1 Samuel 23:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 23:21 mean?

1 Samuel 23:21 shows Saul responding to people who have helped him by saying, “Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.” Saul is thanking them and invoking God’s blessing because they have shown concern for his situation.

In this moment, Saul is speaking to the Ziphites, who have just offered to help him find David, whom Saul is trying to capture. Saul’s words reveal both his gratitude and his belief that their actions are in his favor, even though his pursuit of David is driven by jealousy and fear. The verse highlights how Saul uses religious language to encourage those who support his personal mission.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 23:21

• בָּרוּךְ (barukh, “Blessed”): This word is often used to invoke God’s favor or approval. Saul is not just saying “thank you,” but calling for God’s blessing on the Ziphites, giving his gratitude a spiritual weight.
• יְהוָה (YHWH, “LORD”): Saul specifically names the God of Israel, showing he wants the Ziphites to feel their actions are not just helpful to him, but also seen and approved by God.
• חָמַל (ḥamal, “compassion”): This word can mean to show pity, mercy, or concern. Saul frames the Ziphites’ help as an act of kindness toward him, though in context, it is about betraying David.

Why 1 Samuel 23:21 matters

• The verse shows how Saul uses spiritual language to motivate and reward those who help him, even when his goals are questionable.
• It highlights the tension in Saul’s leadership—he seeks God’s blessing for actions that are actually part of his pursuit of David, who is innocent.
• The verse connects to the wider story by showing how Saul’s desperation leads him to rely on others and cloak his actions in religious terms, revealing the complexity of his character.