King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 22:19 Mean?

1 Samuel 22:19 in the King James Version says “And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and o...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 22:19 · KJV

Context

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.

20

And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.

21

And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.

Read 1 Samuel 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The total destruction of Nob employs cherem (ban) language—the complete annihilation vocabulary reserved for God's enemies like the Canaanites. The Hebrew phrase 'lefi cherev' (edge of the sword) appears twice for emphasis. The listing 'men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep' echoes the Amalekite destruction Saul was commanded to execute but refused (15:3). The terrible irony burns: Saul would not destroy Israel's enemies but utterly destroys Israel's priests. He practiced holy war against God's servants while sparing God's enemies. This inversion marks the complete moral collapse of Saul's reign.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nob's destruction eliminated an entire religious center. The totality of slaughter—including nursing infants and livestock—matches the pattern of cherem warfare typically reserved for pagan enemies. This act represented unprecedented violence against Israelite religious infrastructure.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Saul's destruction of Nob mirror and invert his failure with Amalek?
  2. What does this massacre teach about the trajectory of rejecting God's word?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאֵ֨ת1 of 18
H853

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

נֹ֤ב2 of 18

“And Nob”

H5011

nob, a place in palestine

עִיר3 of 18

“the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙4 of 18

“of the priests”

H3548

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

הִכָּ֣ה5 of 18

“smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

לְפִי6 of 18

“he with the edge”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

חָֽרֶב׃7 of 18

“of the sword”

H2719

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

מֵאִישׁ֙8 of 18

“both men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְעַד9 of 18
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אִשָּׁ֔ה10 of 18

“and women”

H802

a woman

מֵֽעוֹלֵ֖ל11 of 18

“children”

H5768

a suckling

וְעַד12 of 18
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

יוֹנֵ֑ק13 of 18

“and sucklings”

H3243

to suck; causatively, to give milk

וְשׁ֧וֹר14 of 18

“and oxen”

H7794

a bullock (as a traveller)

וַֽחֲמ֛וֹר15 of 18

“and asses”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

וָשֶׂ֖ה16 of 18

“and sheep”

H7716

a member of a flock, i.e., a sheep or goat

לְפִי17 of 18

“he with the edge”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

חָֽרֶב׃18 of 18

“of the sword”

H2719

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

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 22:19 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 22:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 15:3Isaiah 10:32Joshua 6:171 Samuel 21:1Nehemiah 11:321 Samuel 22:9

Places in This Verse

NobSettlement · Modern: Ras el Mesharif · 31.79°N, 35.24°E7 verses across 4 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 22 →

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