That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

1 SAMUEL 22:8KJV
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1 Samuel 22:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 22:8 mean?

1 Samuel 22:8 shows King Saul accusing his officials of secretly working against him and hiding information about his son Jonathan’s alliance with David, the son of Jesse. Saul complains that none of his servants feel sorry for him or warn him that Jonathan has encouraged David to oppose him.

King Saul is speaking to his own servants, expressing deep suspicion and frustration. Saul believes there is a conspiracy among his closest men because no one has told him about Jonathan’s friendship with David or warned him of any threat. The verse highlights Saul’s growing paranoia and sense of betrayal as he feels isolated and endangered by those closest to him.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 22:8

  • "conspired" (קָשַׁר, qashar): This word means to bind together or plot. Saul is accusing his servants of actively working together against him, not just being passive.
  • "league" (כָּרַת, karat): This word often means to cut, and in this context, it refers to making a formal agreement or covenant. Saul sees Jonathan’s relationship with David as a binding pact that threatens his own position.
  • "sorry" (חָלָה, chalah): This word can mean to be sick or grieved. Saul is saying that none of his servants are emotionally troubled or sympathetic about his situation, emphasizing his feeling of abandonment.
  • "wait" (אֹרֵב, oreb): This word means to lie in ambush. Saul accuses David, with Jonathan’s help, of plotting to attack him, showing how threatened he feels.

Why 1 Samuel 22:8 matters

  • The verse reveals Saul’s deep mistrust and insecurity, which are key to understanding his later actions against David and even his own son Jonathan.
  • Saul’s words show how fear and jealousy can distort someone’s view of those around them, turning friends and family into imagined enemies.
  • This verse sets the stage for the tragic breakdown of relationships in Saul’s court and helps explain why David must flee for his life.

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.

“sorry” Hebrew H2470 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 48:1 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
  • 2 Kings 20:12 At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
  • Isaiah 39:1 At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.