King James Version
What Does 1 Samuel 22:11 Mean?
“Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.”
1 Samuel 22:11 · KJV
Context
9
Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
10
And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
11
Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
12
And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. Here: Heb. Behold me
13
And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryThen the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
Saul's summons of the entire priestly community signals ominous intent. The Hebrew 'vayishlach...liqro' (sent to call) conveys royal command that demanded obedience. The specification 'all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob' extends culpability from one man to an entire priestly clan. Their compliance—'they came all of them'—demonstrates their innocence; guilty conspirators would have fled. The priests' trust in royal justice would prove fatal. This summoning of God's servants before a corrupt king foreshadows Christ before Pilate, and countless martyrs before hostile authorities. The institutional church appeared before the corrupted state, believing truth would prevail.
Saul's summons of the entire priestly community signals ominous intent. The Hebrew 'vayishlach...liqro' (sent to call) conveys royal command that demanded obedience. The specification 'all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob' extends culpability from one man to an entire priestly clan. Their compliance—'they came all of them'—demonstrates their innocence; guilty conspirators would have fled. The priests' trust in royal justice would prove fatal. This summoning of God's servants before a corrupt king foreshadows Christ before Pilate, and countless martyrs before hostile authorities. The institutional church appeared before the corrupted state, believing truth would prevail.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Nob had become the center of the Elide priesthood after Shiloh's destruction. 'All his father's house' indicates the priests were organized by family lineage. The priestly community's obedient response reflects their expectation of royal protection, not persecution.
Reflection Questions
- How do the innocent often walk into traps set by the powerful, trusting in justice that will not come?
- What does the priests' obedience to Saul's summons teach about the tension between civil authority and divine protection?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 19 wordsלִקְרֹא֩3 of 19
“to call”
H7121to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת4 of 19
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֶּן6 of 19
“the son”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים8 of 19
“the priest”
H3548literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְאֵ֨ת9 of 19
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל10 of 19
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֵּ֥ית11 of 19
“house”
H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָבִ֛יו12 of 19
“and all his father's”
H1father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים13 of 19
“the priest”
H3548literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 19
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כֻלָּ֖ם17 of 19
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
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 22:11 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 22:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge