1 Samuel 19:15
New International Version
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.”

New Living Translation
But Saul sent the troops back to get David. He ordered, “Bring him to me in his bed so I can kill him!”

English Standard Version
Then Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.”

Berean Standard Bible
But Saul sent the messengers back to see David and told them, “Bring him up to me in his bed so I can kill him.”

King James Bible
And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

New King James Version
Then Saul sent the messengers back to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Saul sent messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me on his bed, so that I may put him to death.”

NASB 1995
Then Saul sent messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me on his bed, that I may put him to death.”

NASB 1977
Then Saul sent messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me on his bed, that I may put him to death.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So Saul sent messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me on his bed, that I may put him to death.”

Amplified Bible
Then Saul sent the messengers [again] to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me on his bed [if necessary], so that I may kill him.”

Christian Standard Bible
Saul sent the agents back to see David and said, “Bring him on his bed so I can kill him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul sent the agents back to see David and said, “Bring him on his bed so I can kill him.”

American Standard Version
And Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

Contemporary English Version
Saul sent the guards back and told them, "Bring David to me--bed and all--so I can kill him."

English Revised Version
And Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Saul sent the messengers back to see David themselves. Saul told them, "Bring him here to me in his bed so that I can kill him."

Good News Translation
But Saul sent them back to see David for themselves. He ordered them, "Carry him here in his bed, and I will kill him."

International Standard Version
Then Saul sent messengers to check on David. He told them, "Bring him to me on the bed so I may kill him."

Majority Standard Bible
But Saul sent the messengers back to see David and told them, “Bring him up to me in his bed so I can kill him.”

NET Bible
Then Saul sent the messengers back to see David, saying, "Bring him up to me on his bed so I can kill him."

New Heart English Bible
Then he sent the messengers to see David, saying, "Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

World English Bible
Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul sends the messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up in the bed to me in order to put him to death.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul sendeth the messengers to see David, saying, 'Bring him up in the bed unto me,' -- to put him to death.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will send the messengers to see David, saying, Bring him up in his bed to me to kill him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And again Saul sent to see David, saying: Bring him to me in the bed, that he may be slain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And again, Saul sent messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him to me on the bed, so that he may be killed.”

New American Bible
Saul, however, sent the officers back to see David and commanded them, “Bring him up to me in his bed, that I may kill him.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Saul sent the messengers to see David for themselves. He said, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul sent Messengers to see David, and he said: “Carry him to me in the bed to kill him”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying: 'Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he sends to David, saying, Bring him to me on the bed, that I may slay him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Michal Saves David
14When Saul sent the messengers to seize David, Michal said, “He is ill.” 15But Saul sent the messengers back to see David and told them, “Bring him up to me in his bed so I can kill him.” 16And when the messengers entered, there was the idol in the bed with the quilt of goats’ hair on its head.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 18:11
and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

1 Samuel 20:31
For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”

1 Samuel 23:15-16
While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. / And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God,

1 Samuel 24:2
So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

1 Samuel 25:29
And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling.

2 Samuel 5:10
And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him.

2 Samuel 15:14
And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Kings 6:13-14
So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city.

Psalm 59:1-2
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. / Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.

Psalm 18:17
He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me.

Psalm 37:32
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

Psalm 54:3
For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah

Psalm 56:6
They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

Matthew 2:13
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”

Matthew 2:16
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

Bring him.

1 Samuel 19:6
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

Job 31:31
If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

Psalm 37:12
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

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Bed David Death Kill Messengers Saul Slay
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Bed David Death Kill Messengers Saul Slay
1 Samuel 19
1. Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh
4. He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah
9. Hannah in grief prays for a child
12. Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her
19. Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned
24. She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord














But Saul sent the messengers back
This phrase highlights Saul's relentless pursuit of David, driven by jealousy and fear of losing his kingdom. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a deliberate action, often used in contexts of dispatching with authority. Saul's repeated sending of messengers underscores his determination and the extent of his obsession. Historically, this reflects the political instability and personal vendettas that characterized Saul's reign, contrasting with David's rising favor with God and the people.

to see David
The phrase "to see David" suggests a mission of verification. The Hebrew word for "see" (רָאָה, ra'ah) can imply more than just physical sight; it often denotes understanding or perceiving. Saul's intent was not merely to confirm David's presence but to ensure his vulnerability. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's anointed being under constant scrutiny and attack, yet under divine protection.

saying, 'Bring him up to me in his bed
Saul's command to "bring him up to me in his bed" reveals his desperation and the depth of his malice. The bed, a place of rest and vulnerability, becomes a symbol of Saul's intent to exploit David's weakness. The Hebrew context here emphasizes the personal nature of Saul's vendetta, as he seeks to control and eliminate David personally. This act of aggression against God's chosen servant highlights the spiritual battle between God's will and human defiance.

so I can kill him
The phrase "so I can kill him" starkly reveals Saul's murderous intent. The Hebrew verb for "kill" (מוּת, muth) is direct and final, indicating Saul's desire to end David's life without trial or mercy. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of the struggle between good and evil, where God's plans are often opposed by human sinfulness. Saul's intent to kill David, despite knowing his anointing, underscores the tragic decline of a king who once had God's favor but now acts in opposition to divine will.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Saul
שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

the messengers back
הַמַּלְאָכִ֔ים (ham·mal·’ā·ḵîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

to see
לִרְא֥וֹת (lir·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7200: To see

David
דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

and told them,
לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Bring
הַעֲל֨וּ (ha·‘ă·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

him
אֹת֧וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

up to me
אֵלַ֖י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

in his bed,
בַמִּטָּ֛ה (ḇam·miṭ·ṭāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4296: A bed, for, sleeping, eating, a sofa, litter, bier

so I can kill him.”
לַהֲמִתֽוֹ׃ (la·hă·mi·ṯōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT History: 1 Samuel 19:15 Saul sent the messengers to see David (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 19:14
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