1 Samuel 22:12

KJV

And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I [am], my lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul {H7586} said {H559}, Hear {H8085} now, thou son {H1121} of Ahitub {H285}. And he answered {H559}, Here I am, my lord {H113}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul said, "Listen here, you son of Achituv!" He answered, "Here I am, my lord."

Berean Standard Bible

“Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied.

American Standard Version

And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 22:12 captures a chilling and pivotal moment where King Saul, consumed by escalating paranoia and rage, directly confronts Ahimelech, the high priest, at Gibeah. This verse records Saul's accusatory summons, addressing Ahimelech formally as "thou son of Ahitub," and the priest's immediate, deferential reply, "Here I [am], my lord." This brief exchange sets the stage for a tragic confrontation, underscoring the perilous position of those caught in the crosshairs of unchecked royal wrath and the devastating consequences of false accusation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical turning point within the broader narrative of Saul's tragic decline and David's providential ascent. It immediately follows David's desperate flight from Saul, during which he sought refuge and provisions at the sanctuary in Nob. There, Ahimelech, the high priest, unknowingly provided David with consecrated bread and Goliath's sword, believing David was on a secret royal mission for Saul ([1 Samuel 21:1-9](/1_samuel/21-1-9 "David at Nob and His Encounter with Ahimelech")). This seemingly innocuous act was witnessed by Doeg the Edomite, Saul's chief herdsman, who then reported it to the king. Enraged and convinced of a widespread conspiracy against his throne, Saul summons Ahimelech and the entire priestly house of Nob to Gibeah, his capital, to face his accusations. Verse 12 marks the dramatic beginning of this direct interrogation, vividly highlighting the immediate tension and the immense power imbalance between the king and the high priest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the nascent monarchy in Israel, a period of significant transition from a loose tribal confederacy to a centralized kingdom. Saul, as Israel's first king, wielded immense, though often unstable, power, frequently acting on impulse rather than divine counsel. The high priest, represented by Ahimelech, held a position of profound spiritual authority, responsible for the tabernacle, sacred rituals, and consulting God through the Urim and Thummim. Nob was a recognized city of priests, serving as a vital religious center. The custom of addressing someone by their patronymic, "son of Ahitub," was a common, formal, and respectful way to identify and summon an individual, particularly in official or legal contexts. Ahimelech's immediate and deferential response, "Here I [am], my lord," reflects the expected protocol when a subject, even a high-ranking priest, was summoned by the king, signifying readiness to hear and obey royal decree.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel"). It vividly illustrates **Saul's escalating paranoia and the abuse of royal authority**, demonstrating how his deep-seated insecurity transforms into tyrannical behavior. His actions here show a king who perceives loyalty as treason and innocent acts as conspiracy, leading to devastating injustice. The exchange also highlights **Ahimelech's vulnerability and the precarious position of those serving God under a corrupt human authority**. His immediate submission, though respectful and innocent, ultimately places him in mortal danger. Furthermore, the scene underscores the **tragic consequences of false accusation and unchecked rage**, setting the stage for the horrific slaughter of the priests of Nob, a stark example of the devastating effects of sin and unrighteous leadership, a theme powerfully echoed in the later judgment upon Saul's house and the subsequent events of [1 Samuel 22:18-19](/1_samuel/22-18-19 "The Slaughter of the Priests of Nob").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This imperative verb, often translated as "listen" or "pay attention," is not merely a polite request but a commanding summons. In the context of a king addressing a subject, especially one suspected of wrongdoing, it carries an authoritative and often ominous tone, demanding immediate and undivided attention to the accusation that is about to follow. It signals the gravity of the moment and the king's expectation of a direct and truthful response, leaving no room for equivocation.
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** This common Hebrew noun, meaning "son" or "child," is used here in a formal patronymic construction, "son of Ahitub." While a standard way to identify someone by their lineage, in Saul's mouth, it might also serve to underscore the perceived betrayal of Ahimelech's priestly office. It emphasizes his familial and official role, perhaps subtly stripping him of his personal name and reducing him to his position before the king's judgment, implying that as a descendant of a prominent priestly line, he should have known better than to "aid" Saul's enemy.
* **my lord (Hebrew, _ʼâdôwn'_):** This term signifies "sovereign," "master," or "owner," and is used to denote a superior, whether human or divine. Ahimelech's use of "my lord" in addressing Saul is a profound act of deference and submission, acknowledging the king's supreme authority. It reflects the expected protocol for a subject, even a high priest, when summoned by the monarch. This respectful address, however, tragically contrasts with Saul's unrighteous accusations, highlighting Ahimelech's innocence and his unsuspecting loyalty to a king who has lost his moral compass.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub."**: This opening clause immediately establishes the power dynamic and the confrontational nature of the scene. Saul, as the reigning king, initiates the dialogue with a direct, authoritative, and implicitly accusatory command. His use of the formal address "thou son of Ahitub" highlights Ahimelech's priestly lineage, but in this context, it carries a tone of stern summons and impending judgment. The phrase "Hear now" sets a tone of urgency and demands immediate, undivided attention, signaling that a serious matter, likely an accusation of treason, is about to be laid before the priest.
* **"And he answered, Here I [am], my lord."**: Ahimelech's response is swift, submissive, and deeply respectful. His use of the Hebrew _hinnēnî_ (rendered "Here I [am]") conveys his ready availability, attentive presence, and willingness to respond to the king's summons, a posture of obedience to authority. The addition of "my lord" further emphasizes his profound deference to Saul's royal position, despite the palpable tension and the implicit danger of the situation. This immediate and deferential reply underscores Ahimelech's innocence and his complete unawareness of the depth of Saul's paranoia and the false accusations he is about to face.

#### Literary Devices
The brevity of 1 Samuel 22:12 belies its rich use of literary devices, which amplify its dramatic impact. The most prominent is **Dialogue**, presenting a direct exchange that immediately establishes the power dynamic and the impending conflict. There is significant **Dramatic Irony**, as Ahimelech's respectful and submissive "Here I [am], my lord" is uttered by a man who is entirely innocent of any conspiracy, yet stands accused by a king consumed by paranoid delusion. The audience, fully aware of David's true circumstances and Ahimelech's unwitting aid, understands the tragic misunderstanding that Saul, in his rage, refuses to acknowledge. This exchange also serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**, as Ahimelech's immediate and obedient response, intended to show loyalty, ironically seals his fate and that of the priests of Nob, leading to their brutal slaughter later in the chapter. Finally, the **Juxtaposition** of Saul's harsh, commanding tone with Ahimelech's humble and deferential reply highlights the stark contrast between the king's unrighteous wrath and the priest's unsuspecting integrity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This brief exchange powerfully encapsulates themes of divine sovereignty versus human will, the dangers of unchecked power, and the tragic consequences of false accusation. Saul's tyrannical behavior here is a stark contrast to the righteous leadership God desires, demonstrating how a heart alienated from God can lead to paranoia, injustice, and the shedding of innocent blood. Ahimelech's innocent suffering raises profound questions about the nature of loyalty, the cost of integrity, and the vulnerability of the righteous in a fallen world. The scene serves as a somber reminder that even those who serve God faithfully can become victims of human sin and political machinations, forcing us to consider where our ultimate allegiance lies and how we navigate commands from human authorities that conflict with truth or justice.

* [1 Samuel 8:11-18](/1_samuel/8-11-18 "Samuel's Warning About the Nature of Kingship")
* [Psalm 35:11](/psalms/35-11 "False Witnesses Rise Up")
* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Obeying God Rather Than Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 22:12, though concise, is a profound moment that invites deep reflection on leadership, authority, and personal integrity. It serves as a chilling reminder of how unchecked power, fueled by paranoia and insecurity, can lead to devastating injustice. Saul's descent into tyranny, vividly displayed in this confrontation, illustrates the spiritual and moral decay that occurs when a leader prioritizes personal ambition and fear over righteousness and truth. For us today, this passage challenges us to critically evaluate those in authority over us, discerning whether their commands align with justice and truth. It also prompts us to consider our own responses when caught in difficult situations where loyalty to human institutions might conflict with a higher moral or divine calling. Ahimelech's tragic fate, despite his innocence and deference, underscores the reality that faithfulness does not always guarantee safety or worldly protection in a fallen world, but it does preserve integrity before God. We are called to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, navigating complex situations with both discernment and unwavering commitment to what is right, even when it comes at a personal cost.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Saul's behavior in this verse serve as a warning against the dangers of unchecked power and paranoia in leadership today?**
* **In what ways might we, like Ahimelech, find ourselves unknowingly caught in conflicts that demand our loyalty or integrity, and how should we respond?**
* **What principles can we draw from this narrative about discerning when to obey human authority and when to prioritize a higher moral or divine calling?**

### FAQ
**What was Ahimelech's relationship to David, and why was Saul so angry with him?**

Answer: Ahimelech was the high priest at Nob, a city of priests. David, fleeing from Saul's relentless pursuit, came to Nob and requested provisions from Ahimelech. Unaware of the true nature of David's flight and believing David was on a secret mission for Saul, Ahimelech provided him with consecrated bread (the showbread, normally reserved for priests) and Goliath's sword ([1 Samuel 21:1-9](/1_samuel/21-1-9 "David's Visit to Nob")). Saul's intense anger stemmed from his deep-seated paranoia and his conviction that David was conspiring to overthrow him. When Doeg the Edomite reported Ahimelech's assistance to David, Saul interpreted it as an act of treason and conspiracy, accusing Ahimelech of actively aiding his perceived enemy.

**What happened to Ahimelech and the priests of Nob after this confrontation?**

Answer: Following this confrontation, Saul, in an uncontrolled fit of rage and tyrannical abuse of power, commanded his guards to kill Ahimelech and all the priests of Nob. When his own servants refused to lay hands on the Lord's priests, Saul ordered Doeg the Edomite to carry out the horrific deed. Doeg then slaughtered eighty-five priests who wore the linen ephod, and he also put the entire city of Nob, including its men, women, children, and livestock, to the sword ([1 Samuel 22:18-19](/1_samuel/22-18-19 "The Slaughter of the Priests of Nob")). Only Abiathar, one of Ahimelech's sons, managed to escape the massacre and fled to David, bringing news of the tragedy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic confrontation between Saul and Ahimelech, marked by false accusation and the innocent suffering of the high priest, serves as a poignant foreshadowing of the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ. Ahimelech, though innocent of any wrongdoing against Saul, was unjustly condemned and executed by a paranoid king, becoming a victim of human injustice and sin. This mirrors the unjust condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus, the true and perfect High Priest, who was innocent of all charges yet suffered at the hands of earthly authorities ([Matthew 27:11-26](/matthew/27-11-26 "Jesus Before Pilate")). Unlike Ahimelech, whose priestly lineage was earthly and whose life was taken, Christ's priesthood is eternal and unassailable, established by an oath from God Himself, making Him a superior and lasting mediator ([Hebrews 7:23-28](/hebrews/7-23-28 "Jesus, a Superior Priest")). He willingly offered Himself as the spotless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), not as an unwitting victim, but as a sovereign and redemptive sacrifice for humanity. Saul's tyrannical abuse of power stands in stark contrast to Christ's humble, servant leadership, who came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Thus, Ahimelech's plight, while tragic, points forward to the greater suffering and ultimate triumph of Christ, who, through His sacrifice and resurrection, became our compassionate and faithful High Priest, able to sympathize with our weaknesses and intercede for us before God ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Jesus Our Great High Priest")).

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

Isaiah 65:1

¶ I am sought of [them that] asked not [for me]; I am found of [them that] sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation [that] was not called by my name.

1 Samuel 22:7

Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, [and] make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

2 Samuel 9:6

Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!

1 Samuel 22:13

And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?