1 Samuel 22:15
Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
Original Language Analysis
הַיּ֧וֹם
Did I then
H3117
הַיּ֧וֹם
Did I then
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 25
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַחִלֹּ֛תִי
begin
H2490
הַחִלֹּ֛תִי
begin
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
ל֥וֹ
to enquire
H7592
ל֥וֹ
to enquire
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
3 of 25
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
ל֥וֹ
to enquire
H7592
ל֥וֹ
to enquire
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
4 of 25
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
בֵֽאלֹהִ֖ים
of God
H430
בֵֽאלֹהִ֖ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 25
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
חָלִ֣ילָה
for him be it far from me
H2486
חָלִ֣ילָה
for him be it far from me
Strong's:
H2486
Word #:
6 of 25
literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
8 of 25
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יָשֵׂם֩
impute
H7760
יָשֵׂם֩
impute
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 25
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
דָּבָ֥ר
any thing
H1697
דָּבָ֥ר
any thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
12 of 25
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֵּ֣ית
nor to all the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
nor to all the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
14 of 25
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָבִ֔י
of my father
H1
אָבִ֔י
of my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
15 of 25
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
כִּ֠י
H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֤ע
knew
H3045
יָדַ֤ע
knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
18 of 25
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דָּבָ֥ר
any thing
H1697
דָּבָ֥ר
any thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
22 of 25
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
קָטֹ֖ן
of all this less
H6996
קָטֹ֖ן
of all this less
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
23 of 25
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
Historical Context
Priestly inquiry for royal officials was normal practice. Ahimelech's claim that he 'knew nothing' of any conflict between David and Saul is entirely plausible, as David had deceived him about his mission. The defense pleads both innocence and ignorance.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Ahimelech's intercession for his fellow priests reflect pastoral responsibility?
- What does the failure of an innocent defense before corrupt power teach about trusting in God's ultimate justice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
Ahimelech's final plea asserts complete ignorance. The Hebrew 'chalilah li' (far be it from me) expresses horror at the accusation. His denial that this was the first inquiry ('did I then begin') suggests regular priestly service to David as a royal official. The phrase 'nothing of all this, less or more' (Hebrew 'lo yada...katan vegadol') is a merism meaning absolutely nothing. He extends his plea to 'all the house of my father,' trying to shield his fellow priests. This desperate defense of collective innocence would prove futile. Ahimelech stands as a type of Christ—innocent, making intercession for others, condemned by corrupt authority, and killed despite blamelessness.