King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 21:7 Mean?

1 Samuel 21:7 in the King James Version says “Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomit...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.”

1 Samuel 21:7 · KJV

Context

5

And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. yea: or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessel

6

So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread , that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

7

Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.

8

And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.

9

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.

This ominous verse introduces Doeg with foreboding detail. The Hebrew 'ne'etsar' (detained) suggests he was there for ritual purposes—perhaps fulfilling a vow or undergoing purification. The irony is devastating: a man at the sanctuary for religious observance would become the instrument of its destruction. His identity as an Edomite connects him to Israel's ancient enemy, the descendants of Esau. As 'chiefest of the herdmen' (literally 'mighty one among the shepherds'), he held significant authority. Psalm 52 records David's later reflection on Doeg's treachery. This brief verse demonstrates how witnesses to innocent actions can become deadly accusers when circumstances change.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Edomites could participate in Israelite worship after the third generation (Deuteronomy 23:7-8). Doeg's position as chief herdsman gave him access to royal intelligence. His presence at Nob was providentially noted by Scripture as the catalyst for coming tragedy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when you realize someone hostile has witnessed your vulnerable moments?
  2. What does Doeg's religious observance combined with later cruelty teach about external religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְשָׁ֡ם1 of 16
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אִישׁ֩2 of 16

“Now a certain man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מֵֽעַבְדֵ֨י3 of 16

“of the servants”

H5650

a servant

לְשָׁאֽוּל׃4 of 16

“of Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

בַּיּ֣וֹם5 of 16

“was there that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֗וּא6 of 16
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

נֶעְצָר֙7 of 16

“detained”

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

לִפְנֵ֣י8 of 16

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּשְׁמ֖וֹ10 of 16

“and his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

דֹּאֵ֣ג11 of 16

“was Doeg”

H1673

doeg, an edomite

הָֽאֲדֹמִ֑י12 of 16

“an Edomite”

H130

an edomite, or descendants from (or inhabitants of) edom

אַבִּ֥יר13 of 16

“the chiefest”

H47

a valiant one

הָֽרֹעִ֖ים14 of 16

“of the herdmen”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

אֲשֶׁ֥ר15 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְשָׁאֽוּל׃16 of 16

“of Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

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 21:7 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 21:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 22:9Psalms 52:1-91 Chronicles 27:29Acts 21:26-27Amos 8:5Genesis 13:7-8

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