King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 22:14 Mean?

1 Samuel 22:14 in the King James Version says “Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

1 Samuel 22:14 · KJV


Context

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

16

And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

Ahimelech's defense appeals to David's public reputation and official standing. The Hebrew 'ne'eman' (faithful/trustworthy) challenges Saul's conspiracy narrative with David's documented loyalty. Three credentials are cited: son-in-law (royal family member), obedient servant (military subordinate), and honored courtier. The priest essentially argues: how could helping the king's most trusted servant constitute treason? His rhetorical question assumes shared knowledge of David's status. Ahimelech's defense is legally sound but politically naive—Saul had already rejected these facts. Truth spoken to power sometimes seals rather than saves the speaker.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ahimelech's defense reflects standard legal argumentation: David's official position should have legitimized any assistance. As the king's son-in-law and military commander, David would reasonably receive priestly support. The defense assumes rational proceedings.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has speaking truth to power failed to produce just outcomes?
  2. What does Ahimelech's reasoned defense teach about the limits of logic against irrational hatred?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּ֧עַן1 of 17

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֲחִימֶ֛לֶךְ2 of 17

Then Ahimelech

H288

achimelek, the name of an israelite and of a hittite

אֶת3 of 17
H853

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

הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ4 of 17

the king

H4428

a king

וַיֹּאמַ֑ר5 of 17

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וּמִ֤י6 of 17
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בְכָל7 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙8 of 17

among all thy servants

H5650

a servant

כְּדָוִ֣ד9 of 17

as David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

נֶֽאֱמָ֔ן10 of 17

And who is so faithful

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

וַֽחֲתַ֥ן11 of 17

son in law

H2860

a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)

הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ12 of 17

the king

H4428

a king

וְסָ֥ר13 of 17

and goeth

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אֶל14 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִשְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ךָ15 of 17

at thy bidding

H4928

audience, i.e., the royal court; also obedience, i.e., (concretely) a subject

וְנִכְבָּ֥ד16 of 17

and is honourable

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ׃17 of 17

in thine house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)


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 22:14 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 22:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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