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?
Original Language Analysis
לָ֚מָּה
H4100
לָ֚מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
קְשַׁרְתֶּ֣ם
unto him Why have ye conspired
H7194
קְשַׁרְתֶּ֣ם
unto him Why have ye conspired
Strong's:
H7194
Word #:
5 of 21
to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)
עָלַ֔י
H5921
עָלַ֔י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּבֶן
against me thou and the son
H1121
וּבֶן
against me thou and the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְּתִתְּךָ֙
in that thou hast given
H5414
בְּתִתְּךָ֙
in that thou hast given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לֶ֣חֶם
him bread
H3899
לֶ֣חֶם
him bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
12 of 21
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וְחֶ֗רֶב
and a sword
H2719
וְחֶ֗רֶב
and a sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
13 of 21
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְשָׁא֥וֹל
and hast enquired
H7592
וְשָׁא֥וֹל
and hast enquired
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
14 of 21
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
בֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים
of God
H430
בֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לָק֥וּם
for him that he should rise
H6965
לָק֥וּם
for him that he should rise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
17 of 21
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern trials often presumed guilt when the king brought accusations. Conspiracy against the king was among the most serious crimes, typically punished by death extending to the conspirator's family. Saul's charge left little room for defense.
Questions for Reflection
- How do those in power reframe innocent actions to justify predetermined verdicts?
- What does Saul's accusation teach about the impossibility of reasoning with paranoid authority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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?
Saul's accusation combines facts with paranoid interpretation. The Hebrew 'lamah qeshartem' (why have you conspired) assumes guilt while framing the question. The threefold charge—bread, sword, divine inquiry—matches Doeg's report. But Saul's interpretation transforms hospitality into conspiracy, priestly duty into treason. The phrase 'to lie in wait' (Hebrew 'le'orev') was a capital offense, imagining David as an assassin-in-waiting. Saul's 'as at this day' suggests ongoing threat. This interrogation demonstrates how tyrants reframe innocent actions as crimes when paranoia governs perception. The truth was irrelevant; Saul had already determined the outcome.