King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 23:22 Mean?

1 Samuel 23:22 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 23:22 · KJV


Context

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

23

See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

24

And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Saul's instructions reveal both his obsession and his grudging respect for David's abilities. The Hebrew 'arum ya'arim' (dealing very subtilly/craftily) acknowledges David's tactical skill. The multiple imperatives—'go,' 'prepare,' 'know,' 'see'—demand thorough reconnaissance. Saul wants David's 'haunt' (regel—literally 'foot,' meaning regular path) mapped precisely. His request for witnesses ('who hath seen him there') seeks multiple confirmations. Despite his paranoia, Saul correctly assessed David's capabilities, knowing that careless pursuit would fail. Even enemies sometimes speak truth about our abilities.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Saul's military experience informed his methodical approach. Reconnaissance before engagement was standard military practice. His acknowledgment of David's subtlety reflected the fugitive's successful evasion over an extended period.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Saul's acknowledgment of David's craftiness teach about how enemies sometimes recognize abilities we might doubt?
  2. How should we view the skills God gives us for navigating difficult circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
לְכוּ1 of 20
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

נָ֞א2 of 20
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

הָכִ֣ינוּ3 of 20

I pray you prepare

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

ע֗וֹד4 of 20
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

וּדְע֤וּ5 of 20

yet and know

H3045

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

רָאָ֖הוּ6 of 20

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת7 of 20
H853

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

מְקוֹמוֹ֙8 of 20

his place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה10 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

רַגְל֔וֹ11 of 20

where his haunt

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

מִ֥י12 of 20
H4310

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

רָאָ֖הוּ13 of 20

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

שָׁ֑ם14 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

כִּ֚י15 of 20
H3588

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

אָמַ֣ר16 of 20

him there for it is told

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֔י17 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עָר֥וֹם18 of 20

me that he dealeth very

H6191

properly, to be (or make) bare; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea perhaps of smoothness) to be cunning (usually in a bad sense)

יַעְרִ֖ם19 of 20
H6196

the plane tree (from its smooth and shed bark)

הֽוּא׃20 of 20
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


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 23:22 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 23:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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