And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

1 SAMUEL 22:13KJV
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1 Samuel 22:13 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 22:13 mean?

1 Samuel 22:13 records King Saul accusing Ahimelech the priest of conspiring with David (called "the son of Jesse") against him by giving David food, a sword, and seeking God's guidance for him, which Saul claims helped David plot against the king. Saul sees Ahimelech’s actions as direct support for David, whom Saul now views as his enemy.

In this verse, Saul is speaking to Ahimelech after David has fled from Saul’s court and visited the priests at Nob. Saul interprets Ahimelech’s help—providing bread and Goliath’s sword, and inquiring of God on David’s behalf—as intentional betrayal. This accusation sets the stage for Saul’s harsh response to the priests, showing how Saul’s fear and suspicion have grown.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 22:13

  • "Conspired" (קָשַׁר, qāshar): This word means to bind together or plot, often used for secret alliances or treason. Saul is accusing Ahimelech of forming a secret alliance with David, which is a serious charge.
  • "Enquired" (שָׁאַל, shā’al): This word means to ask or seek, especially to seek guidance from God. Saul is upset that Ahimelech sought God’s will for David, seeing it as taking David’s side.
  • "Lie in wait" (אֹרֵב, ōrēv): This word means to ambush or set a trap. Saul is accusing David of plotting an ambush against him, showing how threatened Saul feels.

Why 1 Samuel 22:13 matters

  • This verse highlights Saul’s growing paranoia and how he interprets even innocent actions as threats, which helps explain his later violent actions against the priests.
  • The accusation against Ahimelech shows how dangerous it was to be associated with David during Saul’s reign, even for those simply offering hospitality or spiritual help.
  • Understanding Saul’s use of strong words like "conspired" and "lie in wait" helps the reader see the intensity of Saul’s fear and suspicion, which drives the tragic events that follow.

Where else these words appear

“Jesse” Hebrew H3448 · used in 39 verses

  • Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
  • 1 Samuel 16:22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
  • 2 Samuel 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

“wait” Hebrew H693 · used in 40 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:11 But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:
  • Judges 16:9 Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.
  • Psalms 10:9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

“conspired” Hebrew H7194 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 30:41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
  • 1 Kings 16:20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 25:27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.