King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 22:13 Mean?

1 Samuel 22:13 in the King James Version says “And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

1 Samuel 22:13 · KJV

Context

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?

14

Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?

15

Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. less: Heb. little or great

Read 1 Samuel 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

Saul's accusation combines facts with paranoid interpretation. The Hebrew 'lamah qeshartem' (why have you conspired) assumes guilt while framing the question. The threefold charge—bread, sword, divine inquiry—matches Doeg's report. But Saul's interpretation transforms hospitality into conspiracy, priestly duty into treason. The phrase 'to lie in wait' (Hebrew 'le'orev') was a capital offense, imagining David as an assassin-in-waiting. Saul's 'as at this day' suggests ongoing threat. This interrogation demonstrates how tyrants reframe innocent actions as crimes when paranoia governs perception. The truth was irrelevant; Saul had already determined the outcome.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern trials often presumed guilt when the king brought accusations. Conspiracy against the king was among the most serious crimes, typically punished by death extending to the conspirator's family. Saul's charge left little room for defense.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do those in power reframe innocent actions to justify predetermined verdicts?
  2. What does Saul's accusation teach about the impossibility of reasoning with paranoid authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 21

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָו֙2 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁא֔וּל3 of 21

“And Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

לָ֚מָּה4 of 21
H4100

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

קְשַׁרְתֶּ֣ם5 of 21

“unto him Why have ye conspired”

H7194

to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)

עָלַ֔י6 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַתָּ֖ה7 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּבֶן8 of 21

“against me thou and the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשָׁ֑י9 of 21

“of Jesse”

H3448

jishai, david's father

בְּתִתְּךָ֙10 of 21

“in that thou hast given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

ל֜וֹ11 of 21
H0
לֶ֣חֶם12 of 21

“him bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וְחֶ֗רֶב13 of 21

“and a sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וְשָׁא֥וֹל14 of 21

“and hast enquired”

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

לוֹ֙15 of 21
H0
בֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים16 of 21

“of God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לָק֥וּם17 of 21

“for him that he should rise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֵלַ֛י18 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְאֹרֵ֖ב19 of 21

“against me to lie in wait”

H693

to lurk

כַּיּ֥וֹם20 of 21

“as at this 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

הַזֶּֽה׃21 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 22:13 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 22:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 22:8Amos 7:10Psalms 119:69Luke 23:2-5

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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