King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 22:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 22:17 in the King James Version says “And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 22:17 · KJV


Context

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

18

And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

19

And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The soldiers' refusal represents remarkable moral courage. The Hebrew 'lo avu' (were not willing) indicates deliberate choice despite royal command. These 'footmen' (ratsim—runners, royal guards) risked everything by refusing. Their reasoning—unwillingness to 'fall upon the priests of the LORD'—shows reverence for God's servants trumped fear of the king. Saul's accusation (their hand is with David, they knew and didn't tell) distorts hospitality into conspiracy. The guards' disobedience echoes the Hebrew midwives defying Pharaoh (Exodus 1:17). When human authority commands what God forbids, faithful resistance becomes obedience to the higher King.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Royal guards typically executed without question. Their refusal to kill priests indicates the profound sanctity accorded to those who served at the altar. This act of conscience cost them royal favor but preserved their integrity before God.

Reflection Questions

  1. When must civil disobedience become faithful obedience to God?
  2. What does the soldiers' refusal teach about maintaining moral boundaries under immoral authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 33

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙2 of 33

And the king

H4428

a king

לָֽרָצִים֩3 of 33

unto the footmen

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

הַנִּצָּבִ֨ים4 of 33

that stood

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

עָלָ֜יו5 of 33
H5921

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

סֹ֥בּוּ6 of 33

about him Turn

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

וְהָמִ֣יתוּ׀7 of 33

and slay

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בְּכֹֽהֲנֵ֥י8 of 33

the priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

יְהוָֽה׃9 of 33

of the LORD

H3068

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

כִּ֤י10 of 33
H3588

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

גַם11 of 33
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

יָדָ֔ם12 of 33

because their hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עִם13 of 33
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

דָּוִ֔ד14 of 33

also is with David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְכִ֤י15 of 33
H3588

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

יָֽדְעוּ֙16 of 33

and because they knew

H3045

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

כִּֽי17 of 33
H3588

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

בֹרֵ֣חַ18 of 33

when he fled

H1272

to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly

ה֔וּא19 of 33
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

וְלֹ֥א20 of 33
H3808

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

גָל֖וּ21 of 33

and did not shew

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

אֶת22 of 33
H853

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

אָזְנִ֑וֹ23 of 33
H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

וְלֹֽא24 of 33
H3808

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

אָב֞וּ25 of 33

would

H14

to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent

עַבְדֵ֤י26 of 33

it to me But the servants

H5650

a servant

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙27 of 33

And the king

H4428

a king

לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ28 of 33

not put forth

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת29 of 33
H853

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

יָדָ֔ם30 of 33

because their hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לִפְגֹ֖עַ31 of 33

to fall

H6293

to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity

בְּכֹֽהֲנֵ֥י32 of 33

the priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

יְהוָֽה׃33 of 33

of the LORD

H3068

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


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 22:17 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 22:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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