1 Samuel 19:16

And when the messengers were come in, behold, [there was] an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' [hair] for his bolster.

And when the messengers {H4397} were come in {H935}, behold, there was an image {H8655} in the bed {H4296}, with a pillow {H3523} of goats {H5795}' hair for his bolster {H4763}.

But when the messengers entered, there before them was the household idol in the bed, with the goat's-hair quilt at its head.

And when the messengers entered, there was the idol in the bed with the quilt of goatsโ€™ hair on its head.

And when the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goatsโ€™ hair at the head thereof.

Commentary

1 Samuel 19:16 describes a pivotal moment in the narrative of David's escape from King Saul's murderous intent. This verse details the ingenious deception employed by Michal, David's wife and Saul's daughter, to buy her husband time to flee.

Context

King Saul, consumed by jealousy and an evil spirit, repeatedly sought to kill David, his son-in-law, who had become immensely popular after his victory over Goliath. In 1 Samuel 19:11, Saul sent messengers to David's house to seize him. Michal, aware of her father's murderous plot, had already helped David escape through a window. To mislead Saul's men and ensure David's safe passage, she devised a clever ruse, which this verse reveals.

Key Themes

  • Michal's Resourcefulness and Loyalty: This act demonstrates Michal's quick thinking and deep loyalty to David, prioritizing his safety over her father's command. Her actions directly saved David's life, showing her dedication despite her father's wrath.
  • Deception as a Means of Protection: The verse highlights the use of cunning and deception in a life-threatening situation. While the Bible doesn't explicitly endorse the deception, it portrays it as an effective means of protecting David, God's anointed, from immediate danger.
  • The Presence of Household Idols (`teraphim`): The mention of an "image" in the bed is significant. This raises questions about the spiritual state of Saul's household, even among those close to David, hinting at potential syncretistic practices.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "image" in the KJV is the Hebrew term teraphim (ืชึฐึผืจึธืคึดื™ื). These were often household idols or cultic objects, sometimes associated with divination or used as symbols of family inheritance. Their exact nature and function varied, but their presence in a seemingly God-fearing household like Saul's (or Michal's) is notable. While some scholars suggest they might have been mere human-shaped figures used as decoys, their association with Rachel stealing her father's teraphim in Genesis indicates a deeper, potentially idolatrous, significance. The "pillow of goats' [hair]" served as a clever prop, mimicking human hair and providing a realistic illusion of a sick person in the bed, especially in the dim lighting of the time, allowing David's escape to proceed undetected for a crucial period.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 19:16 reminds us that even in dire circumstances, people employ various strategies for survival and protection. It underscores the intense conflict David faced from Saul and how God often uses unexpected means, including the brave and resourceful actions of individuals like Michal, to preserve His chosen servants. For believers today, while outright deception is generally not condoned, the story highlights the importance of wisdom and quick thinking in navigating difficult situations, always trusting in God's ultimate sovereignty to protect and guide His purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

No cross-references found.

โ† Back