1 Samuel 22:17
And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
לָֽרָצִים֩
unto the footmen
H7323
לָֽרָצִים֩
unto the footmen
Strong's:
H7323
Word #:
3 of 33
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
הַנִּצָּבִ֨ים
that stood
H5324
הַנִּצָּבִ֨ים
that stood
Strong's:
H5324
Word #:
4 of 33
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
עָלָ֜יו
H5921
עָלָ֜יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 33
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סֹ֥בּוּ
about him Turn
H5437
סֹ֥בּוּ
about him Turn
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
6 of 33
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
וְהָמִ֣יתוּ׀
and slay
H4191
וְהָמִ֣יתוּ׀
and slay
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
7 of 33
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בְּכֹֽהֲנֵ֥י
the priests
H3548
בְּכֹֽהֲנֵ֥י
the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 33
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 33
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 33
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גַם
H1571
גַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
11 of 33
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
יָדָ֔ם
because their hand
H3027
יָדָ֔ם
because their hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 33
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
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
13 of 33
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְכִ֤י
H3588
וְכִ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 33
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָֽדְעוּ֙
and because they knew
H3045
יָֽדְעוּ֙
and because they knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
16 of 33
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 33
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ה֔וּא
H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
19 of 33
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
20 of 33
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
גָל֖וּ
and did not shew
H1540
גָל֖וּ
and did not shew
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
21 of 33
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָזְנִ֑וֹ
H241
אָזְנִ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
23 of 33
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
24 of 33
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָב֞וּ
would
H14
אָב֞וּ
would
Strong's:
H14
Word #:
25 of 33
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ
not put forth
H7971
לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ
not put forth
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
28 of 33
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
29 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָדָ֔ם
because their hand
H3027
יָדָ֔ם
because their hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
30 of 33
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
לִפְגֹ֖עַ
to fall
H6293
לִפְגֹ֖עַ
to fall
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
31 of 33
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
Historical Context
Royal guards typically executed without question. Their refusal to kill priests indicates the profound sanctity accorded to those who served at the altar. This act of conscience cost them royal favor but preserved their integrity before God.
Questions for Reflection
- When must civil disobedience become faithful obedience to God?
- What does the soldiers' refusal teach about maintaining moral boundaries under immoral authority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
The soldiers' refusal represents remarkable moral courage. The Hebrew 'lo avu' (were not willing) indicates deliberate choice despite royal command. These 'footmen' (ratsim—runners, royal guards) risked everything by refusing. Their reasoning—unwillingness to 'fall upon the priests of the LORD'—shows reverence for God's servants trumped fear of the king. Saul's accusation (their hand is with David, they knew and didn't tell) distorts hospitality into conspiracy. The guards' disobedience echoes the Hebrew midwives defying Pharaoh (Exodus 1:17). When human authority commands what God forbids, faithful resistance becomes obedience to the higher King.