1 Samuel 19:16
 1 Samuel 19:16 
New International Version (©2011)
But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats' hair.

New Living Translation (©2007)
But when they came to carry David out, they discovered that it was only an idol in the bed with a cushion of goat's hair at its head.

English Standard Version (©2001)
And when the messengers came in, behold, the image was in the bed, with the pillow of goats’ hair at its head.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
When the messengers entered, behold, the household idol was on the bed with the quilt of goats' hair at its head.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
When the messengers arrived, to their surprise, the household idol was on the bed with some goat hair on its head.

International Standard Version (©2012)
The messengers went in, and there was the household idol in the bed with the cover of goat hair at its head!

NET Bible (©2006)
When the messengers came, they found only the idol on the bed and the quilt made of goat's hair at its head.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The messengers came, and there in the bed were the idols with the goat-hair blanket at its head.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his head.

American King James Version
And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.

American Standard Version
And when the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goats hair at the head thereof.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the messengers were come in, they found an image upon the bed, and a goat's skin at its head.

Darby Bible Translation
And the messengers came in, and behold, the image was in the bed, and the net of goats' hair at its head.

English Revised Version
And when the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goats' hair at the head thereof.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the messengers had come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goat's hair for his bolster.

World English Bible
When the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goats' hair at its head.

Young's Literal Translation
And the messengers come in, and lo, the teraphim are on the bed, and the mattress of goats' hair, for his pillows.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

19:11-24 Michal's stratagem to gain time till David got to a distance was allowable, but her falsehood had not even the plea of necessity to excuse it, and manifests that she was not influenced by the same spirit of piety which had dictated Jonathan's language to Saul. In flying to Samuel, David made God his refuge. Samuel, as a prophet, was best able to advise him what to do in this day of distress. He met with little rest or satisfaction in Saul's court, therefore went to seek it in Samuel's church. What little pleasure is to be had in this world, those have who live a life of communion with God; to that David returned in the time of trouble. So impatient was Saul after David's blood, so restless against him, that although baffled by one providence after another, he could not see that David was under the special protection of God. And when God will take this way to protect David, even Saul prophesies. Many have great gifts, yet no grace; they may prophesy in Christ's name, yet are disowned by him. Let us daily seek for renewing grace, which shall be in us as a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Let us cleave to truth and holiness with full purpose of heart. In every danger and trouble, let us seek protection, comfort, and direction in God's ordinances.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when the messengers were come in,.... To David's house, and into the room where he was supposed to lie:

behold, there was an image in the bed to their great surprise; they expected to see David, but instead of him the teraphim, as in 1 Samuel 19:13; if they had been in the room before, and thought they had seen David in the bed, they might be the more surprised to find that it was only an image they saw:

with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster; See Gill on 1 Samuel 19:13.


1 Samuel 19:16 Parallel Commentaries
Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Michal Saves David
15And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him. 16And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster. 17And Saul said to Michal, Why have you deceived me so, and sent away my enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said to me, Let me go; why should I kill you? …

1 Samuel 19:13 Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats' hair at the head.
1 Samuel 19:15 Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, "Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him."
1 Samuel 19:17 Saul said to Michal, "Why did you deceive me like this and send my enemy away so that he escaped?" Michal told him, "He said to me, 'Let me get away. Why should I kill you?'"