1 Samuel 19:15

15 And again Saul sent messengers, that they should see David, and he said, Bring ye him to me in the bed, that he be slain. (And Saul sent the men back to see David for themselves, and he said, Bring ye him to me in his bed, and then I shall kill him myself!)

1 Samuel 19:15 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 19:15

And Saul sent the messengers [again] to see David
Not to visit him, or to see how he was, or inquire of his health, in a kind manner, but to see his person, whether he was sick or not, and whether he was there or not; for Saul might suspect some deceit was used, because the messengers took the report of Michal, and saw not David, nor attempted to see him; but now they have strict orders to see him, and not take Michal's word as before, ( 1 Samuel 19:14 ) ; wherefore the supplement again may be left out:

saying, bring him up to me in the bed;
if so bad that he was not able to rise, or not fit to be taken out of his bed, his orders were, that he should be brought to him in it; resolved he was to have him, sick or well:

that I may slay him:
not content that he should die a natural death, or willing to wait for it, he is in haste, being full of wrath and malice, to slay him himself.

1 Samuel 19:15 In-Context

13 And Michal took an image (And Michal took an idol), and laid it on the bed of David, and she put a rough goatskin at the head thereof, and covered it with clothes.
14 Forsooth Saul sent sergeants, that should ravish David, and it was answered, that he was sick. (Then when Saul's sergeants entered to take hold of David, she said that he was sick.)
15 And again Saul sent messengers, that they should see David, and he said, Bring ye him to me in the bed, that he be slain. (And Saul sent the men back to see David for themselves, and he said, Bring ye him to me in his bed, and then I shall kill him myself!)
16 And when the messengers had come, a simulacrum was found on the bed, and skins of goat at the head thereof. (And when the men had come in, they found the idol on the bed, with a goatskin at its head.)
17 And Saul said to Michal, Why scornedest thou me so (Why hast thou so scorned me), and deliveredest mine enemy, (so) that he fled? And Michal answered to Saul, For he spake to me, and said, Deliver thou me, (or) else I shall slay thee.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.