Saul's Attempts on David's Life and Jonathan's Intervention
1 Samuel 19:1-24
1 S.19.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- להמית: VERB,hiphil,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהונתן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חפץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בדוד: PREP
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 18:10-11 (thematic): Saul attempts to kill David (throws a spear at him), showing an earlier instance of the king's murderous intent toward David.
- 1 Samuel 20:1–42 (thematic): Extended account of Jonathan's protection of David and their covenant; develops Jonathan's affection and opposition to Saul's intent to kill David (parallels Jonathan's favor toward David in 19:1).
- 1 Samuel 19:11-17 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same narrative: Michal helps David escape from Saul's house, another family member thwarting Saul's attempts to kill David.
- Psalm 59:1-2 (title/context) (allusion): Davidic psalm attributed to the occasion when Saul 'sent men to watch the house to kill David'—a poetic reflection on the same threat described in 1 Sam 19:1.
- 1 Samuel 24:1-7 (thematic): David is pursued by Saul into the wilderness and later spares Saul's life; reflects the ongoing pursuit and murderous intent of Saul toward David found throughout the narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, ‘Kill David.’ But Jonathan son of Saul took great delight in David.
- Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his attendants, saying, 'Send and kill David.' But Jonathan, son of Saul, was greatly fond of David.
1 S.19.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מבקש: VERB,qal,ptc,ms,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- להמיתך: INF,hiphil,inf,2,m,sg
- ועתה: CONJ
- השמר: VERB,hitpael,imperat,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- בבקר: PREP
- וישבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בסתר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונחבאת: VERB,niphal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 20:1-3 (thematic): David again reports that Saul seeks his life and turns to Jonathan for counsel and protection; continuation of the same conflict and the friendship/warning motif.
- 1 Samuel 19:11-12 (structural): Immediate narrative follow-up: after Jonathan's warning David hides and Michal helps him escape by lowering him through a window, executing the protective plan.
- 1 Samuel 18:10-11 (thematic): Earlier episode where Saul's murderous intent toward David is explicit (attempting to pin him with a spear), showing a recurring pattern of Saul seeking David's life.
- Psalm 59:1-2 (heading) (allusion): Psalm ascribed to David 'when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him'; a poetic reflection on the same threat and the need for divine protection.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jonathan told David, ‘My father Saul seeks to kill you. Now therefore take heed in the morning; remain hidden and hide yourself.’
- Jonathan told David, 'My father Saul seeks to kill you; now therefore be on your guard in the morning—hide yourself and remain concealed.'
1 S.19.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- אצא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ועמדתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- ליד: PREP
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- אדבר: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- וראיתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- והגדתי: VERB,hiphil,perf,1,_,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam 20:5 (verbal): Jonathan proposes essentially the same plan—going out to stand by his father in the field and then reporting to David; near-verbatim policy of observation and report.
- 1 Sam 19:5-7 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: these verses show the fulfillment of the plan in v.3 when Jonathan speaks to Saul on David’s behalf and secures David’s temporary safety.
- 1 Sam 23:16-18 (thematic): Later scene in which Jonathan seeks out David to encourage him and reaffirms their covenantal friendship—continuation of Jonathan’s role as mediator/ally for David.
- Exod 32:11-14 (thematic): Moses’ intercession with God on Israel’s behalf parallels the motif of an intermediary pleading with an authoritative figure to avert judgment or harm from another.
Alternative generated candidates
- ‘And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are,’ Jonathan said, ‘and I will speak on your behalf to my father. Whatever I see I will tell you.’
- 'I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are,' Jonathan said. 'I will speak of you to my father; whatever I see I will tell you.'
1 S.19.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בדוד: PREP
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יחטא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעבדו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בדוד: PREP
- כי: CONJ
- לוא: NEG
- חטא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- וכי: CONJ
- מעשיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,sg
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 20:4 (thematic): Jonathan again advocates for and protects David, promising to learn Saul's intent and to warn/save David—continuation of Jonathan's defense of David before his father.
- 1 Samuel 23:16-18 (thematic): Jonathan strengthens David's hand and reassures him of covenantal friendship, echoing his earlier intercession and support in the face of Saul's hostility.
- 1 Samuel 24:17-18 (verbal): David confronts Saul with language parallel to 19:4—asserting he has not sinned against Saul and recounting his good deeds toward him, mirroring Jonathan's plea on David's behalf.
- 1 Samuel 26:21 (verbal): David again protestes his innocence before Saul ('I have not sinned against thee') when spared, repeating the same claim of blamelessness that Jonathan defended in 19:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, ‘May the king not sin against his servant David, for he has not wronged you; his deeds have been very beneficial to you.’
- Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, 'Let not the king sin against his servant David; he has not offended you, and his deeds have been very good to you.'
1 S.19.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- נפשו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בכפו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הפלשתי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- תשועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ותשמח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ולמה: CONJ
- תחטא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- בדם: PREP
- נקי: ADJ,m,sg
- להמית: VERB,hiphil,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חנם: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Sam.19.4 (verbal): Jonathan speaks to Saul with the same plea on David’s behalf, warning the king not to sin by harming David and arguing there is no cause to kill him—closely parallel language and intent.
- 1 Sam.24:10-11 (verbal): David spares Saul and asks, “Who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”—echoes the concern about sinning by shedding innocent blood and killing God’s chosen.
- 1 Sam.26:9-11 (verbal): Again David refuses to strike Saul, invoking the guilt of attacking the LORD’s anointed; parallels the moral and theological objection to killing David without cause.
- Exod.20:13 (thematic): The Decalogue’s prohibition “You shall not murder” provides the legal/moral background to Jonathan’s argument against unlawfully shedding innocent blood.
- Gen.9:6 (thematic): God’s injunction that whoever sheds human blood shall be held accountable (because humans are made in God’s image) resonates with the charge against killing David “without cause.”
Alternative generated candidates
- ‘He set his life in his hand and struck the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw and rejoiced—why then would you sin by shedding innocent blood and slay David without cause?’
- Then Jonathan put his life in his hand and struck the Philistine; the LORD gave a great victory to all Israel—you saw it and were glad. Why would you sin by shedding innocent blood to slay David without cause?
1 S.19.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וישבע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- יומת: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.19.4 (verbal): Jonathan intercedes on David's behalf and speaks to his father to spare David, the immediate antecedent to Saul's response and oath in 19:6.
- 1 Sam.20.42 (verbal): Jonathan and David exchange solemn oaths using the formula “As the LORD lives,” pledging mutual loyalty and protection — a parallel use of the divine oath to guarantee safety.
- 1 Sam.24.6 (thematic): David refrains from killing Saul, appealing to Saul as the LORD’s anointed and invoking divine authority as reason for restraint, paralleling the theme of divine-sanctioned protection from harm.
- 2 Sam.9:7 (structural): David honors the covenant with Jonathan by showing kindness to Jonathan’s descendant (Mephibosheth), a later outcome corresponding to the protective promises and oaths exchanged earlier between Jonathan and David.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul heeded Jonathan’s voice and swore, ‘As the LORD lives, David shall not die.’
- Saul heeded Jonathan and swore, 'As the LORD lives, David shall not die.'
1 S.19.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- יהונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כאתמול: PREP+ADV
- שלשום: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 16:21-23 (structural): David is previously brought to Saul to serve as his musician; echoes the scene of bringing David before Saul and his resumed presence in the king's court ('as at other times').
- 1 Samuel 18:1-4 (thematic): Jonathan's deep friendship and covenant with David explains his protective intervention here—motivating him to defend and restore David to Saul's presence.
- 1 Samuel 19:5-6 (verbal): The immediate preceding verses record Jonathan's defense of David to Saul; verse 7 reports the outcome (Jonathan brings David and he appears before Saul as before), so the passages function as direct narrative parallels.
- 1 Samuel 24:16-22 (thematic): After David spares Saul in the cave, Saul briefly acknowledges David's righteousness and promises not to harm him—another episode of temporary reconciliation/acceptance of David by Saul, paralleling the brief restoration in 19:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jonathan called David and recounted to him all these words. Jonathan brought David before Saul, and he was as before in his presence, as on the previous days.
- Jonathan called David and recounted all these things to him. Jonathan brought David before Saul, and David stood in Saul's presence as he had before.
1 S.19.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותוסף: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילחם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בפלשתים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- וינסו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- מפניו: PREP+3ms
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 17:50 (verbal): David strikes the Philistine and wins a decisive victory; language and action (David smites the Philistine; enemy routed) closely parallel the motif of a great blow and the foe fleeing.
- 1 Samuel 18:5 (structural): Describes David going out in battle and prospering before Saul and the people—continues the pattern of David’s repeated successes in combat that the verse reflects.
- 2 Samuel 5:20–21 (verbal): Narrates a later battle against the Philistines where David 'smote them with a great slaughter' and they fled—directly parallels the same victory formula and verb imagery.
- 1 Chronicles 14:8–12 (quotation): Chronicles retells David’s campaign against the Philistines, recording that David struck them and they fled—essentially a parallel/quotation of the Samuel account of the victory.
Alternative generated candidates
- The fighting continued, and David went out and fought the Philistines, striking them a great blow; they fled before him.
- The war continued, and David went out and fought the Philistines; he struck them with a great blow, and they fled before him.
1 S.19.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- בביתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- וחניתו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בידו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ודוד: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מנגן: VERB,piel,ptc,ms,sg
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 16:14-23 (verbal): Same language and episode: 'an evil spirit from the LORD' troubles Saul, and David is brought to play music to soothe him (esp. v.14 and v.23).
- 1 Samuel 18:10-11 (quotation): A near-duplicate account: the evil spirit comes upon Saul, he prophesies in the house, and David plays for him; the narrative repeats the motif of Saul's violent reaction toward David.
- 1 Samuel 19:10 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same scene: Saul attempts to pin David to the wall with his spear—direct narrative consequence of the evil spirit's agitation in v.9.
- 1 Samuel 10:10-11 (thematic): Earlier instance where the Spirit of the LORD falls on Saul and he prophesies; thematically related as another episode of spirit-induced prophetic behavior (contrast between prophetic ecstasy and the 'evil spirit' in 19:9).
Alternative generated candidates
- But an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul while he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing the lyre.
- But an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul while he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing music with his hand.
1 S.19.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבקש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להכות: VERB,qal,inf
- בחנית: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בדוד: PREP
- ובקיר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויפטר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מפני: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- החנית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בקיר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודוד: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נס: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- וימלט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בלילה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 18:10-11 (verbal): Saul previously hurled a spear at David in an attempt to pin him to the wall—nearly identical action and wording to the attempt recorded in 19:10.
- 1 Samuel 19:9 (structural): Immediate context of the same episode: an evil spirit from the LORD seizes Saul, provoking him to try to thrust David with a spear; 19:10 continues this action.
- 1 Samuel 24:4-7 (thematic): David has a later opportunity to kill Saul (cutting off his robe in the cave) but spares him—contrasts Saul’s repeated attempts to kill David with David’s restraint and mercy.
- 1 Samuel 26:7-12 (verbal): David enters Saul’s camp and takes Saul’s spear and water bottle while he sleeps; repeats the spear imagery and again highlights David’s refusal to harm Saul despite the earlier attempted murders.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but David escaped Saul’s presence twice. Saul struck the spear into the wall; and by night David fled and got away.
- Saul sought to pin David to the wall with his spear, but David eluded Saul twice. Saul hurled the spear at him into the wall; David fled and escaped that night.
1 S.19.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשמרו: VERB,qal,infc,3,m,sg
- ולהמיתו: VERB,hif,infc,3,m,sg
- בבקר: PREP
- ותגד: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מיכל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- אם: CONJ
- אינך: PART_NEG,2,m,sg
- ממלט: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מחר: ADV
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- מומת: VERB,nip,ptcp,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.20:1-42 (thematic): Jonathan discovers Saul's plot and warns David, arranging signals and an escape—another close ally (here a friend) protecting David from the king’s attempt to kill him.
- 1 Sam.25:2-35 (thematic): Abigail intervenes to avert David’s violent response and brings warning and provision—parallel motif of a woman’s timely intervention to prevent bloodshed and rescue a man from deadly consequences.
- Josh.2:1-7 (thematic): Rahab hides the Israelite spies and misleads the king’s messengers, protecting fugitives from royal agents—similar theme of someone sheltering endangered fugitives from a ruler’s men.
- Acts 12:6-11 (thematic): Peter is held by guards with intent of execution but escapes at night (through divine/extraordinary means); parallels the motif of a threatened killing by armed agents and a nocturnal deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and to put him to death in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, ‘If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be put to death.’
- Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch him and to put him to death in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him, 'If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be put to death.'
1 S.19.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותרד: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מיכל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעד: PREP
- החלון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויברח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וימלט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam 19:11 (structural): Immediate context: Michal deceives Saul’s messengers and arranges for David’s escape by letting him down through a window (the same episode, preceding verse).
- 2 Kings 11:2-3 (thematic): Jehosheba hides the young Joash from Athaliah’s purge—parallel motif of a woman secretly protecting and preserving a threatened royal/leader.
- 1 Sam 21:10-15 (thematic): David’s flight to Achish and his ruse of feigning madness are another instance of David escaping mortal danger by unconventional means.
- 2 Sam 15:13-14 (thematic): David’s later flight from Jerusalem when Absalom revolts echoes the motif of a king/leader forced to flee his house for safety.
- Gen 39:12 (thematic): Joseph’s abrupt flight from Potiphar’s wife (leaving his garment behind) shares the motif of sudden escape from imminent personal danger.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Michal let David down through the window, and he went and fled and escaped.
- So Michal let David down through the window, and he went and fled and escaped.
1 S.19.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- מיכל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- התרפים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ותשם: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- המטה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כביר: NOUN,m,sg,const
- העזים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- שמה: ADV
- מראשתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ותכס: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בבגד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 31:19 (verbal): Uses the same term teraphim (household idols) and describes concealment of these small household gods—parallel in vocabulary and act of hiding idols.
- Genesis 31:34-35 (thematic): Rachel's deception when Laban searches for his teraphim (she sits on them and denies taking them) parallels Michal's ruse using teraphim to mislead a searching party.
- Judges 17:5; Judges 18:17 (thematic): The episodes about Micah's teraphim and the Danites' seizure show the social/religious role of household idols (teraphim) in domestic contexts, comparable to Michal's use of a teraphim as a household object.
- 1 Samuel 19:11-12 (structural): Immediate narrative context: these verses describe Michal letting David down through the window and setting up the deception that culminates in 19:13—the substitution and staging of David's 'bed' with a teraphim.
Alternative generated candidates
- Michal took the household idol and laid it upon the bed, and put the goats’ hair at its head, and covered it with a garment.
- Michal took the household idols and laid them on the bed, and she put a goatskin at the head of it and covered it with a garment.
1 S.19.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לקחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 19:11–17 (structural): Immediate narrative context: Michal deceives Saul’s messengers by saying David is ill and then helps him escape through a window to save his life (verse 14 is part of this episode).
- 1 Samuel 21:12–15 (thematic): David later feigns madness before Achish’s men to avoid harm—another instance of pretending illness or abnormality as a ruse to escape death.
- Joshua 2:1–7 (thematic): Rahab hides Israelite spies and misleads the king’s messengers to protect fugitives; parallels the use of deception to shelter endangered persons.
- Genesis 12:10–13 (thematic): Abraham tells Pharaoh that Sarah is his sister to avoid being killed for her—an earlier example of protective deceit concerning a spouse.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Saul’s messengers came to take David, she said, ‘He is ill.’
- When Saul sent messengers to seize David, Michal said, 'He is ill.'
1 S.19.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- המלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לראות: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- העלו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- במטה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- להמתו: VERB,hiphil,inf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.18:25-27 (structural): Saul arranges a dangerous bride-price and sends David into battle expecting he will be killed—an earlier attempt by Saul to have David put to death by others.
- 1 Sam.19:11-12 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel: Saul sends men to David's house to watch and kill him, and Michal lets David down through a window to escape.
- 1 Sam.19:20-24 (structural): Continuation of the same episode: Saul repeatedly sends messengers to seize David but they are overcome by prophetic/Spirit activity and fail—shows the recurring failed attempts to capture him.
- Ps.59:1-3 (thematic): David laments enemies lying in wait to kill him and pleads for deliverance—poetic reflection on the same threat to his life posed by Saul and his men.
- John 11:53 (thematic): The Jewish leaders begin to plot Jesus' death because of his influence—a New Testament parallel theme of authorities conspiring to kill an anointed/central figure.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul sent the messengers again, saying, ‘Bring him up in the bed to me, that I may kill him.’
- Saul sent the messengers back to see David, saying, 'Bring him up on the bed to me that I may kill him.'
1 S.19.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- המלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והנה: ADV
- התרפים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אל: NEG
- המטה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכביר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- העזים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מראשתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 31:19-35 (thematic): Rachel steals and hides her father Laban’s household gods (teraphim); both passages feature teraphim as small household idols kept and concealed within a domestic setting.
- Judges 17:5-13 (thematic): The story of Micah’s teraphim and household cult—illustrates the use and significance of teraphim as domestic religious/ritual objects in Israel, parallel to Michal’s placement of teraphim in David’s bed.
- Judges 18:17-20, 30 (allusion): The Danite relocation of teraphim to a new shrine shows the broader motif of teraphim serving as portable household/tribal cult images, echoing their role in 1 Sam 19 as movable domestic idols used in personal intrigue.
- Genesis 27:16-23 (verbal): Jacob’s use of goatskins to disguise himself as Esau parallels the explicit detail of a 'cover of goats’ hair' at the head of the bed in 1 Sam 19:16—both texts use goat hair/skins as material props in an act of deception.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the messengers came, behold, the household idol was on the bed, and the goats’ hair at its head.
- When the messengers came, behold, the household idols were on the bed, and the goatskin was at its head.
1 S.19.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- מיכל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למה: ADV
- ככה: ADV
- רמיתני: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg+PRON,1,sg
- ותשלחי: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- איבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss=1s
- וימלט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מיכל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- שלחני: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- למה: ADV
- אמיתך: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 27:8-13 (thematic): A family member (Rebekah) contrives deception to protect/promote a favored son (Jacob); parallels Michal’s deception to protect David from Saul.
- Exodus 1:15-21 (thematic): Hebrew midwives deceive Pharaoh to preserve infants’ lives; like Michal, they use deception to save a life threatened by royal command.
- Joshua 2:4-6 (thematic): Rahab hides Israelite spies and misleads the king’s men to protect them; thematically similar to Michal hiding and aiding David’s escape.
- 1 Samuel 19:11-16 (structural): Immediate narrative context: Saul’s messengers are set to kill David, Michal warns him and facilitates his escape (lowering him through a window and placing a substitute in the bed), directly leading to verse 19:17.
- 2 Samuel 6:20-23 (allusion): Later episode showing Michal’s estrangement from David (her rebuke and childlessness); provides a subsequent theological/characterological consequence to her earlier action in 1 Sam 19.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul said to Michal, ‘Why have you thus deceived me and sent my enemy away so that he has escaped?’ Michal answered Saul, ‘He said to me, “Let me go—why should I kill you?”’
- Saul said to Michal, 'Why have you deceived me so and sent my enemy away, that he has escaped?' Michal answered Saul, 'He said to me, "Let me go—why should I kill you?"'
1 S.19.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ודוד: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ברח: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- וימלט: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הרמתה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs+3,f,sg
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ושמואל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בניות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 19:19-24 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: David reports Saul’s actions to Samuel at Ramah and he and Samuel remain at Naioth; the passage also records Saul’s arrival and prophetic behavior there, directly connected to v.18.
- 1 Samuel 21:10-15 (thematic): Another instance of David fleeing Saul and seeking refuge among hostile territory (Gath); like 19:18 this passage highlights David’s flight, vulnerability, and measures taken to avoid Saul’s wrath.
- 1 Samuel 23:14-18 (thematic): Depicts David hiding from Saul (in the wilderness of Ziph) and receiving encouragement from Jonathan—paralleling the motif of escape, refuge, and support from allies after Saul’s pursuit.
- 1 Kings 19:3-9 (allusion): Elijah’s flight from Jezebel to Horeb/Desert parallels the prophetic motif of seeking refuge from royal hostility; both passages portray a prophet (or future king) in exile, finding sanctuary and a space for divine encounter.
Alternative generated candidates
- David fled and escaped and came to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. David and Samuel went and stayed at Naioth.
- David fled and escaped and came to Samuel at Ramah; and he told him all that Saul had done to him. Then David and Samuel went and stayed at Naioth.
1 S.19.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לשאול: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הנה: PART
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בניות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ברמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 19:18 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel: the surrounding verses report David's arrival at Naioth in Ramah and his association with Samuel—repeating the same fact and setting.
- 1 Samuel 19:20 (structural): Direct continuation of the episode: after being told David is at Naioth, Saul sends messengers there—shows the immediate reaction to the report in the narrative sequence.
- 1 Samuel 19:23-24 (thematic): Related episode at Ramah: Saul himself goes to Naioth/Ramah and is overcome by prophetic ecstasy, a divine intervention motif that protects David in the same location.
- 1 Samuel 24:1-2 (thematic): Parallel motif of pursuit and reports of David's whereabouts: Saul is informed about David's location (in the wilderness/Engedi) and pursues him—echoes the recurring pattern of intelligence about David's refuge and Saul's response.
Alternative generated candidates
- It was told Saul, ‘Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.’
- It was reported to Saul, 'Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.'
1 S.19.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לקחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- להקת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הנביאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- נבאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ושמואל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נצב: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- מלאכי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויתנבאו: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,pl
- גם: ADV
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:5-11 (verbal): Same motif and language: a 'band of prophets' and the Spirit of the LORD coming upon individuals so that they prophesy (Saul meets prophets and prophesies).
- Numbers 11:24-26 (verbal): Parallel formula: the Spirit of the LORD falls on people and they prophesy (Moses' elders), showing the wider Israelite pattern of Spirit-induced prophecy.
- 1 Samuel 19:23-24 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: when Saul comes himself the Spirit of God seizes him and he prophesies—this explains why Saul’s attempts to seize David repeatedly fail.
- 1 Samuel 18:10-11 (thematic): Earlier instance of Saul's hostile attempts on David’s life; contrasts Saul's torment (an evil spirit) and the recurring pattern of Saul sending men to seize David that is overturned in 19:20 by prophetic activity.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul sent messengers to take David; and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s messengers and they too prophesied.
- Saul sent messengers to take David; and when they saw the company of prophets prophesying and Samuel standing as their head, the spirit of God came upon Saul's messengers and they too prophesied.
1 S.19.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגדו: VERB,piel,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לשאול: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ויתנבאו: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,pl
- גם: ADV
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- ויסף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ויתנבאו: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,pl
- גם: ADV
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:5-6 (verbal): Saul meets a band of prophets and is told the Spirit of the LORD will come upon him so that he will prophesy with them — similar language and the phenomenon of unexpected prophetic activity among those sent or gathered.
- 1 Samuel 10:10-11 (verbal): When the Spirit of God comes on Saul he prophesies among the prophets and onlookers ask whether Saul is also among the prophets — parallels the surprise conversion of Saul's messengers into prophets.
- 1 Samuel 19:24 (structural): Immediate continuation of the scene: Saul himself strips off his clothes and prophesies before Samuel, showing the same overpowering prophetic effect that affected his messengers in v.21.
- 1 Samuel 18:10-11 (thematic): An earlier incident where an evil/spirit from the LORD seizes Saul and he prophesies in the house — thematically related as another episode of prophetic ecstasy linked with Saul and his hostility toward David.
Alternative generated candidates
- They reported to Saul, who sent other messengers, and they likewise prophesied; and Saul sent yet other messengers, thirty in number, and they prophesied also.
- They reported back to Saul, and he sent other messengers; the spirit came upon them, and they also prophesied. Again Saul sent messengers—thirty in all—and they prophesied likewise.
1 S.19.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- הרמתה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs+3,f,sg
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- בור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בשכו: PREP
- וישאל: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איפה: ADV
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ודוד: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- בניות: NOUN,f,pl,const
- ברמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 19:18 (structural): Immediate context: earlier line in the same episode that reports David fleeing to Ramah/Naioth and joining Samuel — sets up the scene referenced in 19:22.
- 1 Samuel 19:23-24 (verbal): Direct continuation: Saul himself is seized by the Spirit and prophesies in Naioth, producing the famous question 'Is Saul also among the prophets?' — the same prophetic setting that 19:22 locates David within.
- 1 Samuel 10:5-11 (verbal): Parallel episode where the Spirit of God comes upon Saul and he prophesies among a company of prophets; the repeated language and the question 'Is Saul also among the prophets?' tie the two scenes together.
- 1 Samuel 21:10-15 (thematic): Thematic parallel of David on the run seeking refuge (here in Gath) and taking extraordinary measures to survive — another episode illustrating David’s flight from Saul and the precariousness of his position.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul himself went to Ramah; he came to the great well at Secu and asked, ‘Where are Samuel and David?’ They answered, ‘Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.’
- Then Saul himself went to Ramah and came to the great cistern at Seku. He asked, 'Where are Samuel and David?' They answered, 'Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.'
1 S.19.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- אל: NEG
- ניות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ברמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הלוך: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg
- ויתנבא: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בניות: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ברמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Sam.10.10 (verbal): Same motif and similar language: the Spirit of God comes on Saul and he prophesies among a band of prophets (Saul’s prophetic ecstasy when he meets the prophets).
- 1 Sam.19.24 (structural): Immediate continuation/parallel account of the same episode at Naioth — Saul strips off his clothes and prophesies before Samuel and the others (same scene and outcome).
- 1 Sam.16.13 (verbal): The Spirit of the LORD comes upon David from that day forward (similar wording about the Spirit’s coming upon Israel’s leaders and effecting a change in their behavior/calling).
- Num.11.25-29 (thematic): Elders receive the Spirit and begin to prophesy (the broader theme that God’s Spirit can come upon various persons, producing prophetic speech and raising questions about exclusivity of prophecy).
- Judg.13.25 (thematic): The Spirit of the Lord begins to move Samson (another instance in the Deuteronomistic history where the Spirit empowers an individual for extraordinary action, echoing the motif of divine empowerment).
Alternative generated candidates
- He went there to Naioth in Ramah, and the Spirit of God also came upon him; he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
- He went there to Naioth in Ramah, and the spirit of God came upon him also; he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
1 S.19.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפשט: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- בגדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויתנבא: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ערם: ADJ,m,sg
- כל: DET
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- הגם: CONJ
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנביאם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:10-12 (verbal): Earlier episode where Saul is seized by prophecy, strips/clothes and the crowd asks, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" — near-verbatim echo of 19:24.
- 1 Samuel 10:5-6 (thematic): God’s promise that the Spirit will come upon Saul and he will prophesy; provides the theological pattern that explains Saul’s prophetic frenzy in 19:24.
- Numbers 11:25-29 (thematic): The Spirit falls on Eldad and Medad and they prophesy unexpectedly in the camp—parallel motif of spontaneous prophetic inspiration affecting those outside the formal prophetic guild.
- Isaiah 20:2-4 (thematic): A prophet removes garments and walks naked as a prophetic sign; resonates thematically with Saul’s stripping and nakedness in the context of prophetic action.
Alternative generated candidates
- He stripped off his clothes too and prophesied before Samuel; he lay naked all that day and all that night. Therefore it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
- He stripped off his garments and prophesied before Samuel; he lay naked all that day and all that night. Therefore it became a proverb, 'Is Saul also among the prophets?'
Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, saying, 'Tell them to kill David.' But Jonathan son of Saul was very fond of David.
Jonathan told David, 'My father Saul seeks to kill you. Now therefore be on your guard in the morning; stay hidden and lie in concealment.'
I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are; and I will speak of you to my father. If I see what will be, I will tell you.'
Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, 'Let not the king sin against his servant David; for he has not wronged you, and his deeds have been very beneficial to you.
He put his life in his hand and struck down the Philistine; and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and were glad; why then would you sin to shed innocent blood and to kill David without cause?'
Saul listened to Jonathan's voice and swore, 'As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.'
Jonathan called David and related to him all these words. Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was before him as he had been formerly.
The war continued, and David went out and fought the Philistines; he struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him. But an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul while he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, and David was playing the lyre.
Saul sought to pin David to the wall with his spear; but David eluded him as Saul hurled the spear. Saul struck the spear into the wall, and David escaped and fled that night.
Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch him and to put him to death in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him, 'If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be put to death.' So Michal let David down through the window; he went and fled and escaped.
Michal took a household idol and laid it on the bed, and put a goats' hair cover at its head and spread a cloth over it.
Saul sent the messengers to take David; and Michal said, 'He is ill.'
Saul sent the messengers back to see David, saying, 'Bring him up on the bed to me that I may put him to death.'
When the messengers came, behold, the household idol was on the bed and the goats' hair cover at its head.
Saul said to Michal, 'Why have you deceived me thus and sent away my enemy, so that he has escaped?' Michal answered Saul, 'He said to me, “Let me go; why should I kill you?”'
David fled and escaped and went to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then David and Samuel went and stayed at Naioth.
When it was told Saul, 'Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah,'
Saul sent messengers to take David. When they saw a band of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they too prophesied.
They reported back to Saul; and he sent other messengers, who prophesied likewise. Saul sent thirty men, and they prophesied too.
Saul himself went to Ramah, he came to the great well at Secu, and asked, 'Where are Samuel and David?' They answered, 'Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.'
When he went there to Naioth in Ramah, the Spirit of God came upon him also; and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
He stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel; he lay naked all that day and all that night. Therefore it is said, 'Is Saul also among the prophets?'