1 Samuel 19:15

KJV

And Saul sent the messengers [again] to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul {H7586} sent {H7971} the messengers {H4397} again to see {H7200} David {H1732}, saying {H559}, Bring him up {H5927} to me in the bed {H4296}, that I may slay {H4191} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul sent the messengers to see David with the order, "Bring him up to me, bed and all, so that I can kill him."

Berean Standard Bible

But Saul sent the messengers back to see David and told them, “Bring him up to me in his bed so I can kill him.”

American Standard Version

And Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 19:15 vividly portrays King Saul's unyielding and murderous resolve against David, demanding his capture even if bedridden, so he could personally execute him. This verse follows Michal's ingenious deception, where she helped David escape by placing a household idol in his bed to simulate his presence. Saul's immediate, suspicious response and his insistence on seeing David himself underscore the depth of his paranoia and the destructive power of his unchecked jealousy, highlighting the escalating conflict between the anointed king and God's chosen successor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical juncture within the immediate narrative of 1 Samuel 19, specifically following Michal's quick thinking to save David's life (1 Samuel 19:11-17). Having warned David of Saul's intent to kill him, Michal lowers David through a window. She then places a household idol (*teraphim*) in David's bed, covering it with a goat's hair blanket, and claims David is sick. When Saul's initial messengers arrive, they are told David is ill. However, Saul, driven by an obsessive determination to eliminate David, refuses to accept this report. Verse 15 marks his second, more forceful command, revealing his suspicion and his demand for direct evidence of David's presence, even if it means dragging him from his sickbed. This intensifies the dramatic tension, showcasing Saul's relentless pursuit and David's narrow escapes, which characterize this entire section of 1 Samuel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period is late 11th century BCE, a time of transition in Israel's monarchy. Saul, Israel's first king, is increasingly unstable, marked by fits of rage and an "evil spirit from the Lord" (1 Samuel 16:14). His animosity towards David stems from David's military successes, the people's adoration, and God's clear favor upon David, culminating in Samuel's anointing of David as the future king (1 Samuel 16:1-13). Saul perceives David as a direct threat to his throne and dynasty, leading to repeated attempts on David's life, including javelin throws (1 Samuel 18:11; 1 Samuel 19:10). The use of *teraphim* by Michal (1 Samuel 19:13) is culturally significant; these were household gods or cultic images, sometimes associated with inheritance rights or divination, and their presence in a seemingly devout Israelite household indicates a complex religious landscape despite the Mosaic prohibitions against idolatry. Saul's command to "bring him up to me in the bed" reflects the absolute authority of the king and the expectation of immediate obedience, even when dealing with a seemingly infirm subject.
* **Key Themes:** Several significant themes converge in this verse. Firstly, **Escalating Malice and Paranoia** is starkly evident in Saul's unwavering determination to kill David, even after Michal's initial deception. His command to bring David "in the bed" highlights the depths of his hatred and his willingness to commit murder against a supposedly helpless individual, driven by unchecked envy and a demonic influence. Secondly, the theme of **Divine Protection and Providence** is powerfully demonstrated. Despite Saul's fervent and relentless efforts, God consistently provides a way of escape for David, whether through Jonathan's loyalty, Michal's quick thinking, or other providential interventions. David's life is preserved through various means, underscoring God's faithfulness to His chosen one and His sovereign hand in orchestrating events, as seen in David's later reflections on God's deliverance (e.g., [Psalm 34:7](/psalms/34-7 "Psalm 34:7 - The Angel of the Lord Encamps")). Lastly, the narrative touches upon **Human Agency and Moral Complexity**, particularly through Michal's actions. While her deception involves a lie and the use of an idol, her motivation is to save her husband's life from her murderous father, presenting a morally ambiguous situation within the broader narrative of God's unfolding plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sent (Hebrew, _shalach'_):** While the KJV adds "[again]" for clarity, the Hebrew verb *shalach* (שָׁלַח) simply means "to send." The iterative nature of Saul's action is derived from the context, as this is his second dispatch of messengers after the first group reported David's supposed illness. This repetition underscores Saul's suspicion, impatience, and unyielding determination to confirm David's presence and carry out his murderous intent. It signifies a refusal to be thwarted.
* **Bed (Hebrew, _mittah'_):** The word *mittah* (מִטָּה) refers to a couch or bed. Saul's command to bring David "in the bed" is chillingly specific. It implies that even if David is genuinely sick or incapacitated, Saul wants him brought to him, highlighting the king's absolute authority and his desire to see David in a state of vulnerability, making his execution seem more like an official act rather than a pursuit. It strips David of any dignity or potential for resistance.
* **Slay (Hebrew, _harag'_):** The verb *harag* (הָרַג) is a direct and forceful term for killing, often implying a violent or premeditated act. It leaves no ambiguity about Saul's ultimate intention. This is not merely about apprehending David but about his immediate and decisive termination, demonstrating the depth of Saul's murderous rage and his complete disregard for David's life, despite David's previous loyalty and service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul sent the messengers [again] to see David":** This clause reveals Saul's immediate suspicion and his refusal to accept the initial report that David was sick. His sending of messengers "again" (implied by context) indicates his relentless pursuit and his determination to verify David's presence personally. It highlights his obsessive focus on David and his unwillingness to be deterred from his murderous goal.
* **"saying, Bring him up to me in the bed":** This command is chillingly precise. Saul demands that David be brought to him, even if he is in a state of weakness or illness, lying in his bed. This demonstrates Saul's absolute authority and his desire to humiliate David, bringing him forth in a state of vulnerability, making escape or resistance impossible. It underscores the extent of Saul's control and his intention to personally oversee David's fate.
* **"that I may slay him":** This final phrase explicitly states Saul's murderous intent. There is no pretense of a trial or judgment; Saul's sole purpose is to kill David. This raw declaration reveals the depth of his hatred and the consuming nature of the evil spirit that afflicts him, transforming him from a king into a relentless persecutor.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is present, as the reader knows David is not in the bed, but Saul, in his obsessive rage, believes he is. This creates tension and highlights Saul's delusion. **Foreshadowing** is also evident; Saul's escalating attempts to kill David foreshadow the prolonged period of persecution David will endure, forcing him to live as a fugitive. This relentless pursuit will shape David's character and leadership. The scene also utilizes **Symbolism**: the "bed" here symbolizes vulnerability and helplessness, contrasting sharply with Saul's desire for absolute power and control. Saul's command to bring David in his bed is a symbolic act of ultimate degradation and power assertion. The rapid succession of events—Michal's deception, the initial messengers, Saul's immediate suspicion, and the second, more aggressive command—builds **Suspense**, keeping the reader on edge about David's fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 19:15 powerfully illustrates the theological truth of divine sovereignty and protection over God's chosen ones, even amidst intense human malice. Saul's relentless pursuit, fueled by an evil spirit and unchecked jealousy, represents the forces of opposition that God's people often face. Yet, God's providential hand is evident in David's repeated, miraculous escapes, often through unexpected means like Michal's deception. This passage underscores that while human evil can be deeply destructive, it ultimately cannot thwart God's divine purposes for those He has called and anointed. It also serves as a sobering warning about the corrupting nature of envy and a refusal to submit to God's will, which can lead even a king to irrational and murderous behavior.

* [Psalm 18:1-3](/psalms/18-1 "Psalm 18:1-3 - David's Song of Deliverance from Saul")
* [Psalm 34:19](/psalms/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - If God is for us, who can be against us?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 1 Samuel 19:15 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that even when facing seemingly insurmountable opposition or relentless adversaries, God's protective hand is sovereign and active. Just as David experienced repeated deliverances, often through surprising and unconventional means, we are called to trust in God's faithfulness to preserve and guide us through our own trials. This passage also serves as a stark warning against the destructive power of unchecked negative emotions, particularly jealousy, envy, and bitterness. Saul's descent into madness and murderous intent illustrates how these sins can consume an individual, leading to irrational and self-destructive behavior. It challenges us to examine our own hearts, to surrender our desires and ambitions to God, and to cultivate a spirit of contentment and trust, rather than allowing envy to fester. Ultimately, it reinforces the truth that our ultimate security and hope rest not in human strength or cunning, but in the unfailing providence of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Saul's escalating malice in this verse challenge your understanding of the destructive power of sin and unchecked negative emotions?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's unexpected protection or deliverance in your own life, similar to David's escapes?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Michal's morally complex actions regarding the choices we make when trying to protect loved ones or navigate difficult situations?**
* **How does this account encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem chaotic or threatening?**

### FAQ
**Why was Saul so intent on killing David, especially at this point?**

Answer: Saul's escalating intent to kill David stemmed primarily from intense jealousy and paranoia, exacerbated by an evil spirit that afflicted him (1 Samuel 16:14). David's military successes (1 Samuel 18:7), the people's adoration, and the divine favor clearly resting upon David (1 Samuel 18:12, 14) convinced Saul that David was destined to replace him. Saul had already made several attempts on David's life (1 Samuel 18:11; 1 Samuel 19:10). At this point in 1 Samuel 19:15, Saul's murderous resolve is at a peak because he perceives David as an immediate and existential threat to his throne and dynasty, and he is unwilling to tolerate any obstacle to his elimination. He is consumed by a desire to thwart God's plan and secure his own power, leading to irrational and desperate actions.

**What was the significance of Michal placing the *teraphim* in David's bed?**

Answer: Michal's use of the *teraphim* (household idols) was a clever, albeit morally ambiguous, deception to buy time for David's escape. By placing the *teraphim* in the bed and covering it with a goat's hair blanket, she created the illusion that David was still in bed, sick. Culturally, *teraphim* could vary in size and were sometimes associated with household inheritance or even divination. Their presence in Michal's home, despite Mosaic law prohibiting idolatry, reflects a complex religious reality in early Israel. The significance lies in its effectiveness as a ruse: it made the bed appear occupied by a human figure, leading Saul's initial messengers to believe David was genuinely ill and unable to come. This deception highlights Michal's quick thinking and her loyalty to David over her father.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The relentless persecution of David by King Saul, culminating in Saul's murderous command in 1 Samuel 19:15, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate persecution faced by the true King of Israel, Jesus Christ. Just as David was God's anointed, chosen to reign, so too was Jesus the Messiah, the ultimate Anointed One, who would face far greater hatred and attempts on His life from the powers of this world. Saul's irrational rage against David, who was innocent of any wrongdoing against the king, mirrors the unjust animosity directed at Jesus, who "committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22). While David experienced miraculous escapes through human intervention and divine providence, Jesus, in His ultimate act of love, willingly submitted to the cross, allowing Himself to be "slain" (John 1:29; Revelation 5:9) for the salvation of humanity. His death, however, was not a defeat but the ultimate victory, demonstrating God's sovereign plan to overcome evil and establish His eternal kingdom. Through Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, believers are granted a divine protection far greater than David's physical deliverances – protection from the power of sin and death, securing their eternal life and spiritual well-being (Romans 8:38-39). Thus, David's story of persecution and divine deliverance points forward to the greater story of Christ's suffering, triumph, and the secure hope He offers to all who believe in Him (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.