1 Samuel 22:14
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֧עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֧עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֲחִימֶ֛לֶךְ
Then Ahimelech
H288
אֲחִימֶ֛לֶךְ
Then Ahimelech
Strong's:
H288
Word #:
2 of 17
achimelek, the name of an israelite and of a hittite
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּמִ֤י
H4310
וּמִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
6 of 17
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בְכָל
H3605
בְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נֶֽאֱמָ֔ן
And who is so faithful
H539
נֶֽאֱמָ֔ן
And who is so faithful
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
וַֽחֲתַ֥ן
son in law
H2860
וַֽחֲתַ֥ן
son in law
Strong's:
H2860
Word #:
11 of 17
a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)
מִשְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ךָ
at thy bidding
H4928
מִשְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ךָ
at thy bidding
Strong's:
H4928
Word #:
15 of 17
audience, i.e., the royal court; also obedience, i.e., (concretely) a subject
Historical Context
Ahimelech's defense reflects standard legal argumentation: David's official position should have legitimized any assistance. As the king's son-in-law and military commander, David would reasonably receive priestly support. The defense assumes rational proceedings.
Questions for Reflection
- When has speaking truth to power failed to produce just outcomes?
- What does Ahimelech's reasoned defense teach about the limits of logic against irrational hatred?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
Ahimelech's defense appeals to David's public reputation and official standing. The Hebrew 'ne'eman' (faithful/trustworthy) challenges Saul's conspiracy narrative with David's documented loyalty. Three credentials are cited: son-in-law (royal family member), obedient servant (military subordinate), and honored courtier. The priest essentially argues: how could helping the king's most trusted servant constitute treason? His rhetorical question assumes shared knowledge of David's status. Ahimelech's defense is legally sound but politically naive—Saul had already rejected these facts. Truth spoken to power sometimes seals rather than saves the speaker.