1 Samuel 22 17

1 Samuel 22:17 kjv

And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.

1 Samuel 22:17 nkjv

Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, "Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me." But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the LORD.

1 Samuel 22:17 niv

Then the king ordered the guards at his side: "Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me." But the king's officials were unwilling to raise a hand to strike the priests of the LORD.

1 Samuel 22:17 esv

And the king said to the guard who stood about him, "Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because their hand also is with David, and they knew that he fled and did not disclose it to me." But the servants of the king would not put out their hand to strike the priests of the LORD.

1 Samuel 22:17 nlt

And he ordered his bodyguards, "Kill these priests of the LORD, for they are allies and conspirators with David! They knew he was running away from me, but they didn't tell me!" But Saul's men refused to kill the LORD's priests.

1 Samuel 22 verses

1 Samuel 22 17 Meaning

King Saul, consumed by his paranoia and deep-seated animosity toward David, commands his personal guards to execute the priests serving at Nob. His perceived justification for this horrific act is the belief that these priests aided David and deliberately concealed his whereabouts, an accusation rooted in Saul's misinterpretation and suspicion rather than fact. This command reveals the depths of Saul's moral decay and his profound disrespect for sacred life and divine law.

1 Samuel 22 17 Context

Following David's escape from Gibeah, he sought refuge and provisions from Ahimelech the priest at Nob (1 Sam 21). Ahimelech, unaware of David's true circumstances or his strained relationship with King Saul, provided David with the consecrated bread and Goliath's sword under the pretext that David was on a secret royal mission. Doeg the Edomite, an official in Saul's service, witnessed this interaction. In 1 Samuel 22, Doeg reported this to Saul, accusing Ahimelech of conspiracy. Saul, driven by severe paranoia and fear regarding David's growing popularity and his own waning authority, summoned Ahimelech and all the priests of Nob. Despite Ahimelech's earnest defense—explaining his innocent intentions and David's deception—Saul remained unswayed. In a fit of tyrannical rage and unchecked power, he commanded his own guards to kill the priests. This event is a dark peak in Saul's spiritual and moral decline, showcasing his complete disregard for divine law and human life, contrasting sharply with the kingly ideal God established for Israel.

1 Samuel 22 17 Word analysis

• Then the king said (וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ, wayyōʾmer hammęlek): Signifies the direct, authoritative command from King Saul. "The king" emphasizes his position of power, which he flagrantly abuses. His word carries ultimate weight, but here, it is used for unrighteous ends, demonstrating his absolute rule unbound by divine law.
• to the guards (לָרָצִים, lārāṣîm): Literally "to the runners" or "bodyguards." These were highly loyal, often swift messengers or members of the king's personal elite troop, directly subservient to his command. Their immediate presence underscores the swift and decisive, yet depraved, nature of Saul's order.
• who stood about him (הַנִּצָּבִים עָלָיו, hanniṣṣābîm ‘ālāyw): Emphasizes their proximity and immediate readiness to execute royal commands. This close interaction highlights that Saul's decision was a deliberate, personal directive, not a detached order.
• 'Turn and kill' (סֹבּוּ וּמֵתוּ, sōbbû ûmēṯū): An immediate, emphatic imperative. Sōbbû means "turn about" or "surround," possibly implying to take a position before striking. Mēṯū is "cause to die" or "slay." It's a stark command for execution, underscoring the lethal nature of Saul's decree against those he now deems enemies.
• the priests of the LORD (כֹּהֲנֵי יְהוָה, kōhanê Yahweh): This is a profound and shocking designation. "The priests" refers to those consecrated for holy service to God. "Of the LORD" (Yahweh) specifically highlights their divine calling and allegiance. By commanding their murder, Saul is committing sacrilege, directly opposing God's established order and striking at His consecrated servants, signifying his complete disregard for divine authority.
• because their hand also is with David (כִּי־יָדָם גַּם־הִיא עִם־דָּוִד, kî-yādām gam-hîʾ ‘im-Dāwiḏ): "Their hand... with David" is an idiom indicating their involvement, support, or complicity. Saul asserts they conspired with David, though Ahimelech's interaction was innocent, based on deception by David and misunderstanding by Ahimelech. This reflects Saul's paranoid interpretation of events.
• and because they knew that he fled and did not disclose it to me (וְכִי יָדְעוּ כִּי בֹרֵחַ הוּא וְלֹא גָלוּ אֶת־אָזְנִי, wəkî yād‘û kî bōrēḥa huʾ wəloʾ ḡālû ʾeṯ-ʾoznî):
  • "they knew that he fled": This is a false accusation. Ahimelech did not know David was fleeing from Saul; he believed David was on royal business. Saul attributes knowledge the priests did not possess, manufacturing a reason for their execution.
  • "did not disclose it to me" (וְלֹא גָלוּ אֶת־אָזְנִי, wəloʾ ḡālû ʾeṯ-ʾoznî): Literally, "they did not uncover my ear," an idiom for revealing information or informing someone. Saul views their alleged silence (rooted in ignorance, not complicity) as an act of treason. This showcases his profound mistrust and unbridled anger, leading to a grossly unjust condemnation.

1 Samuel 22 17 Bonus section

• The Royal Guards' Refusal: The text specifically states that "the servants of the king refused to put forth their hand to strike the priests of the LORD" (1 Sam 22:17b, implied as a follow-up action to this verse's command). This highlights their discernment that the king's command was morally and spiritually reprehensible, surpassing their obligation of obedience. Their refusal underscores the wickedness of Saul's command and marks a moral high ground for the common soldier against a despotic ruler.
• Prophetic Fulfillment: While a direct consequence of Saul's sin, the massacre at Nob inadvertently aligned with the judgment prophesied against Eli's priestly house for their unfaithfulness (1 Sam 2:31-33). Ahimelech and his kin were descendants of Eli.
• Significance of "Nob": Nob was not just a random town but a designated city for priests, often referred to as "the city of the priests." Its destruction was an assault on a vital religious center and its holy inhabitants.

1 Samuel 22 17 Commentary

1 Samuel 22:17 unveils the horrifying depths of Saul's spiraling mental and spiritual condition, demonstrating the destructive power of unchecked rage and paranoia. His command to kill the priests of the LORD is a tyrannical abuse of his kingship, an act of grave sacrilege, and the shedding of innocent blood. The fact that he specifically targets "the priests of the LORD" highlights his contempt for divine authority and religious sanctity, effectively attacking God Himself through His representatives. This command, stemming from a misconstrued understanding and vengeful anger, not only contravenes God's law but also human justice. The guards' refusal to obey signals a moral boundary they would not cross, foreshadowing the tragic compliance of Doeg in the next verse and ultimately contributing to the final abandonment of Saul by God. This episode powerfully illustrates the consequences of rejecting God's commands and allowing personal bitterness to consume one's leadership and moral compass.