1 Samuel 22:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Saul orders his guards to kill the priests of the LORD, but they refuse to lift a hand against them.
What Does 1 Samuel 22:17 Mean?
Saul commands his footmen to turn and slay the priests, justifying it with the charge that they sided with David and concealed his flight. But his own servants refuse. They will not raise a hand against 'the priests of the LORD,' choosing to disobey the king rather than commit such a sin.
The phrase 'the priests of the LORD' rings out twice, marking the horror of the command and the conscience of those who refused it. Even in a court ruled by fear, ordinary men knew there was a line they would not cross. Their quiet defiance is its own kind of faith: better to disobey an earthly king than to lift the hand against the servants of God. Sometimes the holiest act is the refusal to do evil, whatever the cost of saying no.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 22:17
What does 1 Samuel 22:17 mean?
Saul orders his guards to kill the priests of the LORD, but they refuse to lift a hand against them.