1 Samuel 24:16
And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י׀
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּכַלּ֣וֹת
had made an end
H3615
כְּכַלּ֣וֹת
had made an end
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
2 of 19
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
דָוִ֑ד
And it came to pass when David
H1732
דָוִ֑ד
And it came to pass when David
Strong's:
H1732
Word #:
3 of 19
david, the youngest son of jesse
לְדַבֵּ֞ר
of speaking
H1696
לְדַבֵּ֞ר
of speaking
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדְּבָרִ֤ים
these words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֤ים
these words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 19
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בְּנִ֣י
my son
H1121
בְּנִ֣י
my son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
דָוִ֑ד
And it came to pass when David
H1732
דָוִ֑ד
And it came to pass when David
Strong's:
H1732
Word #:
15 of 19
david, the youngest son of jesse
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א
lifted up
H5375
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א
lifted up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
16 of 19
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern culture valued honor and shame. Saul's public weeping before his troops represented significant loss of composure. David's speech was delivered from a safe distance, and Saul's question suggests David was far enough that recognition required confirmation.
Questions for Reflection
- What distinguishes emotional response to conviction from genuine repentance?
- How do you respond when someone shows you mercy you don't deserve?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
Saul's emotional response reveals a soul momentarily pierced by conscience. The Hebrew interrogative 'haqolekha zeh' (is this thy voice) suggests disbelief—Saul cannot comprehend the mercy shown him. The address 'my son David' (beni David) uses familial language that acknowledges the relationship Saul's madness had denied. His weeping (Hebrew 'vayisa qolo vayyevk') involves 'lifting his voice,' indicating loud, convulsive sobbing. This public breakdown before his army reveals how completely David's restraint overwhelmed Saul's defenses. Yet tears of emotion differ from tears of repentance—Saul wept at David's goodness without truly repenting of his own evil.