1 Samuel 22:23
Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
Original Language Analysis
שְׁבָ֤ה
Abide
H3427
שְׁבָ֤ה
Abide
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אִתִּי֙
H854
אִתִּי֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
3 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּירָ֔א
thou with me fear
H3372
תִּירָ֔א
thou with me fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
4 of 16
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְבַקֵּ֣שׁ
not for he that seeketh
H1245
יְבַקֵּ֣שׁ
not for he that seeketh
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
7 of 16
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ
my life
H5315
נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ
my life
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
יְבַקֵּ֣שׁ
not for he that seeketh
H1245
יְבַקֵּ֣שׁ
not for he that seeketh
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
10 of 16
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ
my life
H5315
נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ
my life
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
1 Kings 2:26And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.John 18:9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.John 15:20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep your's also.
Historical Context
David's acceptance of Abiathar created a lasting alliance between the Davidic monarchy and the Levitical priesthood. Abiathar served as David's priest until Solomon's reign, providing crucial spiritual guidance through the ephod's divine consultation.
Questions for Reflection
- How can we transform guilt over past failures into present redemptive action?
- What does David's protection of Abiathar teach about taking responsibility for those harmed by our choices?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
David's offer of protection transforms guilt into redemptive action. The Hebrew imperatives 'shevah' (abide/stay) and 'al-tira' (fear not) provide comfort and command. The shared danger—'he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life'—creates solidarity between fugitive king and surviving priest. David's promise 'with me thou shalt be in safeguard' (Hebrew 'mishmeret') pledges guardianship. Having caused Abiathar's loss, David now commits to his protection. This union of future king and surviving priest establishes a partnership that would serve David throughout his reign. The one whose deception caused the massacre now becomes the protector of the one who survived it—grace working through human failure.