Bible Strands
1 Samuel 23:20
Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hand.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Ziphites speak to King Saul at Gibeah, reporting that David hides in the strongholds at Horesh on the hill of Hachilah. They promise to hand David over to Saul’s forces.
The words — The phrase לְכָל־אַוַּת נַפְשְׁךָ (le/khol-'a.Vat naf.she/Kha) literally renders “to all the desire of your soul.” The verb הַסְגִּירֹו (has.gi.R/o) means “to deliver him up,” denoting a formal surrender.
The thread — This proposed betrayal parallels the threatened handover at Keilah in 1 Samuel 23:12, where local leaders would surrender David to Saul. It stands in direct contrast to the loyal political maneuvering described in 2 Samuel 3:21.
Why it lands — The text records a precise offer of treason in exchange for royal favor. It asks the reader to note how political calculation replaces covenant loyalty when power is leveraged for personal gain.
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
Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 23:12 So David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” “They will,” said the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 18:6 Now if a Levite moves from any town of residence throughout Israel and comes in all earnestness to the place the LORD will choose,
- 2 Samuel 3:21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once, and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.
- 1 Kings 21:11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them.
- 2 Kings 10:5 So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your sight.”
- Psalms 54:3 For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah
- Psalms 112:10 The wicked man will see and be grieved; he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the desires of the wicked will perish.
- Proverbs 11:23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.
- Proverbs 29:26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.