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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 24:14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/24-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/09_1Sa_24_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 24:14 - David Spares Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? 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Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />After whom has the king of Israel gone out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog, after a single flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue [with three thousand men]? A dead dog, a single flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who has the king of Israel come after? What are you chasing after? A dead dog? A single flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who has the king of Israel come after? What are you chasing after? A dead dog? A flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why should the king of Israel be out chasing me, anyway? I'm as worthless as a dead dog or a flea. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? One flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Look at what the king of Israel is trying to kill! Look at what he is chasing! A dead dog, a flea! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />After whom is the king of Israel going out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog or a single flea? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Who has the king of Israel come out after? Who is it that you are pursuing? A dead dog? A single flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, or one flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog! After one flea!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'After whom hath the king of Israel come out? after whom art thou pursuing? -- after a dead dog! after one flea!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />After whom did the king of Israel come forth? after whom pursuest thou? after a dead dog? after one flea?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />After whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 24:15> Whom are you pursuing, O king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? You are pursuing a dead dog, a single flea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What is the king of Israel attacking? What are you pursuing? A dead dog! A single flea!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A single flea?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />After whom have you come out, O king of Israel? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, and after a flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />After whom have you come out, King of Israel, and after whom are you chasing, after a dead dog and after one flea?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now after whom dost thou come forth, O king of Israel? After whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog, and after a flea?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/24-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=7202" 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/24.htm">David Spares Saul</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">Against</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">has the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yā·ṣā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">come out?</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">are you</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: rō·ḏêp̄ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">pursuing?</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mêṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">A dead</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3611.htm" title="3611: ke·leḇ (N-ms) -- A dog. From an unused root means. To yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence a male prostitute.">dog?</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">A</a> <a href="/hebrew/6550.htm" title="6550: par·‘ōš (N-ms) -- A flea. Probably from para' and ash; a flea.">flea?</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”…<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="/1_samuel/26-20.htm">1 Samuel 26:20</a></span><br />So do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to look for a flea, like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:4</a></span><br />There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/25-6.htm">Job 25:6</a></span><br />how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-6.htm">Psalm 22:6</a></span><br />But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-14.htm">Isaiah 41:14</a></span><br />Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-24.htm">Isaiah 66:24</a></span><br />“As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-11.htm">Matthew 5:11-12</a></span><br />Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-25.htm">Matthew 10:25</a></span><br />It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-22.htm">Luke 6:22-23</a></span><br />Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. / Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-34.htm">Luke 23:34</a></span><br />Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19-21</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-13.htm">1 Corinthians 4:13</a></span><br />when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-8.htm">2 Corinthians 4:8-9</a></span><br />We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-10.htm">2 Corinthians 12:10</a></span><br />That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Philippians 2:7</a></span><br />but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.</p><p class="hdg">the king</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/6-20.htm">2 Samuel 6:20</a></b></br> Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/21-7.htm">1 Kings 21:7</a></b></br> And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, <i>and</i> eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.</p><p class="hdg">a dead dog</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/17-43.htm">1 Samuel 17:43</a></b></br> And the Philistine said unto David, <i>Am</i> I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/3-8.htm">2 Samuel 3:8</a></b></br> Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, <i>Am</i> I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/9-8.htm">2 Samuel 9:8</a></b></br> And he bowed himself, and said, What <i>is</i> thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I <i>am</i>?</p><p class="hdg">a flea</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/26-20.htm">1 Samuel 26:20</a></b></br> Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Judges 8:1-3</a></b></br> And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-51.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-43.htm">Dog</a> <a href="/hosea/5-12.htm">Insect</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-11.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-1.htm">Pursuing</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-21.htm">Single</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/25-39.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_samuel/9-8.htm">Dog</a> <a href="/job/4-19.htm">Insect</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-20.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm">Pursuing</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-1.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-20.htm">Single</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 24</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/24-1.htm">David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/24-8.htm">He shows thereby his innocence,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/24-16.htm">Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/1_samuel/24.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Against whom has the king of Israel come out?</b><br />This phrase is a rhetorical question posed by David, highlighting the absurdity of King Saul's pursuit. The Hebrew root for "come out" (יָצָא, yatsa) often implies a military campaign or a significant action. David is emphasizing the disproportionate nature of Saul's actions, as the king of Israel, anointed by God, is expending resources and energy to chase someone as insignificant as David, who poses no real threat. Historically, this reflects the tension between David and Saul, where Saul's jealousy and fear of losing his throne drive him to irrational actions.<p><b>Whom are you pursuing?</b><br />David continues with another rhetorical question, further emphasizing the futility of Saul's pursuit. The Hebrew word for "pursuing" (רָדַף, radaph) suggests a relentless chase, often used in contexts of hunting or warfare. This highlights Saul's obsession and the lengths he is willing to go to eliminate David. In a broader scriptural context, this pursuit can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual battles believers face, where the enemy relentlessly pursues those who are anointed by God.<p><b>A dead dog?</b><br />In ancient Near Eastern culture, dogs were often seen as unclean and despised animals. By referring to himself as a "dead dog," David is using a self-deprecating metaphor to illustrate his perceived insignificance and harmlessness. The Hebrew word for "dog" (כֶּלֶב, kelev) is often used derogatorily, and adding "dead" amplifies the sense of worthlessness. This phrase underscores David's humility and his recognition of his lowly status compared to the king. It also serves as a reminder of the biblical theme that God often chooses the lowly and despised to accomplish His purposes.<p><b>A flea?</b><br />Continuing with the theme of insignificance, David compares himself to a "flea," a tiny, bothersome insect. The Hebrew word for "flea" (פַּרְעֹשׁ, par'osh) is used to convey the idea of something small and inconsequential. This imagery reinforces the absurdity of Saul's pursuit and highlights David's humility. In a spiritual sense, this can inspire believers to recognize that, despite their perceived insignificance, God values them and has a purpose for their lives. It also serves as a reminder of the futility of human pride and the importance of humility before God.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">After a dead dog, after a flea.</span>--These homely but vivid similes are very common in Oriental discourse. David certainly, in his protestations of loyalty, could scarcely humble himself more than by drawing a comparison between the king of Israel in his grandeur and power and a poor dead dog--evidently an object held in special loathing by the Hebrews. "After a flea"--the original is even stronger, after "one flea" (a single flea)--"against <span class= "ital">a single flea," </span>which is not easily caught, and easily escapes, and if it is caught, is poor game for a royal hunter.--<span class= "ital">Berl. Bible </span>and <span class= "ital">Lange.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 14, 15.</span> - Finally, David makes a pathetic appeal to Saul, contrasting him in his grandeur as <span class="cmt_word">the king of Israel</span> with the fugitive whom he so relentlessly persecuted. In calling himself a <span class="cmt_word">dead dog</span> he implies that he was at once despicable and powerless. Even more insignificant is <span class="cmt_word">a flea</span>, Hebrew, "one flea," "a single flea." The point is lost by omitting the numeral. David means that it is unworthy of a king to go forth with 3000 men to hunt a single flea. As the king's conduct is thus both unjust and foolish, David <span class="cmt_word">therefore</span> appeals to Jehovah to be judge and <span class="cmt_word">plead his cause,</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> be his advocate, and state the proofs of his innocence. For <span class="cmt_word">deliver me out of thy hand,</span> the Hebrew is, "will judge me out of thy hand," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> will judge me, and by doing so justly will deliver me from thy power. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/24-14.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">Against</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרֵ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whom</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has the king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֣לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">come out?</span><br /><span class="heb">יָצָא֙</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Whom</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<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">pursuing?</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹדֵ֑ף</span> <span class="translit">(rō·ḏêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">A dead</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֔ת</span> <span class="translit">(mêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dog?</span><br /><span class="heb">כֶּ֣לֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ke·leḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3611.htm">Strong's 3611: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dog, a male prostitute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">A</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶחָֽד׃</span> <span class="translit">(’e·ḥāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flea?</span><br /><span class="heb">פַּרְעֹ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(par·‘ōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6550.htm">Strong's 6550: </a> </span><span class="str2">A flea</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/24-14.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 24:14 After whom is the king of Israel (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/24-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 24:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 24:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/24-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 24:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 24:15" /></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>