King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 19:13 Mean?

1 Samuel 19:13 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 19:13 · KJV

Context

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

14

And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.

15

And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

Read 1 Samuel 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Michal's use of a household idol (teraphim) raises uncomfortable questions - why did David's wife possess such an image? The deception bought time for David's escape. The pillow of goats' hair created visual illusion. While Scripture neither condones the idol's presence nor the deception, it records God's use of flawed instruments to accomplish preservation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Teraphim were household religious objects, possibly ancestral images. Their presence in an Israelite home reflected syncretic religious practices. Rachel had taken her father's teraphim (Genesis 31:19). Such objects were common despite prophetic condemnation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's use of imperfect means challenge our expectations of how He works?
  2. What does the presence of teraphim in David's household suggest about spiritual growth's gradual nature?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַתִּקַּ֨ח1 of 14

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִיכַ֜ל2 of 14

“And Michal”

H4324

mikal, saul's daughter

אֶת3 of 14
H853

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

הַתְּרָפִ֗ים4 of 14

“an image”

H8655

teraphim (singular or plural) a family idol

שָׂ֖מָה5 of 14

“and laid”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶל6 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמִּטָּ֔ה7 of 14

“it in the bed”

H4296

a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier

וְאֵת֙8 of 14
H853

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

כְּבִ֣יר9 of 14

“a pillow”

H3523

a matrass (of intertwined materials)

הָֽעִזִּ֔ים10 of 14

“of goats”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

שָׂ֖מָה11 of 14

“and laid”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֑יו12 of 14

“hair for his bolster”

H4763

properly, a headpiece, i.e., (plural for adverbial) at (or as) the head-rest (or pillow)

וַתְּכַ֖ס13 of 14

“and covered”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

בַּבָּֽגֶד׃14 of 14

“it with a cloth”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

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 19:13 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 19:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 31:19Judges 18:14Judges 18:17Hosea 3:4Judges 17:5

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1 Samuel 19 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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