1 Samuel 19:17
And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?
Original Language Analysis
לָ֤מָּה
H4100
לָ֤מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
5 of 21
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
כָּ֙כָה֙
H3602
רִמִּיתִ֔נִי
Why hast thou deceived me so
H7411
רִמִּיתִ֔נִי
Why hast thou deceived me so
Strong's:
H7411
Word #:
7 of 21
to hurl; specifically, to shoot; figuratively, to delude or betray (as if causing to fall)
שַׁלְּחִ֖נִי
and sent away
H7971
שַׁלְּחִ֖נִי
and sent away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
8 of 21
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיִּמָּלֵ֑ט
that he is escaped
H4422
וַיִּמָּלֵ֑ט
that he is escaped
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
הוּא
H1931
הוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
16 of 21
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
שַׁלְּחִ֖נִי
and sent away
H7971
שַׁלְּחִ֖נִי
and sent away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
19 of 21
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Historical Context
Children lying to protect themselves from parental wrath was common in ancient patriarchal societies. Michal's claim of threatened violence shifted her from conspirator to victim in Saul's eyes. Whether Saul believed her is unstated.
Questions for Reflection
- How does one person's sin create environments where deception seems necessary for survival?
- What does the breakdown of truth between Saul and Michal reveal about sin's corrupting influence on families?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?
Saul's accusation of Michal - 'Why hast thou deceived me...sent away mine enemy?' - treats David as enemy and implies Michal's treachery. Her response - 'He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?' - shifts blame to David with an implied threat she likely fabricated. The web of deception demonstrates how Saul's violence corrupted all relationships around him.