1 Samuel 22:14
New International Version
Ahimelek answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household?

New Living Translation
“But sir,” Ahimelech replied, “is anyone among all your servants as faithful as David, your son-in-law? Why, he is the captain of your bodyguard and a highly honored member of your household!

English Standard Version
Then Ahimelech answered the king, “And who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, and captain over your bodyguard, and honored in your house?

Berean Standard Bible
Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard and honored in your house?

King James Bible
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?

New King James Version
So Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, who goes at your bidding, and is honorable in your house?

New American Standard Bible
Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s own son-in-law, who is commander over your bodyguard, and is honored in your house?

NASB 1995
Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, even the king’s son-in-law, who is captain over your guard, and is honored in your house?

NASB 1977
Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, even the king’s son-in-law, who is captain over your guard, and is honored in your house?

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, even the king’s son-in-law, who is captain over your guard, and is honored in your house?

Amplified Bible
Then Ahimelech answered the king, “And who among all your servants is as faithful and trustworthy as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, and who is captain over your guard [and your confidant], and is honored in your house?

Christian Standard Bible
Ahimelech replied to the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David? He is the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and honored in your house.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Ahimelech replied to the king: “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David? He is the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and honored in your house.

American Standard Version
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who among all thy servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and is taken into thy council, and is honorable in thy house?

Contemporary English Version
"Your Majesty, none of your officers is more loyal than David!" Ahimelech replied. "He's your son-in-law and the captain of your bodyguard. Everyone in your family respects him.

English Revised Version
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who among all thy servants is so faithful as David, which is the king's son in law, and is taken into thy council, and is honourable in thine house?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ahimelech asked the king, "But whom among all your officials can you trust like David? Your Majesty, he's your son-in-law, the commander of your bodyguard. He's honored in your own household.

Good News Translation
Ahimelech answered, "David is the most faithful officer you have! He is your own son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and highly respected by everyone in the royal court.

International Standard Version
Ahimelech answered the king, "Who among all your officials is as faithful as David? He is the king's son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard, and he's honored in your household.

Majority Standard Bible
Ahimelech answered the king, ?Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king?s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard and honored in your house?

NET Bible
Ahimelech replied to the king, "Who among all your servants is faithful like David? He is the king's son-in-law, the leader of your bodyguard, and honored in your house!

New Heart English Bible
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, "Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and a commander over your bodyguard, and honored in your house?

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honorable in thy house?

World English Bible
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, “Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, captain of your body guard, and honored in your house?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Ahimelech answers the king and says, “And who among all your servants [is] as David—faithful, and son-in-law of the king, and has turned aside to your council, and is honored in your house?

Young's Literal Translation
And Ahimelech answereth the king and saith, 'And who among all thy servants is as David -- faithful, and son-in-law of the king, and hath turned aside unto thy council, and is honoured in thy house?

Smith's Literal Translation
And Ahimelech will answer the king and say, And who among all thy servants faithful as David, and son-in-law of the king, and he departed at hearing thee, and honored in thy house?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Achimelech answering the king, said: And who amongst all thy servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son in law, and goeth forth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thy house?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And responding to the king, Ahimelech said: “But who among all your servants is as faithful as David? And he is the son-in-law of the king, and he goes forth at your order, and he is a glory within your house.

New American Bible
Ahimelech answered the king: “Who among all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and honored in your own house?

New Revised Standard Version
Then Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is so faithful as David? He is the king’s son-in-law, and is quick to do your bidding, and is honored in your house.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Ahimeleck the priest answered the king and said, And who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and heeds your commands and is honored in your house?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Akhimelek the Priest answered the King and said: “Who among all your Servants is like David, who is faithful, and the son in law of the King, and he keeps your commandments and is honored in your house?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said: 'And who among all thy servants is so trusted as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and giveth heed unto thy bidding, and is honourable in thy house?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he answered the king, and said, And who is there among all thy servants faithful as David, and he is a son-in-law of the king, and he is executor of all thy commands, and is honourable in thy house?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Slays the Priests of Nob
13And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.” 14Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard who is honored in your house? 15Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of my father’s household, for your servant knew nothing of this whole affair—not in part or in whole.”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:18
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

1 Samuel 18:5
So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.

1 Samuel 18:14-15
and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him. / When Saul saw that David was very successful, he was afraid of him.

1 Samuel 18:30
Every time the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers, so that his name was highly esteemed.

1 Samuel 19:4-5
Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you. / He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”

1 Samuel 20:32
“Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?”

1 Samuel 24:17
and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.

1 Samuel 25:28
Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.

2 Samuel 8:15
Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:

2 Samuel 18:3
But the people pleaded, “You must not go out! For if we have to flee, they will not care about us. Even if half of us die, they will not care. But you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better now if you support us from the city.”

1 Kings 3:6
Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

1 Chronicles 11:2
Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. / So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.

Acts 13:22
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

Acts 7:9-10
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all your servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goes at your bidding, and is honorable in your house?

And who

1 Samuel 19:4,5
And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to theeward very good: …

1 Samuel 20:32
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?

1 Samuel 24:11
Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

the king's

1 Samuel 22:13
And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

1 Samuel 17:25
And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

1 Samuel 18:27
Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

goeth

1 Samuel 18:13
Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

1 Samuel 21:2
And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.

Jump to Previous
Access Ahimelech Ahim'elech Armed Bidding Captain Council David Heed Highly Honorable Honored Honour Honourable House Household King's Law Respected Servants Son-In-Law True. Trusted
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Access Ahimelech Ahim'elech Armed Bidding Captain Council David Heed Highly Honorable Honored Honour Honourable House Household King's Law Respected Servants Son-In-Law True. Trusted
1 Samuel 22
1. Companies resort unto David at Adullam
3. At Mizpeh he commends his parents unto the king of Moab
5. Admonished by Gad, he comes to Hareth,
6. Saul going to pursue him, complains of his servants' unfaithfulness
9. Doeg accuses Ahimelech
11. Saul commands to kill the priests
17. The footmen refusing, Doeg executes it
20. Abiathar escaping, brings David the news














Ahimelech answered the king
Ahimelech, the high priest, stands before King Saul, who is in a state of paranoia and rage. The Hebrew root for "answered" (עָנָה, 'anah) implies a response that is thoughtful and deliberate. Ahimelech's response is not just a defense of David but a testament to his own integrity and courage. In the historical context, priests were often seen as mediators between God and man, and Ahimelech's role here is to speak truth to power, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible.

Who among all your servants
This phrase sets the stage for a rhetorical question that highlights David's exceptional status. The Hebrew word for "servants" (עֲבָדֶיךָ, 'avadeka) is often used to denote those who are in service to a king, suggesting loyalty and duty. Ahimelech is reminding Saul of the loyalty that David has consistently shown, which is a stark contrast to Saul's growing mistrust and insecurity.

is as faithful as David
The word "faithful" (נֶאֱמָן, ne'eman) in Hebrew carries the connotation of steadfastness and reliability. David's faithfulness is not just to Saul but ultimately to God, which is a central theme in his life. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that true faithfulness is rooted in one's relationship with God, and it serves as a reminder of the qualities that God values in His servants.

the king’s son-in-law
By referring to David as the "king’s son-in-law," Ahimelech is emphasizing the familial bond and the covenantal relationship that exists between Saul and David. In ancient Israel, marriage alliances were significant, often serving as political and social bonds. This phrase highlights the irony of Saul's animosity towards David, who is not only his servant but also his family.

captain of your bodyguard
The term "captain" (שַׂר, sar) denotes a position of authority and trust. David's role as the leader of Saul's bodyguard signifies his importance and the trust that Saul once placed in him. Historically, the bodyguard was responsible for the king's safety, indicating that David was once seen as a protector of Saul's life. This phrase serves as a poignant reminder of the trust that has been broken by Saul's jealousy and fear.

and highly respected in your house
The phrase "highly respected" (נִכְבָּד, nichbad) suggests honor and esteem. In the Hebrew culture, respect within one's house was a reflection of one's character and reputation. Ahimelech is pointing out that David's reputation is well-deserved and recognized by all, including Saul's own household. This serves as a critique of Saul's irrational behavior and a call to remember the values of honor and respect that should govern a king's actions.

(14) Who is so faithful among all thy servants?--The words of the high priest were quiet and dignified, and no doubt spoke the general sentiments of the people respecting David. What he--the guardian of the sanctuary--had done, he had done as a matter of course for one so closely related to the king--for one, too, ever loyal and devoted as David had ever proved himself.

Verses 14-16. - Ahimelech's answers are those of an innocent man who had supposed that what he did was a matter of course. But his enumeration of David's privileges of rank and station probably only embittered the king. In his eyes David was of all Saul s officers the most faithful, both trusty and trusted (see on 1 Samuel 2:35). He was, moreover, the king's son-in-law; but the next words, he goeth at thy bidding, more probably mean, "has admission to thy audience," i.e. is thy privy councillor, with the right of entering unbidden the royal presence (comp. 2 Samuel 23:23, margin; 1 Chronicles 11:25). Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? Though the meaning of these words is disputed, yet there seems no sufficient reason for taking them in any other than their natural sense. It was probably usual to consult God by the Urim and Thummim on all matters of importance, and David, as a high officer of Saul's court, must often have done so before starting on such expeditions as are referred to in 1 Samuel 18:13. But the Bible is singularly reticent in such matters, and it is only incidentally that we learn how fully the Mosaic law entered into the daily life of the people. But for this frightful crime we should not even have known that Saul had brought the ark into his own neighbourhood, and restored the services of the sanctuary. But just as he took care to have Ahiah in attendance upon him in war, so we cannot doubt but that his main object in placing the priests at Nob was to have the benefit of the Divine counsel in his wars. It would be quite unreasonable to suppose that such consultations required the king's personal attendance. Thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. Whatever Ahimelech had done had been in perfect good faith, and though David's conduct must have seemed to him suspicious, yet there was nothing that would have justified him in acting differently. Nevertheless, in spite of his transparent innocence, Saul orders the slaughter not only of God's high priest, but of the whole body of the priesthood whom he had placed at Nob, and now had summoned for this ferocious purpose into his presence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Ahimelech
אֲחִימֶ֛לֶךְ (’ă·ḥî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 288: Ahimelech -- 'brother of a king', an Israelite name, also a Hittite name

answered
וַיַּ֧עַן (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

the king,
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

“Who
וּמִ֤י (ū·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

among all
בְכָל־ (ḇə·ḵāl-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

your servants
עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

is as faithful
נֶאֱמָ֔ן (ne·’ĕ·mān)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 539: To confirm, support

as David,
כְּדָוִ֣ד (kə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

the king’s
הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

son-in-law,
וַחֲתַ֥ן (wa·ḥă·ṯan)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2860: A relative by marriage, a circumcised child

captain
וְסָ֥ר (wə·sār)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

of
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

your bodyguard,
מִשְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ךָ (miš·ma‘·te·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4928: A pithy maxim, a simile, proverb, speak

[who is] honored
וְנִכְבָּ֥ד (wə·niḵ·bāḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

in your house?
בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ׃ (bə·ḇê·ṯe·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT History: 1 Samuel 22:14 Then Ahimelech answered the king and said (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 22:13
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