1 Samuel 22:11
Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 19
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לִקְרֹא֩
to call
H7121
לִקְרֹא֩
to call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
3 of 19
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲחִימֶ֨לֶךְ
Ahimelech
H288
אֲחִימֶ֨לֶךְ
Ahimelech
Strong's:
H288
Word #:
5 of 19
achimelek, the name of an israelite and of a hittite
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 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
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְאֵ֨ת
H853
וְאֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֵּ֥ית
house
H1004
בֵּ֥ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָבִ֛יו
and all his father's
H1
אָבִ֛יו
and all his father's
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
12 of 19
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
13 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ
and they came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ
and they came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
16 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Historical Context
Nob had become the center of the Elide priesthood after Shiloh's destruction. 'All his father's house' indicates the priests were organized by family lineage. The priestly community's obedient response reflects their expectation of royal protection, not persecution.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the innocent often walk into traps set by the powerful, trusting in justice that will not come?
- What does the priests' obedience to Saul's summons teach about the tension between civil authority and divine protection?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
Saul's summons of the entire priestly community signals ominous intent. The Hebrew 'vayishlach...liqro' (sent to call) conveys royal command that demanded obedience. The specification 'all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob' extends culpability from one man to an entire priestly clan. Their compliance—'they came all of them'—demonstrates their innocence; guilty conspirators would have fled. The priests' trust in royal justice would prove fatal. This summoning of God's servants before a corrupt king foreshadows Christ before Pilate, and countless martyrs before hostile authorities. The institutional church appeared before the corrupted state, believing truth would prevail.