Bible Strands
1 Samuel 22:13
And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Saul confronts the priest Ahimelech, demanding an explanation for his actions. This interrogation follows David’s escape and the discovery of the priest’s support.
The words — The Hebrew verb קְשַׁרְתֶּם (ke.shar.Tem) means “you conspired,” and לָ֚/מָּה (La./mah) translates literally as “why?” Both words anchor Saul’s direct accusation.
The thread — The charge of conspiracy repeats the pattern in 1 Samuel 22:8, where Saul questions his own court about the same alleged plot. The theme of false accusations against the faithful resurfaces in Psalm 119:69.
Why it lands — The text records Saul’s claim that Ahimelech aided David to overthrow him. It requires the reader to recognize how fear distorts perception and to test loyalty claims against actual actions.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 22:8 Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.”
- Psalms 119:69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
- Amos 7:10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words,
- Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”