1 Samuel 16:2
And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
אֵלֵ֔ךְ
H1980
אֵלֵ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
4 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְשָׁמַ֥ע
hear
H8085
וְשָׁמַ֥ע
hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
me And the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
me And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֶגְלַ֤ת
H5697
עֶגְלַ֤ת
Strong's:
H5697
Word #:
10 of 17
a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e., a heifer)
בָּקָר֙
an heifer
H1241
בָּקָר֙
an heifer
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
11 of 17
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ
with thee
H3027
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ
with thee
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
לִזְבֹּ֥חַ
to sacrifice
H2076
לִזְבֹּ֥חַ
to sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
15 of 17
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
Cross References
1 Samuel 9:12And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:1 Samuel 20:29And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.Matthew 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Historical Context
Saul's paranoid behavior had intensified after his rejection, making travel by religious figures potentially dangerous. The distance from Ramah to Bethlehem was approximately 10 miles through territory Saul controlled. Sacrificial feasts were common occasions for family gatherings and religious observance.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance transparency with wisdom when obedience to God might provoke opposition?
- What does Samuel's honest fear teach us about the compatibility of faith and natural human emotions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
Samuel's fear of Saul reveals that even mature prophets experience human weakness. God's response demonstrates that divine commands often include practical wisdom for their execution. The cover story of sacrifice was truthful - Samuel would indeed sacrifice - while concealing the full purpose. This instance of divinely sanctioned discretion raises important questions about truth-telling in dangerous circumstances, a theme explored by Reformed theologians regarding legitimate concealment versus lying.