1 Samuel 15:31 — Word Study
WLCוַיָּ֥שָׁב שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל אַחֲרֵ֣י שָׁא֑וּל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ שָׁא֖וּל לַֽיהוָֽה׃ ס
BSASo SamuelShᵉmûwʼêl [Shemuel, a judge and prophet] went backshûwb▸ [turned again, returned] withʼachar SaulShâʼûwl [Shaul, the desired one] and SaulShâʼûwl [Shaul, the king] worshipedshâchâh▸ [bowed down, gave reverence to] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיָּ֥שָׁב | and he turned back | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל | Samuel | Noun proper masculine |
| אַחֲרֵ֣י | after | Prep |
| שָׁא֑וּל | Saul | Noun proper masculine |
| וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ | and he bowed down | Verb pilpel, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| שָׁא֖וּל | Saul | Noun proper masculine |
| לַֽיהוָֽה׃ ס | to Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. |
| KJV | So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD. |
| ASV | So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped Jehovah. |
| YLT | And Samuel turneth back after Saul, and Saul boweth himself to Jehovah; |
| WEB | So Samuel went back with Saul; and Saul worshiped Yahweh. |
| BBE | So Samuel went back after Saul, and Saul gave worship to the Lord. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a prepositional phrase and another main clause, indicating the flow of actions.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectשְׁמוּאֵל
verbשׁוּב
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Samuel 15:31
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Rejection of Saulgenerated
1 Samuel 15:31 describes the moment after Saul admits his sin to Samuel and requests to be honored before the elders. Samuel's return with Saul signifies a complex relationship of authority and obedience, culminating in Saul's act of worship, which reflects his recognition of God's sovereignty despite his earlier failures.
Cross References
The Key Word — וַיָּ֥שָׁב, vai.Ya.shovgenerated
The verb שׁוּב (shuwb) means to return or turn back. It is used in various contexts, including physical return, spiritual repentance, and relational restoration. Here, it indicates Samuel's action of returning with Saul after their previous encounter.
The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person masculine singular tells us that this action is ongoing and relates to Samuel's role as a prophet and leader. The verb's usage often implies a significant change in direction or state, which is fitting in this narrative context.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which has went back for וַיָּ֥שָׁב.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וַיָּ֥שָׁב governs the sentence, indicating Samuel's action. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating with whom he returned and another clause describing Saul's act of worship.
The word order places emphasis on Samuel's return, which is crucial to the narrative, as it sets the stage for Saul's worship and highlights the dynamics of their relationship.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיָּ֥שָׁב as ἀνέστρεψεν, meaning 'he turned back'. This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the action of returning.
For וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ, the Greek προσεκύνησεν conveys the act of worship, aligning closely with the Hebrew sense of bowing in reverence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Samuel 15:31 tells us that after Saul confessed his sin, Samuel returned with him. Saul then worshiped the LORD, which shows his recognition of God's authority despite his earlier disobedience.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Saul's worship signifies his acknowledgment of God's authority and his desire for reconciliation after his disobedience.
Samuel returned with Saul to fulfill the request made by Saul, indicating a complex relationship of authority and accountability.
Worship involves humility and reverence, as demonstrated by Saul's bowing down before the LORD.
The verse reflects the theme of repentance through Saul's admission of sin and his act of worship, which indicates a desire to return to God's favor.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does it mean to truly worship God in my life?
- How can I demonstrate humility and reverence in my actions?
- In what areas do I need to turn back to God?
- How can I support others in their journey of repentance and worship?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The commentary from Gregory the Dialogist discusses the implications of Saul's actions and the hidden evil within, arguing from this verse.
35. For on account of the evil that lay hidden within, he deserved to hear: "The Lord has cast you off from being king." But so that under the pretext of good he might draw others to the truth of that same good,Early Church Fathers on 1 Samuel 15 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Samuel 15:31 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSo Samuel turned again after Saul,.... Though he before said he would not, 1 Samuel 15:26 yet he did, changing his mind, as he might without being chargeable with a lie; and he also might have an
Read John Gill on 1 Samuel 15 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySo Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD. So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Samuel 15 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSamuel turned again after Saul; not to worship the Lord with him, for that he did not; and therefore it is here mentioned that Saul only worshipped the Lord; but for two other reasons: first, that people might not upon pretence of this sentence of rejection immediately withdraw all respect and obedience to their sovereign; whereby they would both have sinned against God, and have been as sheep without a shepherd. Secondly, That he might rectify Saul’ s error, and execute God’ s judgment upon Agag.
Read Matthew Poole on 1 Samuel 15 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments1 Samuel 15:31 So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.Ver. 31. So Samuel turned again after Saul.] Both to show his respect to him as his sovereign, and to do execution upon Agag.
Read John Trapp on 1 Samuel 15 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(31) So Samuel turned again after Saul.—The prophet, after the repeated and pressing request of the king, consents publicly to worship the Lord in his company. There is little doubt but that the principal motive which induced Samuel on this occasion not to withdraw himself from the public thanksgiving was a desire to prevent any disaffection towards the monarchy. His known disapproval of Saul’s conduct, and his declining the king’s earnest prayer to stay, would probably have been the signal to the discontented spirits in Israel to revolt, under the pretext that such a revolt would be pleasing to the great seer. Such a revolt in those critical times would have been disastrous to the growing…
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Samuel 15 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges31. So Samuel turned again] Changing his purpose in order to maintain the honour of the reigning king, for although Saul had forfeited his position as Jehovah’s chosen representative, he must still rule the nation.
Read Cambridge on 1 Samuel 15 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible31. Samuel turned again after Saul — He finally yielded to Saul’s pleading, but not until he had, by his stern and solemn acts and words, made on his mind deep and lasting impressions of God’s anger against him.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 1 Samuel 15 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.
So Samuel went back with Saul; and Saul worshiped Yahweh.
So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.
So Samuel followed Saul back, and Saul worshiped the Lord.
Tyndale line
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped Jehovah.
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshiped the LORD.
So Samuel turned againe, and followed Saul: and Saul worshipped the Lord.
Strictly literal
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped Jehovah.
And Samuel turneth back after Saul, and Saul boweth himself to Jehovah;
And Samuel turns back after Saul, and Saul bows himself to YHWH;
So Samuel returned, following Saul; and Saul prostrated himself to the Lord.
So Samuel turned again after Saul, and Saul worshiped Yahweh.
From the Latin
So Samuel turned again after Saul: and Saul adored the Lord.
Simplified
So Samuel went back with Saul after all, and Saul worshiped the Lord.
So Samuel went back after Saul, and Saul gave worship to the Lord.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches six of the seven words in this verse. The Dead Sea Scrolls also contain fragments that align closely with the MT, though some words are restored by editors.
וַיָּ֥שָׁב שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל אַחֲרֵ֣י שָׁא֑וּל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ שָׁא֖וּל לַֽיהוָֽה׃ ס
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[וישוב] שמואל אחרי [שאול] [וישתחו] ליהוה
6 words of the verse are on this fragment — 2 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Samuel 15:31
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.
שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return
Qal 683;—turn back, return:
turn back
return, come or go back
esp. return unto
of dying
of revival from death
fig. of human relations:
return to leader, king
= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
turn, i.e. resort to
return to a physical condition
abs. = change course of action
fig., specif. of spiritual relations:
turn back from God = apostatize
of י׳, turn away
turn back to God (= seek penitently)
abs. repent
turn back from evil
of י׳
of י׳, return (to shew favour)
of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
denoting repetition, etc.
trans.
Pō‛l.
bring back
fig. restore, refresh
restore, repair
lead away (enticingly)
shew turning = apostatize
Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back
bring back into bondage
put back
= draw back
= give back, restore
= relinguish
= give in payment, requital
bring one back (from dead)
bring back heart
= refresh
H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back
. return, come or go back
. esp. return unto
. . of dying
. of revival from death
. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king
. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
. turn, i.e. resort to
. return to a physical condition
. abs. = change course of action
. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize
. of י׳, turn away
. turn back to God (= seek penitently)
. abs. repent
. turn back from evil
. of י׳
. of י׳, return (to shew favour)
. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
. denoting repetition, etc.
. trans.
. . bring back
. . fig. restore, refresh
. restore, repair
. lead away (enticingly)
. shew turning = apostatize
. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage
. put back
. = draw back
. = give back, restore
. = relinguish
. = give in payment, requital
7725 shuwb shoob
a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or
intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily
with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to
retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,
dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,
make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer
(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring
(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),
cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +
continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,
fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give
(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)
more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put
(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,
relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,
שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.
: return
1) to return, turn back
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to turn back, return
1a1a) to turn back
1a1b) to return, come or go back
1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back
1a1d) of dying
1a1e) of human relations (fig)
1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)
1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise
1a1f2) to turn away (of God)
1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent
1a1f4) turn back (from evil)
1a1g) of inanimate things
1a1h) in repetition
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to bring back
1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)
1b3) to lead away (enticingly)
1b4) to show turning, apostatise
1c) (Pual) restored (participle)
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back
1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment
1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore
1d3) to bring back, report to, answer
1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
שְׁמוּאֵל (Shmuw'el) means 'heard of God' and refers to the name Samuel, associated with three Israelites. The most notable is the prophet Samuel, son of Elkanah and Hannah, who served during the reigns of Saul and David. Other references include individuals from the tribes of Simeon and Issachar, with the name implying a connection to God.
שְׁמוּאֵל 140 n.pr.m. Samuel (= name of Ēl)
great prophet, 11th cent. B.C.
in Simeon
in Issachar
base
H8050 שְׁמוּאֵל
8050 Shmuw'el sehm-oo-ale'
from the passive participle of 8085 and 410; heard of God;
Shemuel, the name of three Israelites:--Samuel, Shemuel.
see HEBREW for 08085
see HEBREW for 0410
שְׁמוּאֵל (she.mu.el) — Samuel.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.1.20;
son of: Elkanah (H0511H) and Hannah (H2584);
father of: Joel (H3100) and Abijah (H0029)
Also named: Samouēl (Σαμουήλ "Samuel" G4545)
§ Samuel = "his name is El"
1) son of Elkanah by his wife Hannah and judge or prophet of Israel during the days of Saul and David
2) son Ammihud and the prince of the tribe of Simeon who was chosen to divide the land of Canaan between the tribes. Spelled 'Shemuel'
3) son of Tola and grandson of Issachar. Spelled 'Shemuel'
שְׁמוּאֵל (she.mu.el) — Shemuel.
A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at Num.34.20;
son of: Ammihud (H5989H)
§ Samuel = "his name is El"
1) son of Elkanah by his wife Hannah and judge or prophet of Israel during the days of Saul and David
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
sam'-u-el (shemu'el; Samouel): The word "Samuel" signifies "name of God," or "his name is El" (God). Other interpretations of the name that have been offered are almost certainly mistaken. The play upon the name in 1Sa 1:20 is not intended of course to be an explanation of its meaning, but is similar to the play upon the name Moses in Ex 2:10 and frequently elsewhere in similar instances. Thus, by the addition of a few letters shemu'el becomes sha'ul me'el, "asked of God," and recalls to the mother of Samuel the circumstances of the divine gift to her of a son. Outside of 1st Samuel the name of the great judge and prophet is found in Jer 15:1; Ps 99:6 and in 1 and 2…
Samuel
Heard of God. The peculiar circumstances connected with his birth are recorded in 1 Sam. 1:20. Hannah, one of the two wives of Elkanah, who came up to Shiloh to worship before the Lord, earnestly prayed to God that she might become the mother of a son. Her prayer was graciously granted; and after the child was weaned she brought him to Shiloh nd consecrated him to the Lord as a perpetual Nazarite (1:23-2:11). Here his bodily wants and training were attended to by the women who served in the tabernacle, while Eli cared for his religious culture. Thus, probably, twelve years of his life passed away. “The child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men” (2:26; comp. Luke 2:52). It was a time of great and growing degeneracy in Israel (
was the son of Elkanah and Hannah, and was born at Ramathaim-zophim, among the hills of Ephraim. [RAMAH No. 2] (B.C. 1171.) Before his birth he was dedicated by his mother to the office of a Nazarite and when a young child, 12 years old according to Josephus he was placed in the temple, and ministered unto the Lord before Eli." It was while here that he received his first prophetic call. (1 Samuel 3:1-18) He next appears, probably twenty years afterward, suddenly among the people, warning them against their idolatrous practices. (1 Samuel 7:3,4) Then followed Samuel’s first and, as far as we know, only military achievement, ch. (1 Samuel 7:5-12) but it was apparently this which raised him to the office of "judge." He visited, in…
God hath heard, 1Sa 1:20, a child of prayer, the celebrated Hebrew prophet and judge, Ac 3:24 13:20. He was a Levite by birth, 1Co 6:20, and the son of Elkanah and Hannah, at Ramah in Mount Ephraim, northwest of Jerusalem. At a very tender age he was carried to Shiloh, and brought up beside the tabernacle under the care of Eli the high priest. Having been conserated to God from his birth, and devoted to Nazariteship, he began to receive divine communications even in his childhood, 1Sa 3:1-21; and after the death of Eli, he became established as the judge of Israel. He was the last and best of the Hebrew judges. We contemplate his character and administration with peculiar…
The Hebrew word אַחַר (*achar*) primarily denotes the concept of 'after' or 'behind' in both spatial and temporal contexts. It functions as a substantive, adverb, preposition, and conjunction, indicating a following part or time. The related form אַחֲרַי (*acharai*) refers to a person who turns backwards. There is a reference to Proverbs 28:23 in relation to the latter.
אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part
adv.
of place, behind
of time, afterwards
prep.
of place, behind, after
of time, after
conj. after that.
H310a אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part . adv. . of place, behind
. of time, afterwards
. prep. . of place, behind, after
. of time, after
. conj. after that.
H310b אַחֲרַי a man that turneth backwards.
310 'achar akh-ar'
from 309; properly, the hind part; generally used as an
adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses):--after
(that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side),
behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from,
hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute,
posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth),
when, with.
see HEBREW for 0309
אַחַר (a.char) — after.
1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time)
1a) as an adverb
1a1) behind (of place)
1a2) afterwards (of time)
1b) as a preposition
1b1) behind, after (of place)
1b2) after (of time)
1b3) besides
1c) as a conjunction
1c) after that
1d) as a substantive
1d1) hinder part
1e) with other prepositions
1e1) from behind
1e2) from following after
אַחֲרַי (a.cha.ray) — backwards.
backwards (of a man that turns backwards)
Prep — PrepHAcmpc
שָׁאוּל (Sha'uwl) means 'asked' and is associated with several figures in the Old Testament, most notably Saul, the first king of Israel from the tribe of Benjamin. The entries indicate that the name can refer to multiple individuals, including an early king of Edom and a Levite. The name is derived from a passive participle form, suggesting a connection to the act of asking.
שָׁאוּל n.pr.m. (= asked)
397 1st king of Isr.
a king of Edom
a son of Simeon
a Levite
base
H7586 שָׁאוּל (= asked)
7586 Sha'uwl shaw-ool'
passive participle of 7592; asked; Shaul, the name of an
Edomite and two Israelites:--Saul, Shaul.
see HEBREW for 07592
שָׁאוּל (sha.ul) — Saul.
A king of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.2;
son of: Kish (H7027); married to Ahinoam (H0293) and Rizpah (H7532);
father of: Jonathan (H3083H), Abinadab (H0041H), Malchi-shua (H4444), Merab (H4764), Michal (H4324), Ish-bosheth (H0378), Armoni (H0764), Mephibosheth (H4648H)
§ 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
שָׁאוּל (sha.ul) — Shaul.
A man of the tribe of Simeon living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.10;
son of: Simeon (H8095) and Canaanite_woman (H3669);
brother of: Jemuel (H3223), Jamin (H3226), Ohad (H0161), Jachin (H3199) and Zerah (H2226L);
father of: Shallum (H7967K)
Also named: sha.u.li (שָׁאוּלִי "Shaulite" H7587)
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
sol (sha'ul; Saoul):
(1) The first king of Israel.
I. EARLY HISTORY
1. Name and Meaning
2. Genealogy
3. Home and Station
4. Sources for Life
5. Election as King
6. Reasons for It
II. REIGN AND FALL
1. His First Action
2. Army Reorganized
3. Battle of Michmash
4. Defeats the Amalekites
5. Deposition Pronounced
6. David Introduced to Saul
7. Two Accounts
8. Saul's Envy of David
9. Attempts to Get Rid of David
10. David Spares Saul
11. Saul's Divided Energies
12. Consults a Necromancer
13. Battle of Gilboa
14. Double Accounts
15. Saul's Posterity
III. CHARACTER
1. Book of Chronicles
2. Saul's Failings
3. His Virtue
4. David's Elegy
I. Early History.
1. Name and Meaning:
The name Saul is usually regarded as simply the passive participle of the verb "to ask," and so meaning "asked" (compare 1Sa 8:4 ff), but the gentilic adjective sha'uli (
Saul
Asked for. (1.) A king of Edom (Gen. 36:37, 38); called Shaul in 1 Chr. 1:48.
(2.) The son of Kish (probably his only son, and a child of prayer, “asked for”), of the tribe of Benjamin, the first king of the Jewish nation. The singular providential circumstances connected with his election as king are recorded in 1 Sam. 8-10. His father’s she-asses had strayed, and Saul was sent with a servant to seek for them. Leaving his home at Gibeah (10:5, “the hill of God,” A.V.; lit., as in R.V. marg., “Gibeah of God”), Saul and his servant went toward the north-west over Mount Ephraim, and then turning north-east they came to “the land of Shalisha,” and thence eastward to the land of Shalim, and at length came to the district of Zuph, near Samuel’s home at Ramah (9:5-10). At this point…
(desired), more accurately Shaul. One of the early kings of Edom, and successor of Samlah. (Genesis 36:37,38; 1 Chronicles 1:48) (B.C. after 1450.) The first king of Israel, the son of Kish, and of the tribe of Benjamin. (B.C, 1095-1055.) His character is in part illustrated by the fierce, wayward, fitful nature of the tribe and in part accounted for by the struggle between the old and new systems in which he found himself involved. To this we must add a taint of madness. which broke out in violent frenzy at times leaving him with long lucid intervals. He was remarkable for his strength and activity, (2 Samuel 1:25) and, like the Homeric heroes, of gigantic stature, taller by head and shoulders than the rest of the people, and…
The son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, the first king of the Israelites, anointed by Samuel, B. C. 1091, and after a reign of forty years filled with various events, slain with his sons on Mount Gilboa. He was succeeded by David, who was his son-in-law, and whom he had endeavored to put to death. His history is contained in 1Sa 10:1-31:13. It is a sad and admonitory narrative. The morning of his reign was bright with special divine favors, both providential, and spiritual, 1Sa 9:20 10:1-11,24,25. But he soon began to disobey God, and was rejected as unworthy to found a line of kings; his sins and misfortunes multiplied, and his sun went down in gloom. In his first war with the Ammonites, God was with him; but then follow his presumptuous sacrifice, in the absence of Samuel…
The Hebrew word שָׁחָה (*shachah*) is a primitive root meaning to bow down or prostrate oneself, particularly in homage to a superior or in worship before God. It can also imply a figurative sense of being depressed by anxiety. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including worship of both God and false gods.
[שָׁחָה] 172 vb. bow down
Qal bow down
Hiph. fig., anxiety depresses it
Hithpa‛lēl
bow down, prostrate oneself, before a monarch or superior, in homage, etc.
before God, in worship
before other gods
base
H7812 שָׁחָה bow down .bow down
. fig., anxiety depresses it
.. bow down, prostrate oneself, before a monarch or superior, in homage, etc.
. before God, in worship
. before other gods
7812 shachah shaw-khaw'
a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially
reflexive, in homage to royalty or God):--bow (self) down,
crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance,
do reverence, make to stoop, worship.
שָׁחָה (sha.chah) — to bow.
1) to bow down
1a) (Qal) to bow down
1b)(Hiphil) to depress (fig)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself
1c1a) before superior in homage
1c1b) before God in worship
1c1c) before false gods
1c1d) before angel
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb pilpel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vvw3ms
שָׁאוּל (Sha'uwl) means 'asked' and is associated with several figures in the Old Testament, most notably Saul, the first king of Israel from the tribe of Benjamin. The entries indicate that the name can refer to multiple individuals, including an early king of Edom and a Levite. The name is derived from a passive participle form, suggesting a connection to the act of asking.
שָׁאוּל n.pr.m. (= asked)
397 1st king of Isr.
a king of Edom
a son of Simeon
a Levite
base
H7586 שָׁאוּל (= asked)
7586 Sha'uwl shaw-ool'
passive participle of 7592; asked; Shaul, the name of an
Edomite and two Israelites:--Saul, Shaul.
see HEBREW for 07592
שָׁאוּל (sha.ul) — Saul.
A king of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.2;
son of: Kish (H7027); married to Ahinoam (H0293) and Rizpah (H7532);
father of: Jonathan (H3083H), Abinadab (H0041H), Malchi-shua (H4444), Merab (H4764), Michal (H4324), Ish-bosheth (H0378), Armoni (H0764), Mephibosheth (H4648H)
§ 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
שָׁאוּל (sha.ul) — Shaul.
A man of the tribe of Simeon living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.10;
son of: Simeon (H8095) and Canaanite_woman (H3669);
brother of: Jemuel (H3223), Jamin (H3226), Ohad (H0161), Jachin (H3199) and Zerah (H2226L);
father of: Shallum (H7967K)
Also named: sha.u.li (שָׁאוּלִי "Shaulite" H7587)
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
sol (sha'ul; Saoul):
(1) The first king of Israel.
I. EARLY HISTORY
1. Name and Meaning
2. Genealogy
3. Home and Station
4. Sources for Life
5. Election as King
6. Reasons for It
II. REIGN AND FALL
1. His First Action
2. Army Reorganized
3. Battle of Michmash
4. Defeats the Amalekites
5. Deposition Pronounced
6. David Introduced to Saul
7. Two Accounts
8. Saul's Envy of David
9. Attempts to Get Rid of David
10. David Spares Saul
11. Saul's Divided Energies
12. Consults a Necromancer
13. Battle of Gilboa
14. Double Accounts
15. Saul's Posterity
III. CHARACTER
1. Book of Chronicles
2. Saul's Failings
3. His Virtue
4. David's Elegy
I. Early History.
1. Name and Meaning:
The name Saul is usually regarded as simply the passive participle of the verb "to ask," and so meaning "asked" (compare 1Sa 8:4 ff), but the gentilic adjective sha'uli (
Saul
Asked for. (1.) A king of Edom (Gen. 36:37, 38); called Shaul in 1 Chr. 1:48.
(2.) The son of Kish (probably his only son, and a child of prayer, “asked for”), of the tribe of Benjamin, the first king of the Jewish nation. The singular providential circumstances connected with his election as king are recorded in 1 Sam. 8-10. His father’s she-asses had strayed, and Saul was sent with a servant to seek for them. Leaving his home at Gibeah (10:5, “the hill of God,” A.V.; lit., as in R.V. marg., “Gibeah of God”), Saul and his servant went toward the north-west over Mount Ephraim, and then turning north-east they came to “the land of Shalisha,” and thence eastward to the land of Shalim, and at length came to the district of Zuph, near Samuel’s home at Ramah (9:5-10). At this point…
(desired), more accurately Shaul. One of the early kings of Edom, and successor of Samlah. (Genesis 36:37,38; 1 Chronicles 1:48) (B.C. after 1450.) The first king of Israel, the son of Kish, and of the tribe of Benjamin. (B.C, 1095-1055.) His character is in part illustrated by the fierce, wayward, fitful nature of the tribe and in part accounted for by the struggle between the old and new systems in which he found himself involved. To this we must add a taint of madness. which broke out in violent frenzy at times leaving him with long lucid intervals. He was remarkable for his strength and activity, (2 Samuel 1:25) and, like the Homeric heroes, of gigantic stature, taller by head and shoulders than the rest of the people, and…
The son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, the first king of the Israelites, anointed by Samuel, B. C. 1091, and after a reign of forty years filled with various events, slain with his sons on Mount Gilboa. He was succeeded by David, who was his son-in-law, and whom he had endeavored to put to death. His history is contained in 1Sa 10:1-31:13. It is a sad and admonitory narrative. The morning of his reign was bright with special divine favors, both providential, and spiritual, 1Sa 9:20 10:1-11,24,25. But he soon began to disobey God, and was rejected as unworthy to found a line of kings; his sins and misfortunes multiplied, and his sun went down in gloom. In his first war with the Ammonites, God was with him; but then follow his presumptuous sacrifice, in the absence of Samuel…
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt