King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 23:20 Mean?

1 Samuel 23:20 in the King James Version says “Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.”

1 Samuel 23:20 · KJV

Context

18

And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

19

Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? on: Heb. on the right hand Jeshimon: or, the wilderness

20

Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.

21

And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

22

Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly. haunt: Heb. foot shall be

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.

The Ziphites offer eager collaboration. The Hebrew 'le'avvat naphshekha' (the desire of your soul) panders to Saul's obsession—they recognized and enabled his destructive pursuit. Their phrase 'our part shall be to deliver him' assigns themselves active roles in David's capture. This willingness to participate reveals hearts aligned with Saul's wickedness rather than merely intimidated by his power. Their invitation for Saul to 'come down' echoes the same verb used of Saul's planned attack on Keilah (v. 8). Communities that curry royal favor by betraying the innocent become complicit in tyranny.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Offering to 'deliver' David echoed the question David had asked about Keilah (v. 11-12). The Ziphites volunteered what God warned Keilah would do under pressure. Their proactive betrayal exceeded mere compliance with royal demands.

Reflection Questions

  1. What motivates people to actively participate in persecuting others?
  2. How does currying favor with the powerful corrupt communities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְ֠עַתָּה1 of 11
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

לְכָל2 of 11
H3605

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

אַוַּ֨ת3 of 11

“according to all the desire”

H185

longing

נַפְשְׁךָ֥4 of 11

“of thy soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃5 of 11

“Now therefore O king”

H4428

a king

רֵ֑ד6 of 11

“come down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

רֵ֑ד7 of 11

“come down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

וְלָ֥נוּ8 of 11
H0
הַסְגִּיר֖וֹ9 of 11

“and our part shall be to deliver”

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

בְּיַ֥ד10 of 11

“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

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃11 of 11

“Now therefore O king”

H4428

a king

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 23:20 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 23:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 23:12Proverbs 29:26Deuteronomy 18:6Psalms 112:10Psalms 54:3Proverbs 11:23

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