King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 22:15 Mean?

1 Samuel 22:15 in the King James Version says “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 t... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 22:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. footmen: or, guard: Heb. runners


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Ahimelech's final plea asserts complete ignorance. The Hebrew 'chalilah li' (far be it from me) expresses horror at the accusation. His denial that this was the first inquiry ('did I then begin') suggests regular priestly service to David as a royal official. The phrase 'nothing of all this, less or more' (Hebrew 'lo yada...katan vegadol') is a merism meaning absolutely nothing. He extends his plea to 'all the house of my father,' trying to shield his fellow priests. This desperate defense of collective innocence would prove futile. Ahimelech stands as a type of Christ—innocent, making intercession for others, condemned by corrupt authority, and killed despite blamelessness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Priestly inquiry for royal officials was normal practice. Ahimelech's claim that he 'knew nothing' of any conflict between David and Saul is entirely plausible, as David had deceived him about his mission. The defense pleads both innocence and ignorance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Ahimelech's intercession for his fellow priests reflect pastoral responsibility?
  2. What does the failure of an innocent defense before corrupt power teach about trusting in God's ultimate justice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
הַיּ֧וֹם1 of 25

Did I then

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

הַחִלֹּ֛תִי2 of 25

begin

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

ל֥וֹ3 of 25

to enquire

H7592

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

ל֥וֹ4 of 25

to enquire

H7592

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

בֵֽאלֹהִ֖ים5 of 25

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

חָלִ֣ילָה6 of 25

for him be it far from me

H2486

literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!

לִּ֑י7 of 25
H0
אַל8 of 25
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יָשֵׂם֩9 of 25

impute

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ10 of 25

let not the king

H4428

a king

עַבְדְּךָ֙11 of 25

for thy servant

H5650

a servant

דָּבָ֥ר12 of 25

any thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

בְּכָל13 of 25
H3605

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

בֵּ֣ית14 of 25

nor to all the house

H1004

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

אָבִ֔י15 of 25

of my father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

כִּ֠י16 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹֽא17 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדַ֤ע18 of 25

knew

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

עַבְדְּךָ֙19 of 25

for thy servant

H5650

a servant

בְּכָל20 of 25
H3605

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

זֹ֔את21 of 25
H2063

this (often used adverb)

דָּבָ֥ר22 of 25

any thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

קָטֹ֖ן23 of 25

of all this less

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

א֥וֹ24 of 25
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

גָדֽוֹל׃25 of 25

or more

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent


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 22:15 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 22:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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