1 Samuel 23:21

KJV

And Saul said, Blessed [be] ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul {H7586} said {H559}, Blessed {H1288} be ye of the LORD {H3068}; for ye have compassion {H2550} on me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul said, "May ADONAI bless you for showing me compassion

Berean Standard Bible

“May you be blessed by the LORD,” replied Saul, “for you have had compassion on me.

American Standard Version

And Saul said, Blessed be ye of Jehovah; for ye have had compassion on me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 23:21 captures King Saul's self-serving and spiritually distorted reaction to the Ziphites' betrayal of David. Consumed by paranoia and a relentless pursuit of David, Saul expresses profound gratitude to the Ziphites, declaring them "blessed by the LORD" for what he perceives as "compassion" shown to him. This verse starkly reveals Saul's moral blindness and the extent of his spiritual decline, as he invokes a divine blessing upon an act of treachery against God's anointed, highlighting his inverted understanding of justice, loyalty, and divine favor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a dramatic and dangerous period in David's life, as chronicled in 1 Samuel 23. David, though divinely anointed as the future king of Israel, is a hunted fugitive, constantly evading King Saul's murderous intent. Prior to this verse, David has just delivered Keilah from the Philistines, yet he is forced to flee again when he learns Saul plans to besiege the city. He then seeks refuge in the wilderness of Ziph, a desolate and rugged region. The Ziphites, inhabitants of this area, demonstrate their loyalty to the reigning king, Saul, by actively seeking to betray David's hiding place. They approach Saul, offering to deliver David into his hands, an act that deeply pleases the king and sets the immediate stage for Saul's pronouncement in this very verse. This betrayal is particularly poignant as it recurs later in [the narrative of 1 Samuel 26](/1_samuel/26-1 "1 Samuel 26:1 - The Ziphites' Second Betrayal of David"), underscoring the persistent danger David faced from those who would curry favor with Saul.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Saul's reign was marked by a turbulent transition in Israel's leadership from judges to kingship. Saul, initially chosen by God, had been rejected due to his disobedience, and David was secretly anointed by Samuel, as detailed in [1 Samuel 16:1-13](/1_samuel/16-1-13 "1 Samuel 16:1-13 - Samuel Anoints David"). This created immense tension, as the reigning king sought to eliminate his divinely appointed successor. Loyalty in ancient Israelite society was complex, often shifting between tribal allegiances, the reigning monarch, and perceived divine will. The Ziphites, by informing Saul, were likely attempting to curry favor with the powerful king, demonstrating loyalty to the established authority rather than to David, who was a fugitive. Their actions reflect a pragmatic choice in a politically volatile environment, prioritizing their own safety and standing with Saul over any moral obligation to David, who was innocent of any crime against the kingdom.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel. Firstly, it highlights **Saul's Spiritual and Moral Decline**, showcasing his profound self-deception and twisted perception of reality. He views an act of betrayal against an innocent man as "compassion" shown to himself, demonstrating his inability to discern God's will or righteous judgment. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Misplaced Loyalty and Betrayal**, as the Ziphites prioritize allegiance to a corrupt king over justice and the well-being of God's anointed. This contrasts sharply with the unwavering loyalty shown by figures like Jonathan to David throughout [1 Samuel 20](/1_samuel/20 "1 Samuel 20 - Jonathan's Covenant with David"). Finally, despite the immediate danger and betrayal, the broader narrative, including [David's subsequent narrow escape](/1_samuel/23-26 "1 Samuel 23:26 - David's Narrow Escape from Saul"), reinforces the theme of **Divine Providence and Protection** over David, even amidst intense peril. God's faithfulness to His promises remains steadfast, even when human actors fail or actively oppose His plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blessed (Hebrew, _bârak_):** This word, derived from the root H1288, typically denotes a state of divine favor, prosperity, or well-being bestowed by God. It can mean "to kneel" in adoration, or to "bless" another (as a benefit), or even euphemistically "to curse." Saul's declaration, "Blessed [be] ye of the LORD," is a formal invocation of divine favor. However, in this context, it is deeply ironic and perverse. Saul, the rejected king, invokes the name of Yahweh to sanction an act of treachery and injustice against David, God's chosen one. This reveals the extent of Saul's spiritual blindness and his profound disconnect from God's character, as God would never bless those who facilitate unrighteousness. It underscores how far Saul has fallen from the king God originally intended him to be.

* **Compassion (Hebrew, _châmal_):** This verb (H2550) means "to commiserate," "to pity," "to spare," or "to show mercy." It often implies a reluctance to harm or punish, or an act of kindness towards someone in distress. Saul's assertion that the Ziphites "have compassion on me" is a gross distortion of the word's true meaning. The Ziphites were not showing mercy or kindness; they were actively aiding Saul in his unjust persecution of David, thereby causing more suffering to an innocent man. Saul's self-pity and paranoid fixation on David lead him to interpret their betrayal as an act of personal kindness, highlighting his inverted moral compass and his inability to perceive the true nature of their actions or his own.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul said,"**: This opening clause immediately sets the stage, drawing attention to the king's direct response. It emphasizes Saul's personal involvement and approval of the Ziphites' actions, signaling that what follows is his official and deeply felt reaction, revealing his inner state.
* **"Blessed [be] ye of the LORD;"**: This is a formal declaration of blessing, invoking the name of Yahweh (H3068). In ancient Israel, such a blessing was a weighty pronouncement, signifying divine approval and favor. The profound irony here is that Saul, the rejected king, pronounces a divine blessing upon those who are aiding him in his unrighteous pursuit of God's chosen successor. This highlights Saul's spiritual delusion, as he believes God would endorse his sin and his personal vendetta.
* **"for ye have compassion on me."**: This clause provides Saul's rationale for his blessing. He perceives the Ziphites' act of informing on David as an act of "compassion" or pity directed towards himself. This reveals Saul's deep self-pity, his distorted perception of justice, and his complete moral inversion. He sees himself as the victim, and anyone who helps him against David is seen as a benefactor, regardless of the ethical implications of their actions.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs significant **Irony**, particularly in Saul's use of the words "blessed" and "compassion." Saul, the king rejected by God, invokes a divine blessing upon those who are facilitating his unrighteous pursuit of God's anointed. This is deeply ironic, as a true blessing from the LORD would never endorse such an act. Furthermore, his claim that the Ziphites showed him "compassion" is an example of **Situational Irony** and **Dramatic Irony**. The Ziphites' actions were a betrayal of an innocent man, David, and were motivated by self-interest or fear of Saul, not genuine compassion. The audience, knowing David's innocence and God's favor upon him, understands the perversity of Saul's statement, creating a sense of tragic irony. The passage also uses **Foreshadowing** by subtly hinting at Saul's continued moral decay and the ultimate futility of his efforts against David, whose divine protection is repeatedly demonstrated throughout the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 23:21 serves as a stark theological commentary on the dangers of spiritual blindness and self-deception, particularly when coupled with unchecked power. Saul's inability to recognize the injustice of his actions, and his warped perception of "compassion," illustrates how sin can corrupt one's moral compass, leading to an inversion of truth and righteousness. The verse underscores the biblical principle that true blessing comes from aligning with God's will and justice, not from selfish ambition or the persecution of the innocent. It also highlights the theme of divine sovereignty, demonstrating that even amidst human treachery and powerful opposition, God's purposes for His chosen ones will ultimately prevail.

* [Proverbs 17:15](/proverbs/17-15 "Proverbs 17:15 - Condemning the Righteous and Justifying the Wicked")
* [Isaiah 5:20](/isaiah/5-20 "Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to Those Who Call Evil Good")
* [Psalm 7:11](/psalm/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Saul's profound self-deception in 1 Samuel 23:21 offers a sobering mirror for contemporary believers. It challenges us to critically examine our own motives and perceptions, especially when we feel wronged or are pursuing a personal agenda. Are we, like Saul, prone to twisting reality to justify our actions or to see ourselves as victims, even when we are the aggressors? True spiritual health requires constant self-assessment against the unwavering standard of God's Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal our blind spots and convict us of sin. Furthermore, this verse calls us to discern true compassion, which always aligns with God's justice and mercy, seeking to alleviate suffering and promote righteousness, rather than enabling injustice or harming the innocent. In a world where "compassion" can be co-opted for various agendas, we are called to embody the self-sacrificial, truth-affirming compassion of Christ, trusting that God's sovereign protection extends to those who walk in His ways, even when surrounded by opposition and betrayal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prone to self-deception, similar to Saul's distorted view of reality?**
* **How can I ensure my understanding of "compassion" aligns with biblical truth rather than personal biases or cultural norms?**
* **When facing betrayal or opposition, how does David's reliance on God's protection encourage my trust in divine providence?**
* **What does Saul's misplaced blessing teach me about the importance of discerning true spiritual authority and righteous judgment?**

### FAQ

**Why was Saul so intent on hunting David, and what does this verse reveal about his state of mind?**

Answer: Saul was consumed by jealousy and paranoia, stemming from God's rejection of him as king and the anointing of David as his successor, as detailed in [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Rejection by God") and [1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - David Anointed King"). He saw David as an immediate threat to his throne and sought to eliminate him. [1 Samuel 23:21](/1_samuel/23-21 "1 Samuel 23:21 - Saul's Reaction to the Ziphites' Betrayal") reveals the depth of his spiritual and psychological deterioration. His declaration that the Ziphites showed him "compassion" for betraying David highlights his profound self-pity and twisted perception of reality. He views himself as the wronged party, incapable of seeing his own sin or the innocence of David. This indicates a severe moral blindness and a desperate clinging to power, even at the cost of justice and divine favor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The perversion of blessing and compassion witnessed in 1 Samuel 23:21 finds its ultimate contrast and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Saul, the rejected king, pronounces a false blessing on those who betray God's anointed, driven by his own self-preservation and twisted sense of justice. This foreshadows the ultimate betrayal of the true Anointed One, Jesus, by those who claimed to be God's people. Just as the Ziphites betrayed David, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver ([Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14-16 "Matthew 26:14-16 - Judas Betrays Jesus")), and the religious leaders, blinded by their own power and self-righteousness, sought His death, believing they were doing God's will ([John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - Persecution for Christ's Sake")). Yet, unlike Saul's self-serving "compassion," Christ embodies perfect compassion, not for Himself, but for humanity, willingly laying down His life for His enemies ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). The true blessing of the LORD is not found in aiding unjust pursuits, but in the redemptive work of Christ, who, through His sacrifice, became the source of eternal blessing for all who believe ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed in Christ")). He is the one who truly receives "blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" from all creation ([Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - Worthy is the Lamb")). In Christ, we see the perfect King, whose reign is established not by human treachery or self-preservation, but by divine love, justice, and the ultimate act of self-giving compassion.

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

1 Samuel 22:8

That all of you have conspired against me, and [there is] none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and [there is] none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

Psalms 10:3

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, [whom] the LORD abhorreth.

Isaiah 66:5

¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Judges 17:2

And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred [shekels] of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver [is] with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed [be thou] of the LORD, my son.

Micah 3:11

The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.