1 Samuel 22:21
1 Samuel 22:21 in Multiple Translations
And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.
And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’s priests.
And Abiathar told David that Saul had slain Jehovah’s priests.
And gave him the news of how Saul had put to death the Lord's priests.
He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord.
And Abiathar shewed Dauid, that Saul had slayne the Lords Priestes.
and Abiathar declareth to David that Saul hath slain the priests of Jehovah.
Abiathar told David that Saul had slain the LORD’s priests.
And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.
And told him that Saul had slain the priests of the Lord.
He told David that Saul had commanded Doeg to kill Yahweh’s priests.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 22:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 22:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּגֵּ֥ד
אֶבְיָתָ֖ר
לְ/דָוִ֑ד
כִּ֚י
הָרַ֣ג
שָׁא֔וּל
אֵ֖ת
כֹּהֲנֵ֥י
יְהוָֽה
וַ/יַּגֵּ֥ד
nâgad
H5046
to tell
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶבְיָתָ֖ר
ʼEbyâthâr
H54
Abiathar
N-proper
לְ/דָוִ֑ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
Prep | N-proper
כִּ֚י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
הָרַ֣ג
hârag
H2026
to kill
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
שָׁא֔וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
Shaul
N-proper
אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
כֹּהֲנֵ֥י
kôhên
H3548
priest
N-mp
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 22:21
וַ/יַּגֵּ֥ד
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
אֶבְיָתָ֖ר
ʼEbyâthâr
H54
"Abiathar"
N-proper
Abiathar, an Israelite priest, was a faithful follower of David, but later rebelled with Adonijah, and is mentioned in 1 Samuel 22:20. His name means 'my father is great'.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.22.20; son of: Ahimelech (H0288); father of: Ahimelech (H0288I), Jonathan (H3083I) Also named: Abiathar (Ἀβιαθάρ "Abiathar" G0008) § Abiathar = "my father is great" priest, son of Ahitub (Ahimelech), faithful to David, but later rebelled with Adonijah
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: Abiathar. See also: 1 Samuel 22:20; 2 Samuel 20:25; 1 Chronicles 27:34.
לְ/דָוִ֑ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
Prep | N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
כִּ֚י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
הָרַ֣ג
hârag
H2026
"to kill"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Definition: 1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kill, slay 1a2) to destroy, ruin 1b) (Niphal) to be killed 1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:8; 2 Kings 8:12; Psalms 10:8.
שָׁא֔וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
"Shaul"
N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כֹּהֲנֵ֥י
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
N-mp
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 22:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Saul Slays the Priests of Nob
19He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
20But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David.
21And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.
22Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day, and that he was sure to tell Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s house. 23Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks your life is seeking mine as well. You will be safe with me.”1 Samuel 22:21 Summary
[This verse tells us that Abiathar, a priest, told David that King Saul had killed many of the Lord's priests. This was a very sad and scary event, and it shows how much Saul had turned against God. As we read in 1 Samuel 15:23, rebellion against God is like witchcraft, and it can lead to very serious consequences. David's response to Abiathar in 1 Samuel 22:22-23 shows that he was willing to take responsibility for the safety of Abiathar and his family, and to provide them with refuge and protection, just like God provides for us in Psalm 91:1-2.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Abiathar tell David about the killing of the priests of the Lord?
Abiathar told David about the killing of the priests of the Lord because he had escaped from Nob and was seeking refuge with David, as seen in 1 Samuel 22:20. This event is also a fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by Samuel in 1 Samuel 2:31-34.
What was the significance of the priests of the Lord being killed?
The killing of the priests of the Lord was a significant event because it showed the extent of Saul's rebellion against God, as stated in 1 Samuel 22:18. It also highlighted the importance of the priests in Israel, who were responsible for serving the Lord and guiding the people, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:1-8.
How did Abiathar's message affect David?
Abiathar's message likely made David more cautious and aware of the danger he was in, as seen in his response to Abiathar in 1 Samuel 22:22-23. It also deepened David's understanding of the conflict between himself and Saul, which is rooted in their differing relationships with God, as seen in 1 Samuel 13:14 and Psalm 78:70-72.
What can we learn from Abiathar's decision to tell David about the killing of the priests?
Abiathar's decision to tell David about the killing of the priests shows the importance of honesty and transparency, especially in times of crisis, as seen in Proverbs 10:9 and John 16:13. It also highlights the value of seeking refuge in the Lord and in His anointed leaders, as seen in Psalm 91:1-2 and Matthew 23:8-10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can be a source of comfort and refuge for others, just like David was for Abiathar?
- How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of the conflict between good and evil, and how can I align myself with God's will in the midst of it?
- What are some ways in which I can demonstrate honesty and transparency in my relationships, especially in times of crisis?
- How can I seek refuge in the Lord and in His anointed leaders, just like Abiathar did with David?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 22:21
And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the Lord's priests.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 22:21
1 Samuel 22:21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’ S priests.Ver. 21. That Saul had slain.] Himself only was escaped, that God’ s promise might be accomplished.