1 Samuel 23:20
Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠עַתָּה
H6258
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נַפְשְׁךָ֥
of thy soul
H5315
נַפְשְׁךָ֥
of thy soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
רֵ֑ד
come down
H3381
רֵ֑ד
come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
6 of 11
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
רֵ֑ד
come down
H3381
רֵ֑ד
come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
7 of 11
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הַסְגִּיר֖וֹ
and our part shall be to deliver
H5462
הַסְגִּיר֖וֹ
and our part shall be to deliver
Strong's:
H5462
Word #:
9 of 11
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
Historical Context
Offering to 'deliver' David echoed the question David had asked about Keilah (v. 11-12). The Ziphites volunteered what God warned Keilah would do under pressure. Their proactive betrayal exceeded mere compliance with royal demands.
Questions for Reflection
- What motivates people to actively participate in persecuting others?
- How does currying favor with the powerful corrupt communities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.
The Ziphites offer eager collaboration. The Hebrew 'le'avvat naphshekha' (the desire of your soul) panders to Saul's obsession—they recognized and enabled his destructive pursuit. Their phrase 'our part shall be to deliver him' assigns themselves active roles in David's capture. This willingness to participate reveals hearts aligned with Saul's wickedness rather than merely intimidated by his power. Their invitation for Saul to 'come down' echoes the same verb used of Saul's planned attack on Keilah (v. 8). Communities that curry royal favor by betraying the innocent become complicit in tyranny.