1 Samuel 22:7 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Saul appeals to his fellow Benjamites, implying David from Judah would never reward them with land and rank as he can.
What Does 1 Samuel 22:7 Mean?
Saul plays on tribal loyalty, calling his men 'ye Benjamites' -- his own kinsmen. He insinuates that David, 'the son of Jesse,' from the rival tribe of Judah, could never give them the fields, vineyards, and military commands that Saul himself can bestow. He buys allegiance with patronage and stokes their fear of loss.
Saul refuses to name David, reducing him to 'the son of Jesse,' as if to shrink him in his servants' eyes. He appeals not to justice or truth but to self-interest and tribe. When a leader can no longer command love, he tries to purchase loyalty and divide people against one another. It is the politics of a frightened heart, and it stands in stark contrast to the trust David gathers freely in his cave.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 22:7
What does 1 Samuel 22:7 mean?
Saul appeals to his fellow Benjamites, implying David from Judah would never reward them with land and rank as he can.