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1 Samuel 23:21 "May you be blessed by the LORD," replied Saul, "for you have had compassion on me.
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for ye have compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Saul said, “Blessed <i>are</i> you of the LORD, for you have compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul said, “May you be blessed of the LORD, since you have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Saul said, “May you be blessed of the LORD, for you have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Saul said, “May you be blessed of the LORD; for you have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Saul said, “May you be blessed of Yahweh, for you have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Saul said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, because you have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“May you be blessed by the LORD,” replied Saul, “for you have shown concern for me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“May you be blessed by the LORD,” replied Saul, “for you have taken pity on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul said, Blessed be ye of Jehovah; for ye have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Saul told them: You've done me a big favor, and I pray that the LORD will bless you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Saul responded, "The LORD bless you for feeling sorry for me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Saul answered, "May the LORD bless you for being so kind to me! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul said, "May you be blessed by the LORD, because you have been gracious to me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?May you be blessed by the LORD,? replied Saul, ?for you have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Saul replied, "May you be blessed by the LORD, for you have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Saul said, "You are blessed by the LORD; for you have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Saul said, “You are blessed by Yahweh, for you have had compassion on me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul says, “Blessed [are] you of YHWH, for you have pity on me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Saul saith, 'Blessed are ye of Jehovah, for ye have pity on me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Saul will say, Blessed ye, by Jehovah; for ye had pity upon me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Saul said: Blessed be ye of the Lord, for you have pitied my case. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Saul said: “You have been blessed by the Lord. For you have grieved for my situation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Saul replied: “The LORD bless you for your compassion toward me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul said, “May you be blessed by the LORD for showing me compassion!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Saul said to them, Blessed be you of the LORD; for you have compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Shaul said to them: “You are blessed by God, for you have had pity on me!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Saul said: 'Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have had compassion on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Saul said to them, Blessed <i>be</i> ye of the Lord, for ye have been grieved on my account.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/23-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=6940" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Saul Pursues David</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hand.” <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">“May you</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: bə·rū·ḵîm (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">be blessed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">by the LORD,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Saul,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“for</a> <a href="/hebrew/2550.htm" title="2550: ḥă·mal·tem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- To spare. A primitive root; to commiserate; by implication, to spare.">you have had compassion</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāy (Prep:: 1cs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/54-1.htm">Psalm 54:1-7</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. When the Ziphites went to Saul and said, “Is David not hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might! / Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. / For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-8.htm">Matthew 2:8</a></span><br />And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/26-24.htm">Proverbs 26:24-26</a></span><br />A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. / Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm">Jeremiah 12:6</a></span><br />Even your brothers—your own father’s household—even they have betrayed you; even they have cried aloud against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-48.htm">Matthew 26:48-49</a></span><br />Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/41-9.htm">Psalm 41:9</a></span><br />Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-21.htm">John 13:21-27</a></span><br />After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” / The disciples looked at one another, perplexed as to which of them He meant. / One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/27-6.htm">Proverbs 27:6</a></span><br />The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-47.htm">Luke 22:47-48</a></span><br />While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/55-12.htm">Psalm 55:12-14</a></span><br />For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/15-31.htm">2 Samuel 15:31</a></span><br />Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-44.htm">Mark 14:44-45</a></span><br />Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-5.htm">Micah 7:5-6</a></span><br />Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms. / For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-12.htm">Acts 23:12-15</a></span><br />When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/52-1.htm">Psalm 52:1-4</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Maskil of David. After Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long. / Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Saul said, Blessed be you of the LORD; for you have compassion on me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/22-8.htm">1 Samuel 22:8</a></b></br> That all of you have conspired against me, and <i>there is</i> none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and <i>there is</i> none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/17-2.htm">Judges 17:2</a></b></br> And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred <i>shekels</i> of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver <i>is</i> with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed <i>be thou</i> of the LORD, my son.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/10-3.htm">Psalm 10:3</a></b></br> For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, <i>whom</i> the LORD abhorreth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-13.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-13.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-13.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/judges/21-15.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-16.htm">Concern</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-21.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">Saul</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/25-14.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-32.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-27.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-6.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-4.htm">Concern</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-10.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-24.htm">Saul</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-1.htm">David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm">God showing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-13.htm">he escapes from Keilah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">The Ziphites discover him to Saul</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-25.htm">At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-29.htm">He dwells at En Gedi</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>May you be blessed by the LORD,</b><br>This phrase reflects the common practice of invoking God's blessing as a form of gratitude or approval. Saul's use of "the LORD" indicates his acknowledgment of the God of Israel, despite his disobedience and moral decline. The invocation of a blessing here is ironic, as Saul is seeking to harm David, the Lord's anointed. This highlights the tension between Saul's words and his actions, a recurring theme in his reign. The blessing also reflects the cultural and religious practice of seeking divine favor, which was central to Israelite life.<p><b>replied Saul,</b><br>Saul's response is significant in the narrative of 1 Samuel, as it shows his continued pursuit of David, whom he sees as a threat to his throne. Saul's character is complex; he is a king chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. His reply here is part of his manipulative and desperate attempts to maintain power. This moment is set against the backdrop of Saul's deteriorating mental state and his increasing paranoia about David's rise.<p><b>for you have had compassion on me.</b><br>Saul's statement of receiving compassion is ironic, as he is the one pursuing David with the intent to kill him. The people he addresses are the Ziphites, who have informed Saul of David's whereabouts. This reflects the political dynamics of the time, where local tribes and groups often aligned with the reigning king for protection or favor. Saul's use of "compassion" is manipulative, as he seeks to justify his actions and gain support. This contrasts with the true compassion shown by David, who spares Saul's life on multiple occasions, demonstrating a Christ-like forbearance and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, who is in pursuit of David, perceiving him as a threat to his throne.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The anointed future king of Israel, who is fleeing from Saul's attempts to kill him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/z/ziphites.htm">Ziphites</a></b><br>The inhabitants of Ziph, who inform Saul of David's whereabouts, seeking favor with the king.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/z/ziph.htm">Ziph</a></b><br>A region in the wilderness of Judah where David is hiding.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The God of Israel, whom Saul invokes in his blessing to the Ziphites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_misplaced_trust.htm">The Danger of Misplaced Trust</a></b><br>Saul's reliance on the Ziphites' information shows the danger of placing trust in human schemes rather than seeking God's guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_irony_of_saul's_blessing.htm">The Irony of Saul's Blessing</a></b><br>Saul's invocation of God's blessing on the Ziphites is ironic, as his intentions are contrary to God's will for David.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_betrayal.htm">Responding to Betrayal</a></b><br>David's experience with the Ziphites teaches us to seek God's help and maintain integrity when betrayed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_misuse_of_god's_name.htm">The Misuse of God's Name</a></b><br>Saul's use of God's name to bless the Ziphites highlights the importance of sincerity and reverence when invoking God's name.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_adversity.htm">God's Sovereignty in Adversity</a></b><br>Despite Saul's pursuit, God's plan for David prevails, reminding us of God's control over our circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_doeg_alone_kill_many_priests.htm">Are there historical or logistical issues with Doeg, a single Edomite, carrying out the massacre of so many priests (1 Samuel 21:7 - 22:18-19)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_1_sam_13_1-2_and_acts_13_21_align.htm">How does 1 Samuel 13:1-2 reconcile with Acts 13:21, which states Saul reigned for forty years?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_david_allow_saul's_heirs'_execution.htm">In 2 Samuel 21:5-6, why does David permit the execution of Saul's descendants if Deuteronomy 24:16 forbids punishing children for a parent's wrongdoing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_david_use_the_ephod_for_guidance.htm">How did David consult the ephod for instant divine guidance in 1 Samuel 23:9-12 when similar direct communication is uncommon elsewhere in the Old Testament?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 21-23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ye have compassion on me.</span> There is something pitiable in Saul's answer. He had brooded over his rejection from being king, and the many indications that David was to be his successor, till he had become the prey of abject melancholy. He evidently regarded himself as a wronged and injured man, while David to his diseased imagination was ever conspiring against him and plotting his murder. With much prolixity he encourages them still to keep a close watch upon all David's movements, so as to know <span class="cmt_word">his place where his haunt is.</span> Literally, "his place where his foot will be," the place whither he goes for rest and refuge. The reason he gives for this long and close observation of David's doings is that <span class="cmt_word">it is told</span> him <span class="cmt_word">that he dealeth very subtilly</span>. That is, according to Saul's information, he behaved with the utmost prudence, ever keeping a careful look out against surprise, and using much skill to conceal his movements and to provide for his escape from danger. Finally, they are to return <span class="cmt_word">with the certainty</span> - with trustworthy and accurate information, and then Saul will gather his forces and <span class="cmt_word">search</span> David <span class="cmt_word">out throughout all the thousands of Judah</span>. These are the larger divisions of the territory of the tribe (<a href="/numbers/1-16.htm">Numbers 1:16</a>; <a href="/numbers/10-4.htm">Numbers 10:4</a>), throughout which Saul will hunt for him till he has got him into his power. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/23-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“May you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתֶּ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be blessed</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרוּכִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rū·ḵîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1288.htm">Strong's 1288: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by the LORD,”</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽיהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Saul,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁא֔וּל</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have had compassion</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲמַלְתֶּ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·mal·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2550.htm">Strong's 2550: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commiserate, to spare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on me.</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/23-21.htm">1 Samuel 23:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/23-21.htm">1 Samuel 23:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/23-21.htm">1 Samuel 23:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/23-21.htm">1 Samuel 23:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/23-21.htm">1 Samuel 23:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/23-21.htm">1 Samuel 23:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/23-21.htm">1 Samuel 23:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/23-21.htm">1 Samuel 23:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/23-21.htm">1 Samuel 23:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/23-21.htm">1 Samuel 23:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/23-21.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 23:21 Saul said Blessed be you of Yahweh (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/23-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 23:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 23:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/23-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 23:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 23:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>