to ask
sha.al describes asking for a desired gift or outcome, seeking guidance, and putting questions to another person.
The verb most often marks a person making a request for something desired, whether from God or from another person; it also occurs when someone seeks divine direction and when a speaker asks for information. The supplied verses show requests for a king, a child, goods, discernment, and death, alongside questions about people, welfare, and commanded statutes.
Senses in use
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Making a request for something desired · dominant
This use concerns an appeal for a gift, outcome, or possession. In 1 Kings 3:11, the repeated Qal perfect forms distinguish what Solomon had sought—discernment rather than long life, riches, or his enemies' lives—while in Exodus 12:35 the APB renders the clause as Israel asking Egypt for silver, gold, and mantles. In 1 Samuel 12:13, the people's completed request concerns a king.
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Seeking guidance or an answer from God · common
In these clauses, the Qal forms introduce a question directed to God before action or in uncertainty. In 1 Chronicles 14:10, David asks whether to go up against the Philistines and whether they will be given into his hand; in 1 Samuel 14:37, Saul asks whether to pursue the Philistines, but the APB says that God did not answer that day. 1 Samuel 10:22 likewise presents an inquiry to the LORD about whether a man was still coming.
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Putting a question to someone · occasional
This use is shown where the clause seeks information from another person rather than a requested possession or divine direction. In Deuteronomy 6:20, a son's Qal imperfect question concerns the testimonies, statutes, and judgments; in Genesis 24:47, the speaker asks whose daughter the woman is. In Exodus 18:7, each man asks his neighbor about peace.
In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the supplied verses, the APB commonly uses “asked” or “asking,” while clauses directed to God are also rendered “inquired” or “consult.” It also renders information-seeking clauses with questions; these are verse-level renderings rather than definitions.