King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 19:11 Mean?

1 Samuel 19:11 in the King James Version says “Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

1 Samuel 19:11 · KJV


Context

9

And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

10

And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

11

Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

12

So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.

13

And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth. image: Heb. teraphim


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

Michal's warning 'If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain' reveals urgency and her choice of David over her father. The phrase 'save thy life' (malat nephesh) indicates mortal danger. Michal's loyalty forced her to deceive her royal father - a costly choice with long-term consequences for her relationship with both men. Love proved stronger than filial loyalty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Women in ancient patriarchal societies faced severe consequences for defying male authority, especially royal fathers. Michal's intervention risked her own position and safety. Her warning initiated a series of deceptions that would temporarily save David.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you navigate competing loyalties when faithfulness to one requires opposing another?
  2. What does Michal's costly loyalty teach about the sacrifices love sometimes demands?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩1 of 23

also sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

שָׁא֨וּל2 of 23

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

מַלְאָכִ֜ים3 of 23

messengers

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

אֶל4 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֤ית5 of 23

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לְדָוִ֗ד6 of 23

David's

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לְשָׁמְר֔וֹ7 of 23

to watch

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

מוּמָֽת׃8 of 23

him and to slay

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בַּבֹּ֑קֶר9 of 23

him in the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וַתַּגֵּ֣ד10 of 23

told

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לְדָוִ֗ד11 of 23

David's

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מִיכַ֤ל12 of 23

and Michal

H4324

mikal, saul's daughter

אִשְׁתּוֹ֙13 of 23

wife

H802

a woman

לֵאמֹ֔ר14 of 23

him saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם15 of 23
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֵ֨ינְךָ֜16 of 23
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מְמַלֵּ֤ט17 of 23

If thou save

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

אֶֽת18 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַפְשְׁךָ֙19 of 23

not thy life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

הַלַּ֔יְלָה20 of 23

to night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

מָחָ֖ר21 of 23

to morrow

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

אַתָּ֥ה22 of 23
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

מוּמָֽת׃23 of 23

him and to slay

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 19:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 19:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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