1 Samuel 19:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when the messengers came in, behold, the image was in the bed, with the pillow of goats ' hair at its head.

NIV: But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats’ hair.

NASB: When the messengers entered, behold, the household idol was on the bed with the quilt of goats’ hair at its head.

CSB: When the agents arrived, to their surprise, the household idol was on the bed with some goat hair on its head.

NLT: But when they came to carry David out, they discovered that it was only an idol in the bed with a cushion of goat’s hair at its head.

KJV: And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.

NKJV: And when the messengers had come in, there was the image in the bed, with a cover of goats’ hair for his head.

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 9/16/2025 12:24:07 PM