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 powerfully illustrates King Saul's escalating and murderous obsession with David, revealing his unyielding resolve to eliminate his perceived rival. Despite Michal's clever deception to feign David's illness, Saul's deep-seated paranoia and determination lead him to send messengers a second time, demanding David be brought to him, even if confined to his bed, so that Saul could personally ensure his death. This verse underscores the destructive nature of unchecked jealousy and the relentless, irrational pursuit of power, setting the stage for David's prolonged period as a fugitive.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the ongoing narrative of Saul's attempts to kill David, immediately following Michal's ingenious act of deception in [1 Samuel 19:11-14](/1_samuel/19-11-14 "1 Samuel 19:11-14 - Michal's Deception"). Having learned of her father's murderous intent, Michal helps David escape through a window. To buy time and mislead Saul's initial messengers, she places a household idol (*teraphim*) in David's bed, covering it with a goat's hair blanket, and claims David is too ill to move. When Saul's first group of messengers reports David's supposed sickness, Saul's suspicion is immediately aroused. Verse 15 marks his decisive, second command, demonstrating his refusal to be thwarted and his personal insistence on verifying David's presence, even if it meant dragging him from his supposed sickbed. This intensifies the high-stakes drama and highlights the desperate measures taken by both sides in this escalating conflict.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the early period of the Israelite monarchy, likely the late 11th century BCE. King Saul, once chosen by God, has become increasingly unstable, afflicted by an "evil spirit from the Lord" ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - Saul Afflicted by an Evil Spirit")). His animosity towards David is rooted in profound jealousy over David's military prowess, the people's adoration (as seen in [1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - Women Sing of David's Victories")), and the divine favor clearly resting upon David, who had been secretly anointed by Samuel ([1 Samuel 16:1-13](/1_samuel/16-1-13 "1 Samuel 16 - David Anointed King")). Saul views David as a direct threat to his dynasty, leading to repeated attempts on David's life. The king's command to "Bring him up to me in the bed" reflects the absolute authority of an ancient Near Eastern monarch, where royal decrees were to be obeyed without question, regardless of the subject's condition. The presence of *teraphim* in Michal's house, despite the Mosaic prohibition against idolatry, suggests a syncretistic religious practice common in the period, where traditional Israelite faith coexisted with remnants of pagan customs.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel. Firstly, **Saul's Degeneration and Moral Decay** is starkly evident. His unchecked jealousy and paranoia, fueled by a malevolent spirit, have transformed him from Israel's anointed king into a relentless, murderous persecutor. His demand to bring David "in the bed" reveals a chilling disregard for human life and dignity. Secondly, the theme of **Divine Protection and Providence** is central. Despite Saul's fervent and repeated attempts to kill David, God consistently intervenes to preserve His chosen one, often through unexpected means like Michal's quick thinking. David's life is miraculously preserved, underscoring God's faithfulness to His covenant and His sovereign hand in orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes, as echoed 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 highlights **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 innocent husband from her murderous father, presenting a morally ambiguous situation within the broader narrative of God's unfolding plan for David.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sent (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** H7971 (שָׁלַח) means "to send away, for, or out." While the KJV adds "[again]" for contextual clarity, the Hebrew verb itself simply denotes the act of dispatching. The repeated sending of messengers (implied by the narrative flow following the first dispatch in [1 Samuel 19:11](/1_samuel/19-11 "1 Samuel 19:11 - Saul Sends to Kill David")) underscores Saul's growing suspicion, impatience, and unyielding determination. It signifies his refusal to be thwarted by the initial report and his obsessive focus on confirming David's presence.
* **Bed (Hebrew, _miṭṭâh'_):** H4296 (מִטָּה) refers to a couch or bed, often used for sleeping or reclining. Saul's chillingly specific command to bring David "in the bed" is highly significant. It implies that even if David were genuinely sick or incapacitated, Saul wanted him brought in his state of maximal vulnerability. This command highlights the king's absolute authority and his desire to strip David of any dignity or potential for resistance, making his intended execution appear as a controlled, official act rather than a desperate pursuit.
* **Slay (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** H4191 (מוּת) is a primitive root meaning "to die" or, causatively, "to kill." This verb leaves no ambiguity about Saul's ultimate intention. It is a direct and forceful term for killing, often implying a violent or premeditated act. Saul's explicit declaration of his intent to "slay him" demonstrates the depth of his murderous rage and his complete disregard for David's life, despite David's previous loyalty, service, and anointing by God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul sent the messengers [again] to see David":** This clause immediately conveys Saul's deep suspicion and his refusal to accept the initial report from his first group of messengers that David was sick. His decision to send them "again" (implied by the context of [1 Samuel 19:14](/1_samuel/19-14 "1 Samuel 19:14 - Michal's Deception")) highlights his relentless pursuit and his determination to personally verify David's presence. It underscores his obsessive focus on eliminating 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 and reveals the extent of Saul's malice. He demands that David be brought to him, even if he is in a state of weakness or illness, confined to his bed. This demonstrates Saul's absolute authority as king and his desire to humiliate David, bringing him forth in a state of utter vulnerability, making escape or resistance impossible. It underscores the depth 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 without any pretense of justice or due process. There is no mention of a trial or judgment; Saul's sole purpose is to kill David immediately and decisively. 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 and irrational persecutor.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact. **Dramatic Irony** is strongly present, as the reader knows David is not in the bed, but Saul, consumed by his obsessive rage, believes he is. This creates intense tension and highlights Saul's delusion and the futility of his efforts against God's chosen one. **Foreshadowing** is also evident; Saul's escalating attempts to kill David in this scene foreshadow the prolonged period of persecution David will endure, forcing him to live as a fugitive. This relentless pursuit will profoundly shape David's character, his dependence on God, and his future leadership. The scene also utilizes **Symbolism**: the "bed" here symbolizes vulnerability, helplessness, and even death, 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—masterfully builds **Suspense**, keeping the reader on edge about David's fate and the unfolding divine plan.

### 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 throughout history. Yet, God's providential hand is strikingly 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 and persistent, 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, paranoia, and a refusal to submit to God's will, which can lead even a king to irrational and murderous behavior, demonstrating the tragic consequences of spiritual rebellion.

* [Psalm 18:1-3](/psalms/18-1-3 "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 and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that even when facing seemingly insurmountable opposition, relentless adversaries, or life-threatening circumstances, God's protective hand is sovereign and actively at work. Just as David experienced repeated deliverances, often through surprising and unconventional means, we are called to cultivate a deep 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 tragic descent into madness and murderous intent illustrates how these sins can utterly consume an individual, leading to irrational, self-destructive, and deeply harmful behavior. It challenges us to examine our own hearts, to surrender our desires and ambitions to God's perfect will, and to cultivate a spirit of contentment and trust in His provision, rather than allowing envy or bitterness to fester and corrupt our souls. Ultimately, this account reinforces the foundational truth that our ultimate security and hope rest not in human strength, cunning, or control, but in the unfailing providence and sovereign care 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 a leader's life?**
* **In what ways have you personally experienced God's unexpected protection or deliverance in your own life, similar to David's narrow escapes?**
* **What ethical lessons can we draw from Michal's morally complex actions regarding the choices we make when trying to protect loved ones or navigate extremely difficult situations?**
* **How does this account encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty and His unfailing plan, even when circumstances seem chaotic, threatening, or beyond your control?**

### 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, profound paranoia, and the oppressive influence of an evil spirit that afflicted him ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - Saul Afflicted by an Evil Spirit")). David's extraordinary military successes ([1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - Women Sing of David's Victories")), the widespread adoration of the people, and the undeniable divine favor clearly resting upon David ([1 Samuel 18:12, 14](/1_samuel/18-12-14 "1 Samuel 18:12-14 - Saul Fears David")) convinced Saul that David was destined to replace him as king. Saul had already made several direct attempts on David's life with a javelin ([1 Samuel 18:11](/1_samuel/18-11 "1 Samuel 18:11 - Saul Tries to Pin David to the Wall"); [1 Samuel 19:10](/1_samuel/19-10 "1 Samuel 19:10 - Saul Again Tries to Pin David to the Wall")). At this point in [1 Samuel 19:15](/1_samuel/19-15 "1 Samuel 19:15 - Saul's Relentless Pursuit of David"), 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 desperate desire to thwart God's perceived plan and secure his own power, leading to increasingly 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 or images) was a clever, albeit morally ambiguous, deception designed to buy crucial time for David's escape. By placing the *teraphim* in the bed and covering it with a goat's hair blanket, she skillfully created the illusion that David was still in bed, genuinely sick and unable to move. Culturally, *teraphim* could vary significantly in size, ranging from small figurines to life-sized effigies, and were sometimes associated with household inheritance rights or even divination. Their presence in Michal's home, despite the Mosaic law prohibiting idolatry ([Exodus 20:4](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - No Idols")), reflects a complex religious reality in early Israel, where traditional Israelite faith sometimes coexisted with remnants of pagan customs. The primary significance of this act lies in its immediate 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 thus preventing them from immediately seizing him. This deception highlights Michal's quick thinking, her resourcefulness, and her loyalty to David, her husband, over her murderous father.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The relentless persecution of David by King Saul, culminating in Saul's murderous command in [1 Samuel 19:15](/1_samuel/19-15 "1 Samuel 19:15 - Saul's Relentless Pursuit of David"), powerfully foreshadows the ultimate persecution faced by the true and eternal King of Israel, Jesus Christ. Just as David was God's anointed, chosen to reign despite Saul's opposition, 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](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinlessness")). While David experienced miraculous escapes through human intervention and divine providence, Jesus, in His ultimate act of sacrificial love, willingly submitted to the cross, allowing Himself to be "slain" as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb Who Was Slain")) for the salvation of humanity. His death, however, was not a defeat but the ultimate victory over sin and death, 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, spiritual death, and eternal condemnation, securing their eternal life and spiritual well-being ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love")). 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](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")).

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.

Cross-References

Romans 3:15

Their feet [are] swift to shed blood:

1 Samuel 19:6

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, [As] the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

Job 31:31

If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

Psalms 37:12

The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

Proverbs 27:3

¶ A stone [is] heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath [is] heavier than them both.

Proverbs 27:4

Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous; but who [is] able to stand before envy?