1 Samuel 22:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 22:15 mean?

1 Samuel 22:15 records Ahimelech the priest defending himself before King Saul, insisting he did not knowingly help David against the king and asking Saul not to hold him or his family responsible. Ahimelech claims he was unaware of any wrongdoing and had not begun to seek God on David’s behalf in a way that would suggest betrayal.

Ahimelech is speaking to Saul after Saul accuses him of conspiring with David, who is fleeing from Saul. The priest pleads his innocence, saying he did not start inquiring of God for David in any suspicious way and that he knew nothing about any plot or conflict. This verse shows Ahimelech’s attempt to clear himself and his family from blame, emphasizing his lack of knowledge about the situation.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 22:15

• "enquire" (שָׁאַל, sha'al): This word often means to ask or seek, especially inquiring of God for guidance. Ahimelech uses it to deny that he was seeking God’s will for David in a way that would suggest he was part of a rebellion.
• "impute" (שִׂים, sim): This word means to lay, set, or assign responsibility. Ahimelech is asking Saul not to assign guilt or blame to him or his family.
• "less" (קָטֹן, qaton) and "more" (גָּדוֹל, gadol): These words mean "small" and "great." Ahimelech is saying he knew nothing at all—neither the smallest nor the greatest detail—about any supposed conspiracy.

Why 1 Samuel 22:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that Ahimelech was not intentionally helping David against Saul, which is important for understanding the fairness of Saul’s later actions against the priests.
• Ahimelech’s defense highlights the danger of acting on suspicion without evidence, a theme that runs through Saul’s reign and downfall.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the tragic consequences of Saul’s paranoia and the innocent suffering that results from it.