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1 Samuel 22:8

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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?

That all of you have conspired {H7194} against me, and there is none that sheweth {H1540}{H241} me that my son {H1121} hath made a league {H3772} with the son {H1121} of Jesse {H3448}, and there is none of you that is sorry {H2470} for me, or sheweth {H1540}{H241} unto me that my son {H1121} hath stirred up {H6965} my servant {H5650} against me, to lie in wait {H693}, as at this day {H3117}?

Is this why you have all conspired against me, why none of you told me when my son went in league with Yishai's son? None of you is concerned about me! Otherwise you would have told me that my son had incited my servant to become my enemy, as he is now."

Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.”

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

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 22:8

This verse captures King Saul's deepening paranoia and mental distress. Having been rejected by God and tormented by an evil spirit, Saul is now consumed by suspicion. He has taken refuge in Gibeah, sitting under a tree, and is addressing his servants, accusing them of disloyalty and conspiracy. At this point, David, "the son of Jesse," has fled from Saul's presence and is gathering a company of distressed men around him. Saul believes his own son, Jonathan, has betrayed him by forming a strong "league" or covenant of friendship with David, whom Saul now perceives as his greatest threat and a direct challenge to his throne. Saul's lament reveals his isolation and belief that no one among his loyalists is sympathetic to his plight or willing to warn him of what he sees as a plot against him.

Key Themes

  • Saul's Paranoia and Insecurity: The verse vividly portrays Saul's psychological state, marked by profound distrust and a sense of betrayal. He imagines a widespread conspiracy against him, even among his own household and closest servants. This reflects the tragic decline of a king who lost divine favor and succumbed to his inner turmoil.
  • The Unbreakable Bond of Jonathan and David: Saul's anger stems from the covenant of friendship between Jonathan and David, which he interprets as a political alliance aimed at his downfall. This highlights the purity and strength of their bond, which transcended political ambitions and family loyalties.
  • Perception of Betrayal: From Saul's distorted viewpoint, his son Jonathan is a traitor, and David, once his loyal servant and mighty warrior, is now an enemy stirring up rebellion. He feels utterly alone, believing no one "sheweth me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me."
  • The Divine Hand in David's Rise: Unbeknownst to Saul, David's ascent was ordained by God, not a result of human conspiracy. Saul's desperate attempts to thwart David were ultimately futile, as God was preparing David to be the next king of Israel (see 1 Samuel 16:13).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "conspired" is qashar (קָשַׁר), which means "to bind together," often in the sense of a secret plot or conspiracy. Saul's use of this term emphasizes his belief in a hidden, malicious agreement against him. The word "league" is berith (בְּרִית), a significant term denoting a solemn covenant or treaty, underscoring the deep commitment between Jonathan and David, which Saul viewed as a direct threat to his authority.

Significance and Application

1 Samuel 22:8 serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive power of unchecked jealousy, fear, and paranoia. Saul's inability to accept God's will and his fixation on maintaining his earthly power led him down a path of increasing delusion and cruelty. This verse illustrates:

  • The Dangers of Distorted Perception: Saul's mind was so clouded by suspicion that he could not see the truth of Jonathan's pure motives or David's true character. Fear often distorts reality, leading to irrational decisions and isolation.
  • The Importance of Trust: A lack of trust, especially in leadership, can erode loyalty and create a toxic environment. Saul's accusations alienate those who might have genuinely supported him.
  • God's Unchanging Plan: Despite Saul's furious opposition, God's plan for David's future kingship continued to unfold. This provides comfort that even in the face of human animosity and conspiracy, God's purposes will prevail (Proverbs 19:21).

For us today, this verse encourages self-reflection: Are we quick to assume malicious intent in others? Do we allow fear to dictate our perceptions? It calls us to cultivate a spirit of discernment, seek truth, and trust in God's sovereignty rather than succumbing to the corrosive effects of paranoia and distrust.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 18:3 (4 votes)

    Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

  • 1 Samuel 23:21 (3 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 20:42 (2 votes)

    And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

  • 1 Samuel 20:2 (2 votes)

    And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it [is] not [so].

  • Job 33:16 (2 votes)

    Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

  • 1 Samuel 20:8 (2 votes)

    Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

  • 1 Samuel 23:16 (2 votes)

    And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.