1 Samuel 19:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, "Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him."

NIV: Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, "Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him."

NASB: Then Saul sent messengers to see David, saying, 'Bring him up to me on his bed, so that I may put him to death.'

CSB: Saul sent the agents back to see David and said, "Bring him on his bed so I can kill him."

NLT: But Saul sent the troops back to get David. He ordered, 'Bring him to me in his bed so I can kill him!'

KJV: And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

NKJV: Then Saul sent the messengers back to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.”

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 9/14/2025 7:56:19 PM