1 Samuel 24 14

1 Samuel 24:14 kjv

After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

1 Samuel 24:14 nkjv

After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?

1 Samuel 24:14 niv

"Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?

1 Samuel 24:14 esv

After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea!

1 Samuel 24:14 nlt

Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea?

1 Samuel 24 verses

1 Samuel 24 14 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 24:14, David makes a powerful rhetorical appeal to King Saul after sparing his life in the cave. By questioning why the mighty "King of Israel" would expend such energy pursuing him, David highlights the absurdity of Saul's actions. He then deliberately diminishes himself, calling himself a "dead dog" and a "flea." This profound self-abasement is not a statement of personal worthlessness but a declaration of his utter harmlessness and insignificance in comparison to Saul's power. David implies that pursuing such an insignificant "threat" is beneath a king and reflects the irrationality of Saul's vengeful obsession. It's an appeal for Saul to cease his unjustified pursuit and recognize David's loyalty and an innocent heart.

1 Samuel 24 14 Context

1 Samuel 24 unfolds with King Saul relentlessly pursuing David, convinced that David seeks to usurp his throne. This specific chapter takes place in the wilderness of En Gedi, where Saul, with 3,000 elite soldiers, goes to track David. Unbeknownst to Saul, he enters the very cave where David and his men are hiding. David's men urge him to kill Saul, interpreting the situation as God delivering Saul into his hand. However, David refuses to harm God's anointed, demonstrating his deep respect for divine authority. Instead, he stealthily cuts off a corner of Saul's robe. After Saul exits the cave, David reveals himself, cries out to Saul, bows in deference, and then makes this impassioned verbal appeal, challenging the king's futile pursuit of one as insignificant as himself. This act of mercy and rhetorical appeal contrasts sharply with Saul's escalating paranoia and vengeful character.

1 Samuel 24 14 Word analysis

• After whom (מֵאַחֲרֵי – mi'acharei): Literally "from behind whom" or "concerning whom." This is a rhetorical question, emphasizing the extreme triviality of David's person compared to Saul's immense royal stature. It highlights the vast disproportion between the pursuer and the pursued, suggesting that Saul's pursuit is misdirected and undignified.

• is the King of Israel come out?: Refers to Saul. David intentionally uses Saul's full, weighty title to magnify the absurdity of a powerful king focusing his efforts on such an insignificant target. This phrase underlines Saul's high office and the resources (3,000 chosen men) he has deployed, contrasting them with David's humble position.

• After whom do you pursue?: This is a direct repetition and intensification of the first question. It underscores the King's personal, ongoing, and misguided engagement in this futile chase. The repeated interrogative strengthens David's incredulous challenge to Saul.

• After a dead dog! (כֶּלֶב מֵת – kelev meth): In ancient Israelite culture, dogs were often scavenger animals, generally considered unclean and despised. A "dead dog" represented the absolute lowest status, utterly worthless, contemptible, and non-threatening. By equating himself to a dead dog, David is using a powerful idiom to convey extreme self-abasement, indicating that he is of no consequence or threat to the king's throne or life.

• After a flea! (פַּרְעֹשׁ – par'osh): A flea is tiny, irritating, and difficult to catch, but ultimately harmless and powerless. This second metaphor amplifies the first, reinforcing David's complete insignificance as a threat. Chasing a flea suggests a trivial, frustrating, and ultimately pointless exercise, perfectly mirroring Saul's irrational and obsessive pursuit.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "After whom is the King of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue?": These two rhetorical questions work in tandem to expose the irrationality and disproportionate nature of Saul's campaign. David is effectively saying, "Look at you, the mighty King of Israel, wasting your valuable time and resources chasing someone so inconsequential!" It's an appeal to Saul's dignity and common sense, demonstrating how far he has fallen into obsession.
  • "After a dead dog! After a flea!": These two vivid metaphors serve as a climactic rhetorical flourish, summarizing David's perceived insignificance. They are not merely expressions of humility but strategic rhetorical tools. By reducing himself to something so loathed and something so insignificant, David asserts his complete harmlessness. He conveys that he is neither a physical threat to Saul's person nor a political rival to his kingdom, aiming to dismantle Saul's paranoia and highlight the folly of his vengeful pursuit.

1 Samuel 24 14 Bonus section

• The parallel structure of the rhetorical questions and the subsequent declarations (double rhetorical question, double contemptuous metaphor) adds a powerful rhetorical emphasis, making David's point undeniable and memorable for Saul.
• This specific phrasing is a cornerstone in understanding David's character, demonstrating his profound respect for God's anointing (even upon his persecutor) and his steadfast trust that God, not his own hand, would deliver justice and establish his kingdom.
• The incident here, particularly this verse, directly contrasts with typical Near Eastern kingly conduct where mercy to an enemy, especially one perceived as a threat, was rare, reinforcing David's adherence to God's standards over cultural norms.
• David's self-deprecating terms also set a benchmark for future interactions. Later in his life, Mephibosheth echoes this exact phrase to David (2 Sam 9:8), showing that David himself understood and applied this type of extreme humility to illustrate deep respect and lowliness.

1 Samuel 24 14 Commentary

1 Samuel 24:14 captures the dramatic core of David's encounter with Saul in the cave. David's self-description as a "dead dog" and a "flea" is a masterful demonstration of profound humility coupled with sharp rhetorical skill. He isn't expressing true worthlessness, for he knows he is God's anointed, but rather strategically conveying his non-threatening nature to Saul. He paints a stark picture: the formidable King of Israel expending royal resources to chase what amounts to refuse and a pest. This underscores Saul's moral and spiritual deterioration, highlighting his obsession with David rather than leading his kingdom righteously. David's words invite Saul to consider the irrationality of his fear and the futility of his actions against one whom God had chosen and was protecting. It shows David's patience and reliance on God's timing and justice, rather than seizing opportunity for human revenge or self-exaltation. This episode teaches believers about the power of humility in disarming enemies, trusting in God's vindication, and the folly of pursuing what is meaningless.