King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 19:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 19:17 in the King James Version says “And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answer...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?”

1 Samuel 19:17 · KJV

Context

15

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

16

And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.

17

And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?

18

So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.

19

And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.

Read 1 Samuel 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?

Saul's accusation of Michal - 'Why hast thou deceived me...sent away mine enemy?' - treats David as enemy and implies Michal's treachery. Her response - 'He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?' - shifts blame to David with an implied threat she likely fabricated. The web of deception demonstrates how Saul's violence corrupted all relationships around him.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Children lying to protect themselves from parental wrath was common in ancient patriarchal societies. Michal's claim of threatened violence shifted her from conspirator to victim in Saul's eyes. Whether Saul believed her is unstated.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does one person's sin create environments where deception seems necessary for survival?
  2. What does the breakdown of truth between Saul and Michal reveal about sin's corrupting influence on families?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
אָמַ֥ר1 of 21

“He said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁא֔וּל2 of 21

“And Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִיכַל֙4 of 21

“And Michal”

H4324

mikal, saul's daughter

לָ֤מָּה5 of 21
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

כָּ֙כָה֙6 of 21
H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

רִמִּיתִ֔נִי7 of 21

“Why hast thou deceived me so”

H7411

to hurl; specifically, to shoot; figuratively, to delude or betray (as if causing to fall)

שַׁלְּחִ֖נִי8 of 21

“and sent away”

H7971

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

אֶת9 of 21
H853

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

אֹֽיְבִ֖י10 of 21

“mine enemy”

H341

hating; an adversary

וַיִּמָּלֵ֑ט11 of 21

“that he is escaped”

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

אָמַ֥ר12 of 21

“He said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִיכַל֙13 of 21

“And Michal”

H4324

mikal, saul's daughter

אֶל14 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁא֔וּל15 of 21

“And Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

הוּא16 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אָמַ֥ר17 of 21

“He said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֛י18 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שַׁלְּחִ֖נִי19 of 21

“and sent away”

H7971

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

לָמָ֥ה20 of 21
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אֲמִיתֵֽךְ׃21 of 21

“why should I kill”

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 19:17 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 19:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 2:222 Samuel 17:201 Samuel 28:121 Samuel 22:17Matthew 2:161 Samuel 19:14

Test Your Knowledge

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

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