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1 Samuel 19:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 19:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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 19:17 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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?
18Now David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
19And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.
20And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
← 1 Samuel 19:161 Samuel 19:18 →
← Full Chapter 19 1 Samuel Overview

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 Saul said unto Michal, etc.] After the messengers returned and reported what they had seen, when Saul either came to her at her house, or sent for her to his palace: why hast thou deceived me so; for deceiving his messengers was deceiving him, by pretending David was sick and in bed, when she had placed an image there, and had let him down through a window, and he was gone: and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? as if she was more obliged to gratify the wicked passion of a father, than to provide for the safety of her husband: and Michal answered Saul, he said unto me, let me go, why should I kill thee? though she was concerned for the preservation of her husband, yet not for his…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Why should I kill thee? - To avert Saul’s anger from herself, she pretended that David had threatened her life unless she facilitated his escape. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Why hast: Sa1 22:17, Sa1 28:12; Mat 2:16 mine enemy: Kg1 21:20; Gal 4:16 And Michal: Sa2 17:20 He said: Sa1 19:14; Exo 1:17-19 why should: Sa2 2:22 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 19:18”
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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