brutal massacre of the priests of Nob on Saul's command, demonstrating the devastating consequences of Saul's unchecked paranoia and rage.

1 Samuel 22 13 Word Analysis

• "And Saul said to him":
  • Signifies a direct, accusatory confrontation by the king. Saul, holding supreme authority, initiates the dialogue as an interrogation.
• "Why" (מַדּוּעַ, madduʿa):
  • An interrogative word indicating demand for a reason or explanation. In this context, it is highly accusatory, already presupposing guilt rather than genuinely seeking clarification. It sets a confrontational tone, suggesting Saul has already made his judgment.
• "have you conspired" (קָשַׁרְתֶּם, qashartem - plural verb ending, but often refers to an individual as a general conspirator or implies a group):
  • Root: קָשַׁר (qashar) means "to bind," "to tie," "to conspire," or "to rebel."
  • This is the gravest accusation—treason. Saul views Ahimelech's actions not as mere assistance, but as a deliberate and organized plot. The verb choice indicates Saul's belief in a deep-seated, malicious plan against him. Though the verb form can be read as a plural directed at "you [Ahimelech] and the son of Jesse," the direct addressee is Ahimelech.
• "against me":
  • Highlights Saul's self-centered perspective. The focus is on his personal perceived injury and threat to his kingship, rather than the wider welfare or justice for the nation.
• "you and the son of Jesse":
  • Explicitly links Ahimelech with David, forming the perceived "conspiracy."
  • "Son of Jesse": A demeaning title for David used by Saul. Saul intentionally avoids using "David" to strip him of any royal association or respect, reducing him to his humble origins (Ruth 4:17). This also shows Saul's bitter refusal to acknowledge God's anointing on David.
• "in that you have given him bread":
  • Refers to the showbread (1 Sam 21:6), consecrated bread from the tabernacle. Normally restricted to priests (Lev 24:9). Ahimelech justified it by necessity (1 Sam 21:5). Saul views this act of providing sustenance as direct aid to a rebel.
• "and a sword":
  • Specifically, Goliath's sword, kept at the sanctuary (1 Sam 21:9). To Saul, arming David is an undeniable act of hostile enablement.
• "and have inquired of God for him":
  • Ahimelech consulted the Urim and Thummim for David (1 Sam 22:10). This priestly act of seeking divine counsel for someone, when done for a supposed "rebel," would be perceived by Saul as granting divine legitimacy or strategic advantage to his enemy. Priests were typically to inquire of the Lord for the king or national concerns. Saul interprets Ahimelech's fulfilling his priestly role for David as an act of subversion.
• "that he should rise against me":
  • Saul's projection of his deep fear and paranoia. He interprets David's need for help as an active preparation for an attack, rather than flight or self-preservation. "Rise against me" (לָקוּם עָלַי, laqum ‘alay) implies a hostile uprising.
• "to lie in ambush" (לִצְפֹּת, litsphôt):
  • Implies cunning, treachery, and a hidden plot, strengthening the accusation of conspiracy. It signifies waiting in hiding with hostile intent. Saul's choice of word indicates his belief in David's calculated malevolence.
• "as it is this day":
  • Emphasizes Saul's belief in the ongoing, immediate threat. It implies the "conspiracy" is not just a past event, but an active, present danger that has resulted in his current distressing situation (David's continued existence and perceived threat).

1 Samuel 22 13 Bonus Section

• The accusation of "inquiring of God for him" carries immense weight. The Urim and Thummim, consulted by the high priest, were a means of divine revelation, especially important for the king's decisions (Num 27:21). For Saul, Ahimelech allowing David to access this divine guidance was effectively an act of legitimation for a perceived usurper, a direct subversion of royal authority and the priestly office.
• Saul's charge also implicitly highlights the king's expectation of absolute control over spiritual resources, not just temporal ones. He sees the high priest as an extension of his own power, rather than an independent servant of God whose primary allegiance is to the divine will. This abuse of religious authority for political ends foreshadows similar tensions seen throughout biblical history.
• This verse provides a crucial insight into the heart of a persecutor: innocent actions are misinterpreted as malicious plots, and sincere individuals are deemed dangerous conspirators, simply because they challenge the persecutor's perceived control or ego.

1 Samuel 22 13 Commentary

1 Samuel 22:13 powerfully encapsulates King Saul's psychological and spiritual decline. His accusation is a venomous blend of truth distorted by paranoia and self-interest. While Ahimelech did provide David with bread, a sword, and inquired of God for him, his motivations were pure and innocent; he genuinely believed David was on royal service and was aiding the king's son-in-law. Ahimelech was operating out of an understanding of David's loyalty and his own priestly duty to respond to need, not to defy the king. Saul, however, trapped in his bitterness, perceived David's actions through the lens of a threatened monarch, interpreting every provision as a deliberate act of treason designed to facilitate a coup. This highlights Saul's complete inability to discern truth from falsehood, stemming from his rejection of God and his engulfing jealousy. The tragedy of this verse lies in the stark contrast between Ahimelech's innocence and Saul's destructive judgment, leading directly to the brutal and unjust massacre of the priests of Nob, an unprecedented act against God's appointed servants and their sanctuary. It serves as a somber warning against the dangers of unbridled anger, suspicion, and abuse of power by those in authority, illustrating how distorted perspectives can lead to catastrophic injustice.