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;

Then Saul {H7586} said {H559} unto his servants {H5650} that stood {H5324} about him, Hear now {H8085}, ye Benjamites {H1145}; will the son {H1121} of Jesse {H3448} give {H5414} every one of you fields {H7704} and vineyards {H3754}, and make {H7760} you all captains {H8269} of thousands {H505}, and captains {H8269} of hundreds {H3967};

Sha'ul said to his servants standing around him, "Listen, you men of Binyamin! Is Yishai's son going to give any of you fields and vineyards? Is he going to make you all commanders of thousands and hundreds?

Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?

And 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, will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds,

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 22:7

This verse finds King Saul in a state of extreme paranoia and desperation. Having been rejected by God (1 Samuel 15:23) and increasingly tormented by an evil spirit, Saul perceives David, whom God had chosen (1 Samuel 16:13), as a direct threat to his throne. David has fled from Saul's relentless pursuit and is gathering a company of followers (1 Samuel 22:2). Saul, sitting under a tree in Gibeah, is addressing his loyal attendants, many of whom were from his own tribe, Benjamin. He is convinced that a conspiracy is brewing against him, orchestrated by David and even involving his own household and servants.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Saul's Paranoia and Insecurity: The verse vividly portrays Saul's deep-seated fear and suspicion. He imagines a widespread conspiracy against him, seeing enemies in everyone around him, even his most trusted Benjamite servants. This insecurity is a hallmark of his declining reign.
  • Jealousy and Resentment: Saul's bitterness towards David, whom he refers to dismissively as "the son of Jesse," is palpable. He resents David's growing popularity and divine favor, viewing David's rise as a direct challenge to his authority. This jealousy had consumed him since David's victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 18:8).
  • Manipulation and False Accusations: Saul attempts to manipulate his servants by appealing to their self-interest and tribal loyalty. He implies that David is offering greater material rewards (fields, vineyards) and positions of power (captains of thousands and hundreds) to win their allegiance, suggesting David is a usurper who will not favor them as a fellow Benjamite. This is a tactic to discredit David and solidify his own precarious hold on power.
  • The Nature of Loyalty: Saul questions the loyalty of his own people, accusing them of conspiring with David. This highlights the deteriorating trust within his kingdom and the shift from genuine allegiance to one based on perceived personal gain.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "son of Jesse" is noteworthy. While simply referring to David's father, Jesse, in Saul's mouth it becomes a derogatory, dismissive term. It underscores Saul's refusal to acknowledge David's anointing or his legitimate place as God's chosen successor. It's a way of saying, "this mere commoner from Bethlehem, not a prince or a man of stature."

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the destructive nature of unchecked paranoia, jealousy, and insecurity in leadership. Saul's descent illustrates how fear can distort perception, leading to false accusations and the erosion of trust. For believers today, it reminds us:

  • To guard our hearts against envy and suspicion, which can poison relationships and lead to destructive actions.
  • That true leadership is built on trust, integrity, and serving others, not on manipulating people through fear or material promises.
  • To be discerning about accusations and to seek truth, rather than giving in to baseless fears or conspiracy theories.
  • The importance of seeking God's will and guidance, as Saul's downfall stemmed from his rebellion against God's commands.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 8:14 (3 votes)

    And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, [even] the best [of them], and give [them] to his servants.

  • 1 Samuel 8:15 (3 votes)

    And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

  • 1 Kings 12:16 (3 votes)

    ¶ So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither [have we] inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.

  • Isaiah 11:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

  • 1 Samuel 20:27 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass on the morrow, [which was] the second [day] of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

  • Isaiah 11:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

  • 1 Samuel 8:11 (2 votes)

    And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint [them] for himself, for his chariots, and [to be] his horsemen; and [some] shall run before his chariots.