1 Samuel 19:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Michal took an image and laid it on the bed and put a pillow of goats ' hair at its head and covered it with the clothes.

NIV: Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats’ hair at the head.

NASB: And Michal took the household idol and laid it on the bed, and put a quilt of goats’ hair at its head, and covered it with clothing.

CSB: Then Michal took the household idol and put it on the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment.

NLT: Then she took an idol and put it in his bed, covered it with blankets, and put a cushion of goat’s hair at its head.

KJV: And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.

NKJV: And Michal took an image and laid it in the bed, put a cover of goats’ hair for his head, and covered it with clothes.

In 1 Samuel 19:11–17, David says goodbye to his home in Gibeah. Part of Saul knows David isn't a threat to him, but the evil spirit that torments the king is stronger than logic. Saul has tried to kill David with a spear, his servants, and the Philistines. He tries again with "messengers" who are to watch over the house and bring David to Saul for execution. Michal helps David escape to Samuel in Ramah. When Saul comes after him, both the king and his servants start prophesying uncontrollably (1 Samuel 19:18–24).

In 1 Samuel 19, the war between Saul and David grows stronger. Saul orders his servants to kill David. Jonathan confronts him about this injustice, and the king swears not to put David to death. But when a harmful spirit from the Lord comes upon Saul, Saul tries to kill David with a spear. With Michal's help, David escapes Samuel in Ramah and the company of prophets. Three groups of Saul's servants and then Saul himself come to arrest David, but they're all overcome by God's Spirit and begin prophesying uncontrollably.

When David killed Goliath, Saul brought him in as an army commander. The more battles David won, the more the people loved him. Saul increasingly saw his warrior as a threat (1 Samuel 16:14—18:30). David finally understands he can't reconcile his relationship with the king. He flees with the help of Saul's daughter and son, who are David's wife and best friend (1 Samuel 19—20). Stil loyal to King Saul and Israel, David builds his own army. He will continue to fight Israel's enemies, and run from Saul, until Saul's death.

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 9/17/2025 9:12:12 PM