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1 Samuel 19:14

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 19:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.
1 Samuel 19:14 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11And Saul sent messengers unto David`s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal, David`s wife, told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou wilt be slain.
12So Michal let David down through the window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.
13And Michal took the teraphim, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats` [hair] at the head thereof, and covered it with the clothes.
14And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.
15And Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.
16And when the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goats` [hair] at the head thereof.
17And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me thus, and let mine enemy go, so that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?
← 1 Samuel 19:131 Samuel 19:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when Saul sent messengers to take David, etc.] Either the same who in the morning inquired for David, or those staying longer than Saul expected, and fearing they were negligent or corrupted, he sent others: to whom she said, he [is] sick; and in bed, and cannot be spoke with; this lie she told through her affection to David, and to preserve his life; and this stratagem she devised to gain time, that while she was amusing the messengers with this tale of hers, before they could discover the truth of the matter David would be out of their reach; whereas, had she denied his being at home, or signified that he had made his escape, they would have immediately pursued after him, and he would…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“she said: Jos 2:5; Sa2 16:17-19, Sa2 17:20 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 19:15”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification